The financial and insurance services industry is a changing sector of the economy that offers many dynamic careers for people who are good with numbers, customers and have an acute attention to detail. Due to expanding operations offering a wider range of services the financial industry will need to attract and retain qualified employees to meet their customers’ financial needs.
The Finance Career Cluster prepares students for careers in financial and investment planning, banking, insurance and business financial management. Finance career opportunities are available in every sector of the economy and require skill in organization, time management, customer service and communication.
Students in this youth apprenticeship learn and practice skills that prepare them for diverse post-secondary opportunities. These opportunities could include two or four-year college programs, apprenticeships or employment. Students in this apprenticeship have the option to participate in the following pathways:
- Business Financial Management
- Accounting Services Basic Unit
- Accounting Services Advanced Unit
- Banking and Related Services Pathway
- Banking Basic Unit
- Banking Advanced Unit
- Insurance
- Insurance Services
- Entering junior year or senior status
- Display a genuine interest in the Finance Pathway
- Interview effectively and are hired in an finance position
- Maintain a high level of attendance in school and on the job
- Secure transportation to the job
- On-track for high school graduation
Recommended: Take finance related classes before starting this youth apprenticeship
Students take courses at their high school that are part of the program of study for finance that provide the related classroom instruction needed to compliment the worksite training. Such courses can include:
- Accounting I
- Accounting II or Advanced Accounting
Talk to your School to Career Coordinator or Business Instructor for further information.
The employer provides opportunities to experience the basics of finance careers in relation to the competency checklist. They provide a mentor to guide and train the student. The employer also evaluates the student on a quarterly basis.
The student can be employed in a bank, credit union, accounting firm, insurance agency, accounting department of a company as examples. They also are able to provide the student with the competency-based training in the finance area that is specific to the student’s career interest. The positions for these students are usually 2-3 hours a day after 1 p.m. The student needs to be employed a minimum of 450 hours for the one year program and 900 hours minimum for the two year program.
Credit between school districts varies, but typically the student will receive 1/2 – 1 credit per semester for the work experience and the same for their classroom training. All students should receive a wage according to the type of work they are performing.