Citizens announced on Tuesday a new $20 million commitment over the next three years to support workforce development programs and long-term economic growth. This investment will build on the $10 million in funding the bank provided in 2024-2025 that expanded access to upskilling, reskilling, and career pathways.
Funding will continue to support nonprofits working to enhance educational and career opportunities, address the rapidly changing demands of the modern economy, and strengthen economic mobility across the bank’s footprint, which includes New Jersey.
“Workforce development is central to how Citizens supports its customers, colleagues, and communities,” said Bruce Van Saun, Chairman & CEO of Citizens. “With this new $20 million investment, we will build on the strong progress we’ve made in expanding access to training and career pathways and helping people gain the skills they need to succeed in a rapidly changing environment.”
Insights from the 2025 Junior Achievement Teen Workforce Survey highlight why these investments matter. The survey found that 94% of teens say they are optimistic about their future careers, reflecting a strong sense of hope and ambition. However, 57% believe AI has negatively impacted their career outlook, raising concerns about job replacement and the need for new skills.
Nearly 9 in 10 report feeling pressure to make the right career choices, and most believe adaptability, continuous learning, and real-world experience will be essential for success, the survey found.
“Teens know the future of work will require adaptability and continuous learning,” said Susan LaMonica, Chief Human Resources Officer, Citizens. “Citizens is helping prepare them through investments in workforce development and partnerships with organizations like Junior Achievement, while also ensuring our investments, our leaders and our culture are equipping and preparing our colleagues with the skills and tools to thrive in a transforming workplace.”
Building the workforce of the future is a central focus of the bank’s commitment to making a positive impact. As part of this new $20 million commitment, Citizens partners with national organizations such as Year Up United and Education Design Lab (EDL), as well as hundreds of local nonprofits to expand access to upskilling programs, connect individuals to in-demand career pathways, and strengthen economic opportunity in communities across the country.
In 2024 and 2025, this included $1.6 million in funding to expand Citizens’ Community College Accelerator program with EDL to 10 schools across Boston, New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Rhode Island, and a $600,000 grant to LISC New York and Central Brooklyn EDC to launch the Brooklyn Youth Offshore Wind Training Program.
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