SAUGUS — Northeast Metro Tech Superintendent David DiBarri announced a new partnership with Reading Cooperative Bank to create a federally-recognized banking apprenticeship program for students in the Business Technology Program to partake in.
There are currently 53 students enrolled in the Business Technology Program, one of those students a Saugus resident, Zackary Berkowitch.
Berkowitch said he is excited to be spending the rest of his senior year participating in this trimester-long banking class, in the Northeast Metro Tech branch of Reading Cooperative Bank, that will occur during the school day.
“I think it’s a great opportunity not only for myself, but for anyone who wants to do it,” Berkowitch said. “I’m taking full advantage of it and I’m hoping to be part of the team for a long time.”
Berkowitch applied to be a part of this program, which is recognized by the Massachusetts Office of Labor and Workforce Development, because he has always had an interest in money.
If Berkowitch and the other participating students complete the trimester, they can earn 150 hours toward their apprenticeship. Students in the program must then complete another 450 hours of work at the Reading Cooperative Bank.
Upon completing the co-op program successfully, or during the program, students must work at the Reading Cooperative Bank either part-time or full-time to earn more experience. Once students complete 2,000 total hours at Reading Cooperative Bank, they will earn the banking apprenticeship.
“I’m looking forward to completing it (the apprenticeship) so I can work full time,” Berkowitch said. “I’m doing this and I have a business on the side, selling rare coins … I love it. I hope to be doing this and my other business next year (after graduation.)”
While other school-based bank branches in Massachusetts closed permanently during the COVID-19 pandemic, Reading Cooperative Bank kept its relationship with Northeast Metro Tech, reopening its branch inside Northeast Metro Tech in September, 2021.
“We are proud to offer Northeast Metro Tech students yet another opportunity to take a pathway to a career, and our innovative banking apprenticeship offered in partnership with Reading Cooperative Bank will aid our students who are seeking careers in the banking field,” said Superintendent DiBarri. “This program is at the heart of what we do here at Northeast Metro Tech: We create opportunities and paths forward for our dedicated, driven, and talented students.”
