A record 45 incoming seniors from Miami-Dade public schools have graduated from this year’s Future Bankers’ Camp, an innovative four-week program which ended June 27.
Now in its seventh year, the camp provides hands-on experience for future students interested in financial services industry careers, providing math, communication and financial literacy skills to complete their internship and receive industry certification.
The camp is hosted by Miami Dade College and the Center for Financial Training and sponsored by CareerSource South Florida and 15 participating institutions ( highest number ever), including 13 banks, the Florida International Bankers Association and the South Florida Banking Institute.
Participants include Ocean Bank, BankUnited, Intercredit Bank, City National Bank, Continental National Bank, Community Bank of Florida, Espirito Santo Bank, Florida International Banking Association, Mercantil Commercebank, Popular Community Bank, Professional Bank, Regions Bank, TD Bank, the South Florida Banking Institute and Wells Fargo Bank.
Ocean Bank which provided the original seed money for the program that e0ncourages minority participation in the financial system sponsored 22 interns this year.
“We’re excited to be a part of this program and we have seen its effectiveness and the students’ enthusiasm firsthand,” said Ocean Bank Senior Vice President and CFT board member Cheryl Rees.
“Not only does this internship give students crucial ‘hands-on’ experience at a bank, it helps build teamwork and communication skills valuable in any career. Perhaps above all, it promotes financial literacy. – one of the most critical habits for young people (or anyone) to master for managing their lives and building their futures.”
Students are enrolled in Miami-Dade Public Schools Academy of Finance programs at Barbara Goleman Senior High School, Coral Gables Senior High School, Coral Reef Senior High School, Mater Academy East Senior High School, Miami Jackson Senior High School, North Miami Beach Senior High School, and Sunset Senior High School.
Upon successful completion of the camp, all become eligible to receive the American Bankers Association/American Institute of Banking (AIB) Bank Teller Certificate. This national industry standard certificate meets the educational requirement for the certification exam offered by the Institute of Certified Bankers. Students who graduate can also work towards an A.S. degree in Financial Services.
CFT Executive Director Connie Laguna is certain the program will grow in 2015.
“We’ll be able to provide this opportunity to serve more students next year, and I think we’re going to see a lot more participation from banks, now that they are seeing the program’s results,” said Ms. Laguna.
The Miami-Dade Public Schools Academy of Finance program is a member of the National Academy Foundation, a national network of career academies to support the development of America’s youth toward personal and professional success in high school, higher education and throughout their careers. Fifteen Miami-Dade high schools have Academy of Finance career academies.
For more information, visit www.sfcft.org.
