Associated Credit Union partners with Marietta High School’s Work-Based Learning Program for a new career pathway
NORCROSS, GA (April 11, 2023) — Associated Credit Union and Marietta High School partner to create a new career pathway for students. The new career pathway at Marietta High School’s College and Career Academy will allow students to work for Associated Credit Union’s e-branch department as junior interactive service representatives.
This groundbreaking partnership expands the student’s finance industry knowledge by allowing them real-world experiences. The students selected for this pathway were required to complete an interview process and are paid wages. The students underwent rigorous training with Associated Credit Union’s learning and development department to ensure that these new representatives are correctly servicing the member’s needs.
“The support from ACU has been tremendous. They are a champion for our students. The training has provided the support needed to build professionals for the future,” said Angela Sparks, Marietta High School’s Career Advisor and Youth Apprenticeship Coordinator.
Marietta High School’s Work-Based Learning Program helps students be successful in today’s working world. Students have the opportunity to gain a solid foundation of knowledge and skills before they leave high school. The students involved in Associated Credit Union’s program will assist with the daily video servicing from the member through the interactive teller machines. These duties could range from deposits to withdrawals, and even assisting the member with making loan payments. The interactive teller machines or ITMs are an enhanced version of an ATM, allowing a high-tech and personalized feature of including a video screen to chat with a representative about your account. Associated Credit Union has 23 interactive teller machines in the metro Atlanta area, Augusta area, Dawsonville, and Carrolton. The far-reaching effect of these machines allows the students to assist any of the over 156,000 members within the state of Georgia using the interactive teller machine technology.
“This program is such an amazing accomplishment. We appreciate Marietta High School for allowing ACU the space and support while serving our community. We are very excited for the future of this program and are very proud to provide a space for students without transportation to gain work experience and knowledge of the financial industry,” said Heiwote Tadesse, Executive Vice President of Member Relations at Associated Credit Union.
Associated Credit Union and Marietta High School held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate this momentous partnership which included remarks from one of the two students selected to be a junior interactive service representative; Angela Sparks; Heiwote Tadesse; and Raj Subramanian, Business Development Specialist. The event attendees included Marietta High School’s interim principal, Marco Holland, along with other Marietta High School faculty, local community members, and Marietta Area Chamber of Commerce members. Attendees were able to network following the event and view the space in which the two students work.
Associated Credit Union team member, Marietta High School faculty, local community members, and Marietta Area Chamber of Commerce members gather to celebrate the partnership between Associated Credit Union and Marietta High School.
About Associated Credit Union
Associated Credit Union, a $2 billion financial institution that serves more than 156,000 members at 18 locations in Atlanta, Augusta, Carrollton, and Dawsonville, offers members financial products that fulfill their needs, service that exceeds their expectations, and relationships that inspire their trust. The Associated Credit Union Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, provides fundraising and volunteer opportunities for employees and members to support charitable organizations. For more information about Associated Credit Union, visit acuonline.org or like and follow @AssociatedCU on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
