Program That Trains Banking Workers Celebrates 100th Class

A free program that helps retrain people to work in the banking industry celebrated a milestone on Friday.

Tina Davis was one of more than 50 graduates of Goodwill's 100th banking and customer service class.

Davis, who graduated at the top of her class and with an armful of awards, has already landed a banking job after being out of work for nearly a year.

"It's for a WDA phone representative with Wachovia at the CIC building on W. T. Harris Boulevard, and I start Monday!" she exclaimed.

Brenda Gillis came as a supporter, but eight years ago she too graduated from a Goodwill banking class.

"And (my career) just took off from there," she said.

Gillis has been with BB&T ever since.

"I did learn new skills that I did not have from my previous career, but then also with their connections and their networking, they were able to place me with BB&T,” she said.

But the banking industry is downsizing. It’s already laying off hundreds of workers in the Charlotte area this year.

Chip Haynes with Wells Fargo, which now owns Wachovia, said there are still positions for the graduates.

“The customer service is continuously there," he said.

In addition to customer service, Goodwill banking graduates are also qualified for positions in teller services and technical support.

"It really gives them one step up," Haynes said.

“They just empower you to do the unthinkable, the impossible,” Davis said.

Through all of Goodwill's training courses last year, the organization helped place more than 2,700 people into jobs. This year, it will surpass 3,000.