Pub. 10 2019 Issue 2

www.wvbankers.org 6 West Virginia Banker Recruiting the Next Generation of Bankers A MESSAGE FROM THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE By Sally Cline W est Virginia banks employ over 10,700 people with various backgrounds, skill sets and job functions, and because many baby boomers who hold sen- ior-level positions are expected to retire in the next ten years, opportunities for advancement will be abundant for the next generation entering the workforce. Each year, thousands of students graduate from West Virgin- ia’s colleges and universities ready to start their careers. It is the perfect time for banks to assess and recalibrate their recruitment strategy. How can banks market themselves to these talented young professionals as great places to work? West Virginia’s institutions of higher learning and commercial banks have enjoyed a long history of partnerships and suc- cess. West Virginia bankers have supported higher education by serving on college and university boards, providing stu- dent scholarships, and serving as guest lecturers and speak- ers. College faculty and administrators also serve alongside bankers on community boards and civic organizations. So how do we, as an industry, grow these mutually beneficial relationships to help attract and retain the next generation of bankers, and hopefully prevent our college graduates from leaving the state? WVBankers can help by fostering programs with West Virginia’s colleges and universities to better communicate job opportunities to college students. Many colleges offer internship programs, and several banks already participate. Internships are an effective way to educate students and get them interested in a career in banking well before they enter the workforce. A well-structured summer internship can pro- vide students with a greater appreciation of the wide variety of jobs in banking as well as provide the bank with feedback from a younger generation’s perspective. WVBankers has also collaborated with WVU and Marshall University’s joint Center for Consumer Law and Education to host roundtable events with students majoring in various programs. The goal is to expose the students to the diverse career options in banking. Each campus event will feature a panel of bankers who serve in varying positions such as op- erations, lending, trust and wealth management, finance and accounting, technology and security, marketing and business development, and regulatory compliance, and will provide a forum to help interested students understand the opportu- nities that banking presents. These events will also include an opportunity for bankers to directly engage and discuss career opportunities with students. The WVU event will be held in late August, early September 2019, and the Marshall University event will be held at the end of the fall semester 2019. Look for more information in the weeks to follow. To further enhance these efforts, bankers should consider participating in college career days. These events are excel- lent opportunities to not only introduce your bank as a quality employer in your community, but also to educate students about the many exciting careers that exist within banking. Finally, one of the best ways to attract new talent – and to keep the talent you already have – is to focus on develop- ment. After all, hiring the right person is just the first step. The best banks follow through with ongoing training and talent development throughout their staff’s careers. Robust training programs help ensure that the new members of your workforce stay fresh in knowledge and enthusiasm, which will help your bank reap the talent rewards. WVBankers stands ready to assist our members in working with our colleges and universities to raise awareness about career opportunities in banking. Should you have other ide- as, please do not hesitate to bring them to our attention. 