Start Your Future in Banking/Financial Services
EXPLORE REAL BANKING CAREERS, WORK WITH CUSTOMERS, AND GET PAID WHILE YOU LEARN
The INCAP Retail Banker Apprenticeship Program (AP) gives high school students hands-on experience helping customers manage their money while exploring careers across the banking industry.
Train and work as a teller or customer service representative
Get exposure to credit analysis, loan operations, and other bank functions
Learn how middle- and upper-level banking roles like branch management work
Build relationships and support customers' financial well-being
What You'll Earn
- High school diploma with Employment Honors Plus seal
- INCAP credential, recognized by every bank in Indiana
Is This Apprenticeship Right For You?
This could be a great fit if you…
Enjoy math and working with numbers
Want to develop strong professional skills
Are interested in a corporate environment and how businesses run
Are curious about general business functions, such as sales, IT, marketing, or finance
What You'll Actually Do
HELP CUSTOMERS WITH THEIR EVERYDAY BANKING NEEDS
Work as a teller or customer service representative
Help customers with deposits, withdrawals, and account questions
Build relationships with customers and support their financial well-being
Serve as a frontline representative of the bank
LEARN HOW MONEY MOVES THROUGH A MODERN BANK
Handle cash and process transactions accurately
Manage checking and savings accounts
Use digital banking tools and banking technology
Apply skills in everyday customer interactions
GET EXPOSURE TO HOW BANKS LEND MONEY
Learn the basics of credit analysis
Get experience in loan operations
Understand how banks evaluate and support customer borrowing
Explore careers in lending and credit
HELP KEEP CUSTOMERS AND THE BANK SAFE
Follow banking compliance and security procedures
Learn how banks protect customer information and assets
Apply attention to detail in every transaction
Build habits that meet industry standards
WORK AS PART OF A BANKING TEAM AND BUILD REAL-WORLD SKILLS
Communicate clearly with customers and coworkers
Practice customer service, sales, and marketing
Learn the basics of management and business operations
Build confidence, responsibility, and strong work habits
HELP CUSTOMERS WITH THEIR EVERYDAY BANKING NEEDS
Work as a teller or customer service representative
Help customers with deposits, withdrawals, and account questions
Build relationships with customers and support their financial well-being
Serve as a frontline representative of the bank
LEARN HOW MONEY MOVES THROUGH A MODERN BANK
Handle cash and process transactions accurately
Manage checking and savings accounts
Use digital banking tools and banking technology
Apply skills in everyday customer interactions
GET EXPOSURE TO HOW BANKS LEND MONEY
Learn the basics of credit analysis
Get experience in loan operations
Understand how banks evaluate and support customer borrowing
Explore careers in lending and credit
HELP KEEP CUSTOMERS AND THE BANK SAFE
Follow banking compliance and security procedures
Learn how banks protect customer information and assets
Apply attention to detail in every transaction
Build habits that meet industry standards
WORK AS PART OF A BANKING TEAM AND BUILD REAL-WORLD SKILLS
Communicate clearly with customers and coworkers
Practice customer service, sales, and marketing
Learn the basics of management and business operations
Build confidence, responsibility, and strong work habits
Typical Apprenticeship Timeline
11th Grade
3 days/week at employer and 2 days/week in school
Paid work $12–17/hour
Summer
Summer hours are highly encouraged and should be agreed upon between the apprentice and employer
Paid work $12-17/hour
12th Grade
4 days/week at employer and 1 day/week in school
Paid work $12-17/hour
Summer
4+ days/week at employer
Paid work $12-17/hour
At completion, graduates have three options
Start your career in Banking/Financial Services
Continue learning in college
Keep training in an INCAP adult program
Schedules may vary based on your employer.
Real Jobs You Can Land After This Program
The Retail Banker Apprenticeship Program prepares you to move directly into banking roles — from entry-level to senior specialist positions (depending on the size of the bank) — with real experience that employers value. Common roles INCAP graduates are prepared for include:
Teller/Senior Teller
Loan Officer
Credit Analyst
Assistant Branch Manager
Relationship/Personal Banker
- And many more
Banking/Financial Services Employers Participating in INCAP
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Apprenticeship spots are limited and based on where you live, and opportunities are not listed online. Your school counselor or regional INCAP Connector can help you explore your options.
Common Questions
Program Basics
How much do Retail Banker apprentices get paid?
INCAP Retail Banker apprentices typically earn between $12 and $17 per hour, with the exact rate depending on the bank. Because Retail Banker apprentices are employees of the bank, they fall under their employer's policies for benefits, performance reviews, and pay increases over time.
