Rory Ritrievi, CEO and president of Mid Penn Bank and John “Ski” Sygielski, HACC president and CEO presented the program to over 60 guests at Mid Penn University in Harrisburg Tuesday morning.
Mid Penn Bank (MPB) is collaborating with HACC to offer free higher education to its current employees as well as to Harrisburg area high school students interested in pursuing a career in banking.
Through the partnership, the first 15 credits of coursework will focus on understanding the financial services industry while earning a Mid Penn Bank Banking Certificate. After completion of the certificate, Mid Penn Bank will fund the remainder of the associate bachelor’s degree program for its employees as they advance in their careers.
Participants in the program will be employed by Mid Penn Bank and admitted as HACC students. They will enjoy the same resources and support from the community college, according to John “Ski” Sygielski, HACC president and CEO.
HACC representatives will facilitate the courses in general business, accounting management, and marketing.
Classes will be held at one of the Mid Penn financial centers in Schuylkill County, Dauphin County, Cumberland County or Lancaster, according to Rory Ritrievi, CEO and president of Mid Penn Bank.
The program will provide a laptop, textbooks, program required materials, group mentoring, and a “MPB closet.” The closet offers free business professional clothing for students who join the program after graduating from high school.
More than 60 guests, including many Mid Penn employees and HACC educators, attended the event at the new Mid Penn University, 2405 Park Drive, Harrisburg. The facility opened in January of 2020 to provide training for the bank’s employees.
Eight school districts were represented at the event to announce the partnership: Harrisburg School District, Carlisle Area School District, West Shore School District, Millersburg Area School District Steelton High Spire, Halifax School District, Bishop McDevitt High School, and Cumberland Valley School District.
Over 60 guests ranging from Mid Penn employees to central Pennsylvania educators attended the program kickoff event.
Ritrievi hopes other companies will follow the concept of developing their employees by helping to fund their education.
It’s important for companies “to invest in the development of their employees and to help them pursue outside education,” said Ritrievi. “I think this is a no brainer, and it’s bringing together two world-class organizations to help strengthen, educate, and develop employees throughout central Pennsylvania and hopefully beyond.”
“Mid Penn has such a good and growing reputation in this very competitive market pace,” Sygielski said, “and I’m appreciative of this because we see education as the being the future whatever that may be; online or in person; certificate, diploma, or degree; or whatever it may be to make employees of Mid Penn stronger.”
Participants would have two and a half years of work experience, he said, plus “a well-paying job, a comfortable environment, a world-class education, and they wouldn’t have to come out of pocket for anything.”
Ritrievi sees the program strengthening diversity in the bank’s staff by encouraging more high school seniors to enter banking. The bank introduced the program to students at Sci Tech High this year.
“I think this might help us attract more minority applicants, and that’s a big win because if you look at any financial institution in the area, you know minority people are underrepresented,” said Ritrievi. “It would be an objective of mine to have it look more like the population in this country.”
Current employees in good standing with at least six months of work experience at mid Penn Bank and graduating high school students are eligible to participate.
Graduating seniors will begin at an entry-level position through Mid Penn and current employees will still receive full benefits as they’re attending class as well, Ritrievi said.
The first course begins in January 2023 and Paola Sanchez-Barroso is one of the 13 participants who will be a part of the first course.
After graduating from Central Dauphin East high school, Sanchez-Barroso started working as barista and food runner. Then, she worked at three different banks within a nine-year period.
But the 29-year-old said Mid Penn Bank is her last stop. She began working for the company in May in its student loan department.
“As a first-generation Latina, I think it’s such a great opportunity for myself and for any other communities within central Pa,” said Sanchez-Barroso. “I love working for Mid Penn ever since the very first day, and was even more excited to tell my family. They’re so happy for me and they can’t wait for me to get started.”
Persons interested in enrolling in the program can submit resumes to [email protected].
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