Press
Heritage Trust partners with Berkeley County School District and will open student-run branch at Goose Creek High School
BERKELEY, SC (March 9, 2015) — On Friday, March 6th Heritage Trust Federal Credit Union and Berkeley County School District formally signed the Berkeley Career Academy partnership agreement. The Career academy is a small learning community that provides a college preparatory curriculum with career related themes. Through this partnership students from seven public high schools in Berkeley County may apply to attend the Academy where they can be dually enrolled to begin school credits before graduation. Students may choose from pathways including Arts and Humanities, Business and Information Systems, Health Sciences as well as Engineering (STEM).
As the platinum-level partner, Heritage Trust will fund the opening of the Lowcountry’s first student-run branch at Goose Creek High School. This facility will be located on the campus and fully staffed by students enrolled in the Business and Information Systems division of the Career Academy. Branch activities will include opening new memberships, processing transactions and issuing debit cards for students, faculty and staff members. Students will receive formal employee training through Heritage Trust Federal Credit Union over the summer in preparation for the in-school branch grand opening slated for August 2015.
“We have been working on this initiative for several years, looking for the right place to start. We are pleased the Berkeley County School District and Goose Creek High School were open to this project,” commented Heritage Trust President/CEO, Jim McDaniel. “Heritage Trust is dedicated to financial education and advocacy. What better way to prepare students for their future than by providing the tools and resources needed to learn the correct way to manage finances while still in High School.“
Dr. Rodney Thompson, Berkeley County School District Superintendent said, “As we move forward with innovation in our schools, the Berkeley County School District is excited to collaborate with Heritage Trust Federal Credit Union to house an in-school branch at Goose Creek High School, the first of its kind in the tri-county area. This partnership will provide our students with the opportunity to be college and career ready in the multi-faceted world of business and finance. “
About Heritage Trust
Heritage Trust Federal Credit Union is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2015. Heritage Trust is $480 million dollar institution serves around 50,000 members and has 12 branch locations and over 300 Select Employer Groups throughout Charleston, Dorchester, Colleton and Berkeley Counties.