Executive Letter: BankWork$ Expands Program to Waukesha County
By Rose Oswald Poels
Some of the most inspiring events I get to attend as president and CEO of WBA are the graduation ceremonies for BankWork$ students in Milwaukee. It was a joy to attend the August graduation ceremony, and I was proud to present a sponsorship check from WBA to BankWork$ instructor Adrienne Wright. That ceremony was particularly special because it was the 20th graduating class.
With the success of BankWork$ in Milwaukee, WBA is excited to share that BankWork$, which is facilitated by Employ Milwaukee, has expanded to the Waukesha area. Their inaugural class began in August, and the cohort of three promising new graduates finished the program in early October.
Each time I attend a graduation, I am struck by the enthusiasm and positivity of the graduates. Knowing that these individuals have received excellent and thorough training to help them succeed in frontline or other entry level positions in the banking industry in Wisconsin is heartening.
For some background on this impactful program, BankWork$ is an occupational skill development program, which provides eight weeks of retail banking career training. It is a nationwide program that was brought to Wisconsin in 2019 through a partnership between WBA and Employ Milwaukee.
It was developed to open a door for young adults and adults from low-income and minority communities to help them find and succeed in well-paying jobs that can lead to a lasting career.
Participants in the BankWork$ program must be 18 years or older, have a high school diploma or GED, have basic computer skills, and previous cash handling and customer service experience. Employ Milwaukee assesses individuals prior to enrollment to ensure eligibility requirements are met. The BankWork$ classes are provided at no cost to the participants.
The training prepares job seekers for success in occupations including bank teller, customer service representative, relationship banker, and personal banker. Training topics include workplace professionalism, deepening the customer relationship, financial services fundamentals, and preparing for employment. The program also facilitates connections between candidates and local banks/financial institutions. Employer partners receive exclusive access to a graduation ceremony and hiring event after each class.
It is great to witness bank staff interacting with the new graduates after the ceremonies. Banks who hire these individuals can be assured that they have both the hard and soft skills needed for successful employment. There are so many opportunities for growth and career development within our industry, so it is truly the start of a meaningful career when graduates find positions at banks.
If you are interested in becoming a BankWork$ employer partner, please contact Oscar Delgado at 414-270-1785 or Oscar.Delgado@employmilwaukee.org.
Look for profiles on BankWork$ graduating classes in Wisconsin Banker Daily and Wisconsin Banker. You’ll see the enthusiasm and excitement in the photos!
Thank you to the banks currently sponsoring the BankWork$ program:
• Associated Bank
• Bank Five Nine
• BMO
• First Federal Bank
• Johnson Financial Group
• Old National Bank
• The Equitable Bank
• Town Bank
• WaterStone Bank
Click here to check out the Rose on the Road video from the 20th BankWork$ graduation.
