Press

Heritage Trust continues to give back with youth apprentice program for IT students

CHARLESTON, SC (December 12, 2019) — Since 2016, Heritage Trust has provided opportunities for IT students to gain invaluable on-the-job training through a partnership with Trident Technical College’s Charleston Regional Youth Apprenticeship program. The credit union recently added its latest student apprentice in IT, Sheldon Crosby, who will work in the IT department for two years while he is finishing a degree in computer science and networking at Trident Tech. Former program graduate, Bryson McIntosh, now works full-time as part of the organization’s IT team.

Only 4 in 10 U.S. college students feel well-prepared according to the 2018 Future Workforce Survey from McGraw-Hill Education. More than half of the students reporting in the survey said increased access to internships and professional experiences would have helped them feel better prepared for careers. The U.S. Department of Labor acknowledges this need and is encouraging business leaders to offer apprenticeships to better prepare the American workforce for skilled in-demand jobs.

Through Heritage Trust’s program, participants have the opportunity to not only further their career pathway track in IT, but also learn skills in collaboration and teambuilding, communication and performance. Youth apprentices receive over 1,000 hours of credit union paid on-the-job training while obtaining their degree.

“We’re excited to welcome Sheldon to the Heritage Trust team. Through this program, students like Sheldon not only gain valuable on-the-job training while learning about the various career pathways in the I.T. sector, but also have the opportunity to get a glimpse into how a financial institution operates,” said Robin Ward, Vice President of Information Technology.

Heritage Trust is motivated to narrow the talent gap for in-demand jobs such as those in information technology. Not only do apprenticeships provide the value of new skills, students have the opportunity to “earn while they learn” and reduce student debt.

Students who participate in and complete the two-year program will receive:

Two years of paid employment and mentoring from an industry professional
A high school diploma (if not already granted)
One year of college credit from TTC free of charge
A completion certificate for coursework that may be applied to an associate degree
National credentials from the U.S. Department of Labor
Two years of work experience
Marketable skills for life

Other notable information:
The Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce helps ensure funding to cover the costs of tuition, books and material for the apprenticeship-related college courses.

Sheldon Crosby, the newest IT Student Apprentice to join Heritage Trust.

About Heritage Trust Federal Credit Union

Heritage Trust Federal Credit Union was founded in 1955 and is now one of the largest credit unions in the greater Charleston Metro area with $650 MM in assets and serving over 50,000 members. With trust as a core value, the credit union offers a full suite of products, from savings, checking and investment options to real estate and commercial lending and business solutions.