Augusta Technical College is kicking off a new program to train people interested in jobs in the world of banking and finance.
The Greater Augusta Banking and Finance Institute is not a college course in the traditional sense. It is under the umbrella of continuing education, a way for people to develop skills in demand at financial institutions.
Julie Langham, Vice President of Economic Development, told ABD the institute is the brainchild of the college’s banking and finance partners who said they wanted to develop a pipeline of workers.
“We put together the pilot program, which is more of a short-term program for students to come in and learn about the banking and finance industry and the benefits to really being in those careers,” she explained. “This short-term educational program not only opens doors to a wide array of career opportunities, but also empowers students to enter a rewarding and successful career. They will hear firsthand from our partners about the industry, learn valuable tools to prepare for work, and ultimately have an opportunity to connect with those making hiring decisions.”
One of the partners is First Citizens Bank. In a news release announcing the institute, Penny Wasden, Senior Vice President, agreed the program is important to developing a workforce trained for banking and finance.
“When thinking about careers, financial services is not always top of mind, but it is critical to the success of a community to have professionals that are well versed and passionate about helping others achieve financial success. Financial principles, banking navigation, and financial services can be taught. A heart for helping people and a desire to create a professional career is where it starts,” she said.
Other partners are F&M Bank, Pinnacle Bank, South State Bank, SRP Federal Credit Union, and Queensborough Bank.
Langham said the new program is similar to others they have offered for specific industries, such as manufacturing and construction.
“We’re finding that students may not have two years or a year to go to school, but they do desire to learn, and they desire to connect with the folks that are hiring,” she said. “So, we’ve put together an intro class, a boot camp, expose them to everything we can. We do award them with a certificate at the end that they can share on social media and have a little graduation at the end.”
The boot camp can also serve as an introduction to a new Banking and Finance Specialist Technical Certificate of Need course Augusta Tech hopes to offer beginning in January 2025. They have applied to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) for approval.
The first institute will run June 14 to 28 at the Augusta Tech campus in Grovetown. Langham said there are still a few openings for this boot camp. It will be offered again in late August with two more before the end of the year.
The Greater Augusta Banking and Finance Institute is free to attend. Additional information is available at the Augusta Technical College website under Economic Development https://ce.augustatech.edu/
