by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
One of the complaints employers often express about trying to hire high school graduates is they just don’t have the necessary job skills. One solution is specialized education in the form of magnet schools or “academies.”
VyStar Credit Union sponsors the St. Johns County School District’s Academy of Business and Finance and has given the term “real life experience” a whole new meaning. The “Bartram Bear Branch” celebrated its grand opening this week at Bartram Trail High School and with the exception of lending services, it has everything every other VyStar branch location has down to the carpet, wall coverings and corporate art.
The similarities in the former first-floor classroom that has been converted into a credit union don’t end with the furnishings and fixtures.
“It’s very hands-on,” said Bartram Trail High School’s Director for Career Education Jay Steele. “The students are responsible for opening and closing. They’re also responsible for $10,000 in cash and all the auditing and balancing every day.”
He was quick to add there is also a safe as well as video surveillance and security systems just like at the other VyStar branches.
The partnership between the credit union and the school actually began last summer when six Bartram Trail students were put through the same 10-week branch manager training course given to all VyStar managers.
“Part of the instruction was at the corporate headquarters and part of it was conducted at the VyStar Julington Creek branch, where the student tellers were also trained,” said Steele.
Six of the students in the program are also full-fledged VyStar employees and some work at the Julington Creek location on weekends.
There are only two differences between the Bartram Bear Branch and other VyStar locations: services are limited to checking and savings accounts and the branch is only open to students, teachers and staff. Loan inquiries are referred to the VyStar office at Julington Creek.
As a limited-service location, the Bartram Bear Branch can’t produce the same profit margin as other locations, but profit wasn’t the main motivation behind the partnership.
“This is a unique opportunity for the credit union to play a role in educating our young people in Northeast Florida on financial matters that could affect them over their entire life. We’re proud to be part of the Academy of Business and Finance,” said VyStar Credit Union President and CEO Terry West.
“This is the kind of experience that can’t be taught in a classroom. VyStar is truly making a difference in the students’ education and their futures,” said Steele, who also said, “And they’ll get people who will join (the credit union) in the 9th grade and then be customers for life.”
Even considering the short time the VyStar Bartram Bear Branch has been open, Steele said it has been a hit with students and faculty alike.
“It’s very convenient to have the credit union here on campus. I’ve already made three transactions there myself,” he said.