Foster Technical Center and Franklin Savings Bank worked together to give students “real-world” experiences. From left are Angie Alexander, Charles Craig, Josie Leadbetter, Thayne White, Christina Henderson, Travis Carignan, Amanda Lane, Zeke Hall and Regina Voter.

Tech students complete on-the-job training in banking

FARMINGTON – Students enrolled in the “Money and Banking” program at Foster Technical Center recently completed a rigorous training regiment and earned their Microsoft Office specialist certifications in MS Word and MS Excel. To earn the certification, students must master the software packages and pass a national exam from Microsoft.

Students in the course also learned about the banking industry, in the classroom and by receiving hands-on banking experience in the Mt. Blue High School branch of Franklin Savings Bank.

At the end of the course, students put into practice their skills “in the real world” at one of Franklin Savings Bank’s full-service locations. Students were placed as tellers in Jay, Wilton, Farmington and Rangeley branches.

“We always enjoy having the Foster Tech students at the bank. They are so eager to learn about banking,” said Dee LaPlant, vice president, customer service. “Sometimes, we see them later as employees and it’s great that they have a head start on the training.”

The course provides a mix of classroom instruction and hands-on experience. Students leave with a background in banking, finance and computer applications, which prepares them for entry into the workforce or college.

Students participating in the program were: Mt. Blue High School, Thayne White, Christina Henderson and Charlie Craig; Jay High School, Amanda Lane; Livermore Falls High School, Josie Leadbetter; and Rangeley Lakes Regional School, Travis Carignan and Zeke Hall. Students were under the direction of business education teacher Regina Voter and Franklin Savings Bank’s Angela Alexander.

“The school and students are very fortunate to have an opportunity to work so closely with Franklin Savings Bank,” said Voter. “The bank has provided the program with many resources, including books and employee time. The convenience of having a bank branch in the school right next to the classroom provides an optimal educational experience.”

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