HARRISBURG, PA — The Career and Leadership Skills Academy, a collaboration between Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) and the Pennsylvania Bankers Association (PA Bankers), is doubling its capacity as it prepares to offer expanded opportunities for students exploring careers in the banking industry.
Funded by a $250,000 Industry Partnership grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry, the program will increase its internship capacity from 75 to 150 students starting in summer 2025. The Academy provides a 10-week curriculum featuring live online sessions that equip students with leadership, teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills essential for professional success.
The initiative, which began as a partnership between Shippensburg University and PA Bankers, will now include instructors from Commonwealth, Indiana, and Kutztown universities. It aims to provide students with a deeper understanding of the industry’s varied career opportunities, from banking operations and auditing to human resources and information technology. Academy graduates will receive a digital badge verifying their training, which can be shared across professional platforms.
“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 of PASSHE.
PA Bankers will also design a new career exploration website as part of the grant’s expansion goals. The resource will outline the many pathways within banking, detailing anticipated salaries, education requirements, and future growth opportunities. The site will be accessible to high schools, colleges, and workforce investment boards, targeting individuals of all ages considering banking careers or transitioning from other fields.
“Banks are critical to the commonwealth,” said PA Bankers President and CEO Duncan Campbell. “This program helps showcase the vast career opportunities within the banking industry while providing the tools to build a skilled and qualified workforce.”
The Academy is open to student interns at member banks across Pennsylvania, including those not enrolled at PASSHE institutions. This initiative reflects a broader effort to support workforce development and meet the evolving demands of Pennsylvania’s economy.
Labor & Industry Secretary Nancy A. Walker highlighted the program’s impact on the state’s workforce. “This investment helps connect more students to the resources and training they need to build family-sustaining careers. It demonstrates how collaboration with employers and educators can meet high-demand industry needs across the Commonwealth.”
The expanded Academy positions Pennsylvania as a leader in developing future professionals for one of its critical industries, bridging the gap between education and employment while stimulating local economies.
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