The Greater Bank Finance Academy is set to deliver its pilot Fundamentals of Financial Literacy Program to more than 500 high school students across the Hunter in partnership with the University of Newcastle.
On Wednesday, nominated university student ambassadors studying business, commerce and teaching, along with Greater Bank staff volunteers, participated in an intensive training program run by academics and university staff to provide the knowledge and skills necessary to deliver the pilot financial literacy program to schools.
The program is part of a five-year partnership between the two Hunter based institutions, which has seen the establishment of the Greater Bank Finance Lab, coupled with the delivery of community education programs and practical workshops.
Starting in term two, 20 high schools will expose their students to the pilot Fundamentals of Financial Literacy Program, which focuses on informed financial decision-making when managing money.
The course content covered with these schools as well as feedback from students and educators involved will help shape the evolution of the program, which is planned to be rolled-out in its entirety from 2020.
Greater Bank Head of Marketing and Customer Experience, Matthew Hingston said he is thrilled to be working with the university on such an important initiative that will encourage young people to question how they think about money and achieve set financial objectives.
“The program demonstrates the alignment that exists between our organisations to a commitment and mutual support of improving the lives of individuals and community connectedness through financial literacy,” Matthew said.
“We will harness the strength of the university’s theoretical background with the application of Greater Bank’s practical, real-world experience to develop an industry-first program that will extend to benefit young people in the community.”
The Greater Bank staff involved in facilitating the program will focus on delivering the practical content, while the university staff will challenge students to think about their relationship with money and look at the theory and broader strategies behind money management.
Pro Vice-Chancellor, Faculty of Business and Law, Professor Tony Travaglione said the Greater Bank Finance Academy provides valuable and innovative opportunities to support the Hunter community to build skills and improve their financial literacy.
“We look forward to working together to prepare the next generation for the real financial world and play a part in building the financial literacy of the region’s communities,” Tony said.
The pilot program will run for the remainder of the year, with the final content and structure established for the schools-based program set to inform broader community based and University focused workshops moving forward.
IMAGE | Newcastle Business School Senior Lecturer, Dr David Savage (centre) talking through the program content with Greater Bank’s Raymond Terrace Branch Manager, Amy Dodd, and University of Newcastle commerce student, Kurtis Heaney, who will both be involved in delivering the program to high school students across the Hunter and beyond.