BankWork$™ Partners with SER-Jobs for Progress to Bring Financial Services Industry Career Training Program to Houston
The free training program for low-income young adults partners with
leading local banks to provide a pathway to financial services industry
careers
HOUSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–BankWork$™, an eight-week free training program that places low-income
young adults and those with barriers to employment in jobs in the
financial services industry, announced today it has partnered with
SER-Jobs for Progress, a Houston non-profit organization dedicated to
providing education, job training and employment services for
communities in need, to expand its program to Houston. The partnership
with SER continues the national expansion goal to place 1,200 to 1,500
graduates in financial services industry careers annually by 2019.
“SER has an impressive operation in Houston, and they are dedicated to
providing training in the skills that employers demand,” said Colleen
Anderson, Executive Director at BankWork$™. “We’ve found a partner whose
values are well aligned with ours. Together, BankWork$™ and SER will
provide skills and job training to help ensure graduates are hired into
positions in the financial services industry and advance in their
careers.”
SER provides education, training and employment services that empower
individuals, businesses and communities. Founded in 1965 as a volunteer
job bank, the organization now works to place economically challenged
individuals into productive employment throughout the Greater Houston
area. SER recently celebrated 50 years of transforming lives and has
helped tens of thousands of Houstonians obtain employment.
“Everyone has potential to better their life,” said Nory Angel, SER
Executive Director and CEO. “In partnering with BankWork$, SER is able
to bring this proven program to the local community, equipping our
participants with the skills needed to break in to jobs in the financial
services industry and put them on track for a fulfilling career.”
The BankWork$™ program launched in Los Angeles in 2006 and has expanded
to Seattle, San Francisco, Phoenix and Portland, Oregon to date and
plans to launch operations in Houston, Denver and Chicago in 2016. The
organization partners with leading nonprofit vocational training
organizations in each market – organizations like SER – to offer the
free program to young adults from low-income communities and those with
barriers to employment. The eight week course equips graduates with the
hard and soft skills needed to become qualified candidates for in-demand
jobs such as tellers, customer service representatives and personal
bankers.
Bank of America, U.S. Bank, Wells Fargo and the Sheri and Les Biller
Family Foundation have each pledged $1 million to support a national
rollout that will bring the BankWork$™ program to more than 15 markets
over five years. The national expansion goal is to place 1,200 to 1,500
graduates annually in financial services industry positions by 2019.
About BankWork$™
BankWork$™ was started in 2006 in Los Angeles by The Sheri and Les
Biller Family Foundation in partnership with regional workforce
development leader JVS Los Angeles. The program currently has operations
in Los Angeles, Seattle, San Francisco, Phoenix and Portland, Oregon. As
part of a five-year, $4-million national expansion in partnership with
Bank of America, U.S. Bank and Wells Fargo, the program will expand to
Houston, Denver and Chicago in 2016 and to more than 15 markets by 2019.
For more information, see www.bankworks.org.
About SER
SER seeks to enhance the quality of life in the Hispanic community and
other communities in need by providing education, training and
employment services that empower individuals, businesses and
communities. SER – Jobs for Progress of the Texas Gulf Coast, Inc. was
founded in 1965 through the combined efforts of the League of United
Latin American Citizens (LULAC), the G.I. Forum and the Department of
the Navy. It began as a volunteer job bank for Hispanic Veterans and is
now a nationwide network of 42 affiliates operating in more than 200
offices. serhouston.org.
Contacts
Olmstead Williams Communications
Tracy Williams, 310-824-9000
tracy@olmsteadwilliams.com