When does the apprenticeship start and how long does it last?
Students begin exploring banking careers as early as 8th and 9th grade through career exploration activities and planning with their school counselor. Students apply and interview when they’re in 10th grade.
The INCAP Retail Banker apprenticeship officially begins in 11th grade and lasts two years, year-round, including summers.
What does a typical weekly schedule look like?
An INCAP Retail Banker apprentice follows a weekly schedule that changes over time as apprentices gain experience:
11th grade: Three days per week at the bank, with the other two days at school
Summer after 11th grade: At least three days per week working with employer
12th grade: Four days per week at the bank, with one day at school
Summer after 12th grade: At least four days per week working with employer
When Retail Banker apprentices are on-site, the goal is six-hour days, typically from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with schedules set in coordination with their employer. Students and employers work together to identify schedules that meet both parties' needs, allowing students to potentially continue participating in extracurricular activities, including those that take place during the summer.
What is the work environment like?
INCAP Retail Banker apprentices work in real banking settings such as bank branches and corporate offices. The environment is professional and customer-focused, where apprentices work alongside tellers, loan officers, branch managers, and other banking professionals.
Retail Banker apprentices should be comfortable working in a corporate setting that requires attention to detail, professional communication, and excellent customer service.
What You'l Learn & Earn
What skills will I learn?
As part of the INCAP Retail Banker apprenticeship, you'll learn a mix of banking, professional, and business skills that prepare you for careers across the financial industry.
Banking-specific skills: Cash handling, checking and savings accounts, digital banking, credit analysis, loan operations, and banking technology
Compliance & security skills: Understanding banking compliance and protecting customer information
Professional skills: Communication, customer service, sales, marketing, and basic management
Industry knowledge: How the banking industry works and its role in the community
What classes will I take?
Students will not be required to take any banking-specific courses at their high school because all relevant coursework will be taught to apprentices during their time at the bank. The only requirement for students is that they are able to complete the high school classes they need to graduate and fulfill the work-based learning hours required by the apprenticeship.
What will I earn when I complete the apprenticeship?
Through this apprenticeship, students will meet the key requirements for Indiana’s new Employment Honors Plus diploma seal: completing at least 650 hours of work-based learning and earning an INCAP credential, which is recognized by the Indiana Department of Education as a Credential of Value. The diploma seal and the INCAP credential are recognized by banks across Indiana as indicators of industry experience, and the INCAP credential may count toward college credit in a related degree program.
What Happens Next
What jobs can I get after completing the Retail Banker apprenticeship?
After completing an INCAP Retail Banker apprenticeship, you will be prepared for a wide variety of entry-level or senior-level specialist positions (depending on the size of the bank), such as:
Teller/Senior Teller
Loan Officer
Credit Analyst
Assistant Branch Manager
Relationship/Personal Banker
- And many more
Many Retail Banker apprentices are hired directly by their employer or continue working within banking after graduation.
What are my options after the program?
After completing an INCAP Retail Banker apprenticeship, you have several options:
- Start working full-time in banking
- Go to college and potentially finish a business- or finance-related degree faster with earned credits for your INCAP credential
- Continue with the INCAP Career Program for adults to work toward a professional degree equivalent to an academic bachelor’s degree
The Retail Banker apprenticeship helps students build a strong foundation within multiple careers in banking and business.
Applying And Getting Started
When should I start preparing for this apprenticeship?
You can start preparing for an INCAP Retail Banker apprenticeship in 9th and 10th grades by exploring careers, attending career-related events, and talking with your school counselor.
If you’re interested in a Retail Banker apprenticeship, you should work with your school counselor to update your four-year graduation plan. Then, you can apply for available apprenticeships.
Because opportunities vary by location and are not listed online, your local INCAP Connector and school counselor will guide you through the application process and help you find available openings.
How do I find available apprenticeship opportunities?
Retail Banker apprenticeship opportunities are not listed online and vary by location. To find available opportunities, talk to your local INCAP Connector or school counselor.
Where can I find more detailed information about this program?
If you or your family wants a deeper look at the INCAP Retail Banker apprenticeship, you can review the full occupation profile and a detailed student journey, which walks you through what to expect from early career exploration through graduation.
- Occupation Profile (PDF, 2 pages)
- Student Journey At A Glance (PDF, 1 page)
These documents include detailed information about responsibilities, schedule, requirements, and career pathways.