Press

GNCU education branch teaches students a variety of skills

Greater Nevada Credit Union (GNCU) has a history of providing financial education throughout the communities it serves. That includes its education branch, opened in 1996 inside of Carson High School (CHS), which gives students an opportunity to gain real-world job experience, earn class credit, and learn about managing money while attending school.

Open to a total of 18 juniors and seniors every year, the Banking course is offered within the school’s Career Technical Education (CTE) series and includes six modules:  money management, borrowing, earning power, investing, financial services and insurance.  Students apply for the course when they submit their class preferences for the following academic year.  Students are selected for the Banking Class by the CHS Guidance office.  They receive training in GNCU’s system so that they can perform basic transactions at that branch when school is in session. Students also learn skills in teamwork, problem-solving, and providing great service to credit union members.

CHS senior Morgan Nelson says she’s learning about more than just financial education and credit, while senior Ernesto Lamas says the class is also teaching him about investing and planning for retirement. Regarding the work experience gained, senior Derek Redlark says, “If we do want to pursue a career or future in banking, we already have good skills.”

“These kids are driven,” said Julie Slocum, GNCU’s Education Branch Coordinator.  “They need to have a 3.0 or above grade point average to take this class and most are going onto college.”

Slocum says that she also encourages her students to participate in community involvement opportunities, and for those staying local after completing high school she discusses what opportunities there might be at Greater Nevada, where several former CHS education branch students have pursued their careers.

For more information about Greater Nevada Credit Union’s Carson High School Education Branch, as well as other financial education resources and programs offered, visit gncu.org.

---