New Mainers get training for financial services industry

File Photo / Tim Greenway Among the six Maine financial institutions teaming to train New Mainers is Infinity Federal Credit Union, whose CEO, Elizabeth Hayes, center, is shown opening a Portland branch in 2017.

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By Staff

Six Maine banks and credit unions are partnering with Portland Adult Education to help immigrant residents prepare for teller jobs in the financial services industry.

The New Mainer Teller Training Program began earlier this month with 15 students from nine countries, and runs until April, according to a news release Wednesday.

The 165-hour, six-course curriculum was developed in part by the Maine financial institutions, and their personnel are teaming with Portland Adult Ed instructors to lead classwork. The participating institutions are Bank of America, Bangor Savings Bank, cPort Credit Union, Gorham Savings Bank, Infinity Federal Credit Union and Norway Savings Bank.

ProsperityME, the Center for Financial Training & Education Alliance, and the Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce are also helping out with the program.

Portland Adult Ed says the training is a win-win: New Mainers get entry into the financial services industry, while the banks and credit unions can tap a new pool of experienced professionals from diverse backgrounds.

“This course is a great example of a community-wide collaboration that will help not only our students to succeed but also will benefit the Greater Portland community and state,” Portland Public Schools Superintendent Xavier Botana said in the release. “Maine has a labor shortage and the skills and experience of new Mainers are needed to help address it.”

The inaugural class members, selected from 30 applicants, originate from countries including China, Iraq and Zambia. All 15 students have financial or customer service experience, and many have undergraduate or even graduate degrees.

Student Mohammed Baqer has a bachelor’s degree in physics and used to work on the Iraq Stock Exchange. He is excited to re-enter his field. “I would love to be a professional teller in the future to help our community,” he said.

Todd Beacham, a Bank of America senior vice president, commented: “The New Mainer Teller Training is a great example of the business community, the banking sector, and Portland Adult Education working together on workforce development. I am confident that this is only the beginning of our collaborative efforts.”