Cleveland Banks Invest in Hispanic Community with Teller Training Program

Strategic Insights -

Cleveland banks are investing in the local Hispanic community with a teller training program that aims to provide new career opportunities for residents. National City Bank, Fifth Third Bank, and Third Federal Bank have contributed to the program, which provides free training to students in core curriculum, computer skills, and communications. The program has seen promising results, with half of the graduates from the first program receiving job offers from local banks. The organizers are hoping to increase the number of banks supporting the project and ultimately see 60 of its training program graduates hired for every year the course is offered.

Key Takeaways:

  • The teller training program at El Barrio Inc. received a combined $50,000 to $60,000 from National City Bank, Fifth Third Bank, and Third Federal Bank to launch the program.
  • The program is designed to provide 120 hours of core curriculum, including computer skills, communications, handling cash, and business math, as well as "occupational awareness" lessons such as making sense of job benefits and insurance plans.
  • So far, the program has only had women students, many of whom are single mothers, and applicants must have earned a high school or equivalency diploma and be able to communicate clearly in English.
  • The program is taught in English, with some topics covered in both English and Spanish, to accommodate bilingual clients.
  • Classes meet from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday in an old branch building of Third Federal Bank.
  • The program is free to students, but will cost sponsors around $1,000 per person.
  • Half of the graduates from the first program received job offers from local banks, and at least three banks have expressed interest in interviewing members of the newest class.
  • The organizers are hoping to see 60 of its training program graduates hired for every year the course is offered, and are actively seeking financial commitments for next year's program.

Statistics:

  • 8 students graduated from the first eight-week session of the program.
  • 18 students are currently enrolled in the program.
  • The program has received a combined $50,000 to $60,000 from National City Bank, Fifth Third Bank, and Third Federal Bank to launch the program.
  • The program costs sponsors around $1,000 per person.
  • Half of the graduates from the first program received job offers from local banks.
  • At least three banks (National City, Charter One, and Fifth Third) have expressed interest in interviewing members of the newest class.

Sources:

  • Cleveland banks invest in local Hispanic community with teller training program, The Plain Dealer, no date (citation only provided in text).
  • Joanne Clark, vice president at National City Bank and manager of its charitable contributions in the North Coast, quoted in The Plain Dealer.
  • Chris Larson, director of El Barrio Inc., quoted in The Plain Dealer.
  • Joann Juarbe-DeJesus, instructor at El Barrio's teller training program, quoted in The Plain Dealer.