Hayleys prepares undergrads for corporate careers
The Hayleys Internship Programme (HIP), launched in June 2012 to assist undergraduates to explore their unique strengths within corporate management, saw its first batch of undergraduates successfully conclude an eight-week internship recently.
Participants of the programme spent two months at the diversified blue-chip conglomerate, working on tangible project-based assignments within their respective fields of specialisation. During the course of the programme, interns participated in interactive and informal discussions with Hayleys Sector Heads, who shared personal and corporate experiences and provided a glimpse into diverse managerial roles. The interns were also exposed to several training sessions geared towards enhancing leadership, communication, image building and presentation skills.
The management of Hayleys expects the programme to continue on an annual basis. “HIP has proved to be a valuable training ground. With the completion of the twomonth internship, we believe these participants are adequately prepared to take up corporate responsibilities,” stated Hayleys HeadGroup Human Resources Sunil Dissanayake. “The HIP graduates embraced the corporate environment by not only completing the assignments given to them but in also pursuing other activities, representing the group in external corporate events and embarking on a social responsibility project of their own choice.” The interns visited the Suhada Lanka Girls’ Home in Willorawatta Moratuwa, engaging the children in entertaining activities including indoor and outdoor games and handing over dry rations and stationery packs to each child.
Adjudged Sri Lanka’s Best Corporate Citizen four times, the Hayleys group employs more than 30,000 people and accounts for 2.51 percent of the country’s export income.