Harrisburg, PA – A collaboration among universities in Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) and the Pennsylvania Bankers Association (PA Bankers) will double in size this year with additional professional and leadership development opportunities for interns and the creation of a new website designed for all ages to explore the various career opportunities within the banking industry.

The PASSHE Foundation was awarded a $250,000 Industry Partnership grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) to expand the Career and Leadership Skills Academy from 75 students to 150 students in the summer of 2025.

“PASSHE universities are proud to collaborate with PA Bankers to give student interns real-world experience to prepare for rewarding careers and to provide the talent that Pennsylvania employers need,” said Interim Chancellor Christopher Fiorentino. “We appreciate the support of L&I and PA Bankers for the funding to expand this initiative to serve more students, and I commend all of our participating universities.”

The Career and Leadership Skills Academy is a collaboration between Shippensburg University and PA Bankers that provides 10-week, live online sessions for interns of member banks. Through the program, students build fundamental professional skills in leadership, teamwork, problem-solving, critical thinking, communication and networking.

In addition to Shippensburg University, the academy is expanding to include instructors from Commonwealth, Indiana and Kutztown universities within the PASSHE system.

The academy helps students expand their understanding of career opportunities in the banking industry, including roles in banking operations, auditing, human resources, information technology and more.

The online sessions are led by experts in early talent career development and tailored to the skills and competencies required by member banks.

Academy graduates receive a digital badge that can be shared on digital resumes, email signatures, social media and other platforms to verify completion of the training.

PA Bankers’ member banks have the opportunity to enroll their summer college interns in this program. Participating students do not need to be enrolled in a PASSHE university.

“PA Bankers is excited to once again partner with PASSHE to expand the Career and Leadership Skills Academy by recruiting more interns from our member banks and developing a career pathways tool to showcase the vast career opportunities within the banking industry,” said Duncan Campbell, PA Bankers’ president and CEO. “Banks are critical to the commonwealth. Whether you are looking for a steady career path, to serve your community or expand your current skills, the banking industry offers career opportunities for everyone.”

The grant will also fund the development of a careers in banking website outlining the various career opportunities in banking, anticipated salaries, career pathways and future growth opportunities, education and training opportunities and current job openings within the commonwealth. The career exploration tool will be designed for all ages – high school students, college students or adults looking to advance their careers or switch from a different industry altogether.

“Making strategic investments in Pennsylvania’s workforce is a key way the Shapiro Administration is ensuring our Commonwealth stays on the rise,” said L&I Secretary Nancy A. Walker. “This investment helps connect more students to the resources and training they need to build family-sustaining careers in the banking industry and is a great example of how we can meet the needs of high-demand industries across Pennsylvania through collaboration with employers, educators and community organizations.”

The banking careers tool will be available to high schools, colleges and local workforce investment boards across the commonwealth to provide assistance to students and adults looking for a career.

About PASSHE
Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) is the public university system of the commonwealth with a mission to provide a high-quality education at the lowest possible cost to students. The State System annually confers more than 20,000 degrees and has more than 800,000 living alumni, most of whom live in Pennsylvania. The State System universities are Cheyney, Commonwealth (Bloomsburg, Lock Haven and Mansfield), East Stroudsburg, Indiana, Kutztown, Millersville, PennWest (California, Clarion and Edinboro), Shippensburg, Slippery Rock and West Chester universities of Pennsylvania.

About PA Bankers
PA Bankers has been bringing banks and bankers together for more than 130 years to learn, grow, serve and engage with their peers, communities and lawmakers. The association has built a strong reputation as a leading advocate for banking policies at the state and federal levels, as well as the delivery of quality education, products and services for banks of all sizes and their employees.