Spotlight on Success: Makayla Griggs, Union Bank
I am the Training Coordinator at Union Bank of Vermont, a role I’ve proudly held for four years. Throughout my journey, CFTEA courses have played a major part in my growth, both professionally and personally.
One of the most eye‑opening classes for me was Engaging Adult Learners, it provided practical tools and insights that I now use every day when training new teammates. I also completed the Introduction to Leadership certificate, which taught me how important something as simple as body language can be in shaping how others view you as a leader. As someone who tends to be shy until I get comfortable, that course was truly transformative.
But the class that made the biggest difference in my career was ABA’s Principles of Banking. I started at Union Bank with no banking experience and a huge desire to learn. That course gave me the foundation I needed and sparked my motivation to continue taking more CFTEA classes.
My current goal is to earn the General Banking Diploma, and to help as many people as I can take CFTEA classes as well. CFTEA helped me get to where I am today. I went from a float teller with no experience to a Training Coordinator, responsible for training new teammates, in just six months. I recommend CFTEA to everyone because it gives people the opportunity to grow, learn, and build confidence in their roles.
If someone were unsure about taking a CFTEA course, I would tell them, just do it! Don’t hesitate. The classes are incredibly valuable, Union Bank covers the cost, and all you invest is your time. Once you gain that knowledge, it’s yours forever, and our upper management views it as a strong commitment to your growth and career advancement.
Having support from Andrew and Tammy at CFTEA is a huge asset. They are always available, always helpful, and go above and beyond to answer questions. I even share Andrew’s videos with our new trainees, and they absolutely love them, they really capture what CFTEA is all about.