How Spanish-Language Financial Education Is Creating Impact Far Beyond the Workplace

For many people, financial decisions can feel overwhelming. Budgeting, building credit, saving for retirement, and protecting against scams are skills rarely taught in a formal setting, yet they shape everyday life.

Against that backdrop, the Rutgers School of Business–Camden recently partnered with Thayer Distribution to deliver a customized Spanish-language financial literacy program for warehouse employees. Designed and taught by Rutgers–Camden faculty, the program provided practical financial education in participants’ preferred language, helping employees gain knowledge they can apply immediately at work, at home, and in their communities.

The training covered topics including budgeting, saving, debt management, credit building, banking services, taxes, retirement planning, and financial fraud prevention. More importantly, it created an opportunity for employees to engage with financial concepts in a setting that felt accessible and relevant to their daily lives.

“Financial literacy can be life-changing when people receive information in a language they understand and feel comfortable using,” said Dennis Perez, the Rutgers–Camden instructor who led the program. “This program gave participants practical tools they can use to make more confident financial decisions for themselves and their families.”

For Peter McAliney, director of Professional and Executive Education at Rutgers School of Business–Camden, the initiative reflects a growing understanding that workforce development extends beyond technical and job-specific training.

“Financial literacy is one of the most meaningful investments an organization can make in its employees,” McAliney said. “When people feel more confident managing their finances, the benefits extend well beyond the individual. Families become more financially secure, employees experience less stress, and employers often see stronger engagement and commitment from their workforce.”

While organizations have long invested in training designed to improve workplace performance, many are increasingly recognizing the value of programs that support employees as individuals. Financial wellness has emerged as one area where education can make an immediate and lasting difference, particularly for workers navigating complex financial decisions for themselves and their families.

Delivering the program in Spanish was central to its impact. By removing language barriers, participants could fully engage with the material and ask questions about topics that directly affect their financial well-being. The result was a learning experience that extended beyond the workplace, equipping participants with knowledge that can influence major life decisions and contribute to long-term financial stability.

“What made this program especially meaningful was seeing participants become more engaged as we discussed real-life topics like budgeting, credit, taxes, retirement, and protecting themselves from financial scams,” Perez said. “These are skills that can have an impact well beyond the classroom.”

The program also highlights the role universities can play in helping employers address workforce needs while creating broader community impact. Through Professional and Executive Education at Rutgers (PEER), the Rutgers School of Business–Camden partners with organizations across industries to develop customized learning experiences that connect academic expertise with real-world challenges.

“One of the most rewarding aspects of this work is seeing education create immediate value in people’s lives,” McAliney said. “When employees leave a session with practical tools they can use to make better financial decisions, that knowledge has the potential to benefit their households for years to come.”

For Rutgers–Camden, initiatives like this demonstrate how education can reach beyond a traditional classroom. By helping employees build financial confidence and make informed decisions, the university supports not only workforce development but also stronger families and more resilient communities.

To learn more about the Professional and Executive Education Program at Rutgers contact Peter McAliney, director, at peter.mcaliney@rutgers.edu or 856-225-6315.