05 Sep 2023

Goodwill partners with CareerWork$, CAEL to offer new career training program in banking

Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont is partnering with CareerWork$ and The Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) to train and upskill people in the Charlotte Region for careers in banking.

The Charlotte Region is home to more than 91,000 financial services jobs, and it is the second-largest banking center in the nation. With no other workforce development programs dedicated to the financial industry in the greater Charlotte Region, Goodwill is expanding its training division to offer the BankWork$ program so that people have equitable access to career development opportunities.

“We envision a community where equitable access to career opportunities is available for all,” Chris Jackson, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont, said. “We recognize that skilled training is an essential part of helping to build our growing city, and having these skills can lead to in-demand, high potential careers.”

CareerWork$ partners with experienced workforce development and nonprofit organizations, like Goodwill, around the country to operate their programs. On a national level, the BankWork$ program has a 73% placement rate.

“CareerWork$ is thrilled to partner with Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont to bring BankWork$ to the Charlotte Region,” Ranko Fukuda, interim executive director, said. “Through this partnership, we hope to help many in the community launch careers with excellent  growth potential in the financial services industry.”

BankWork$ is an eight-week intensive workforce services program that will give people the skills, access, and coaching needed to succeed and grow in banking careers— from understanding the financial services workplace to bank regulations, bank products, cash handling, and processing customer transactions. Graduates are prepared for roles such as: associate banker, branch banker, client services representative, lead teller, member service consultant, personal banker, relationship banker, teller, and call center representative. 

Additionally, the program will engage prospective employers in the community during the duration of the program to provide industry insight and integrated recruitment opportunities. 

“CAEL is grateful for Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont’s leadership in bringing this much-needed, short-term career training program to the Charlotte community through Truist Foundation’s Where It Starts: Build Better Careers initiative,” Earl Buford, president of CAEL, said. “We’re excited to see how our partnership continues to unfold as we work together to create opportunities for more individuals in the Charlotte area to connect with good jobs in the financial services sector.”

Learn more about the program here.

Related Content

03 Nov 2025 Mecklenburg says ‘Yes For Meck’: Voters pass 2025 transportation referendum

The “Yes for Meck” organization is pleased to announce that the countywide transportation referendum has been approved by voters in Mecklenburg County. This marks a pivotal milestone in the region’s efforts to modernize its transportation infrastructure and bolster long-term economic and community mobility. The $20 billion transportation… Read More

Speaker presenting at Boston EE 2025 event with audience and screen in background.
14 Oct 2025 Exploring Economies: Boston showcases innovation, connectivity, and collaboration

This year, the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance’s Exploring Economies trip took local leaders and members of the business community to Boston, Massachusetts. At first glance, the East Coast powerhouses of Boston and Charlotte appear worlds apart. Their histories, demographics, and urban development tell different stories—Boston, a centuries-old city with nearly… Read More

Group discussion at IQM 2025 conference with people seated and taking notes.
01 Sep 2025 CEO Harry Sideris: Duke Energy positioning itself to meet rising energy needs

Meeting future energy needs presents a “monumental challenge,” but Duke Energy President and CEO Harry Sideris is ready to rise to the occasion. Speaking at the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance Investor Quarterly Meeting in a conversation moderated by CLT Alliance Board Chair David Longo, Sideris reflected on his career path,… Read More