In April, KBA was excited to announce a new opportunity for banks across Kansas that impacts the state’s workforce and teaches students about the banking industry and financial literacy. The new partnership with Jobs for America’s Graduates – Kansas (JAG-K) allowed bankers to participate during “JAG-K with the KBA Week” on April 18 through 22 and visit their local JAG-K classrooms.

The idea of this partnership came from KBA’s Young Bank Officers of Kansas (YBOK) Division, who partnered with JAG-K last year during their annual conference to meet Wichita-area students and talk about careers in banking and financial literacy. That idea has grown to take these efforts statewide!

“The Kansas banking industry recognizes the benefit of helping Kansas employers connect with talented and trained young employees,” said Alex Orel, SVP of Government Relations at KBA. “Well-trained, qualified employees at every level are essential to the future of Kansas’ financial institutions. We are excited to help JAG-K learn about these exciting opportunities.”

JAG-K is an in-school, evidence-based program that works with students facing various barriers to success, overcoming those barriers, graduating from high school, and getting on a productive and meaningful career path uniquely suited to their skills and passions.

“It was such a great experience participating in the JAG-K with the KBA Week. It provided an opportunity to highlight the Kansas banking industry that we all know and love, but I was also able to talk about the many benefits and career opportunities available to future graduates,” said Taylor Stos, First State Bank & Trust in Tonganoxie. “We even got to discuss the importance of personal finance and some tips on achieving their own financial goals best. Thank you to the JAG-K program and the KBA for putting on such a fantastic program!”

JAG-K serves more than 4,300 students in 81 programs in 43 school districts across the state. Some of these students are the most educationally at-risk and economically disadvantaged students in their schools. Yet, JAG-K students had a graduation rate of 97% over the past four years!

“Career exploration, employability skills, and financial literacy are significant components of the evidence-based JAG model. The KBA helped our students in all three areas during our JAG-K with the KBA event,” Chuck Knapp, JAG-K President & CEO, said. “We appreciate the time and interest in helping our students prepare for successful futures. We believe this investment in our youth will result in stronger communities throughout Kansas.”

More than 25 Kansas banks either visited their local JAG-K classrooms or invited JAG-K classrooms to visit the bank for a tour and presentation. Bankers not only shed light on financial literacy but also that banking offers diverse, challenging and rewarding careers in agricultural lending, bank administration, accounting, security, compliance, commercial banking, human resources, public relations, marketing, and much more. KBA is excited to partner again next year with JAG-K to connect bankers with JAG-K students.

“We couldn’t have asked for a better partner than JAG-K in our financial literacy and workforce development efforts,” Grant Paitz, YBOK Division President from INTRUST Bank in Wichita, said. “Chuck Knapp, Kim Fertig, and all of the career specialists at JAG-K made it easy to volunteer in high school classrooms with this fulfilling opportunity. JAG-K students — seniors, in particular — were engaging and asking great questions about career opportunities and financial decisions beyond high school. I’m already looking forward to doing this again next school year.”

Thank you to each banker for taking the time to participate in this fantastic opportunity and for jumpstarting this fruitful partnership with JAG-K.