BOSSIER CITY, La. — Red River Credit Union has partnered with Airline High School to launch the Viking Exchange Store, a student-operated campus business designed to provide hands-on experience in retail operations and entrepreneurship.
The partnership includes financial support from the credit union to establish the on-campus store, which will serve students and staff while giving business students practical experience in management, inventory control, customer service, marketing and sales.
The project was developed by Airline High School business teacher Brad Winstead as a way to give students real-world business experience beyond the classroom.
As part of the partnership, Red River Credit Union’s financial education, business and marketing teams will work with students and faculty throughout the school year, providing mentorship and guidance on operating the business.
The program is designed to help students apply classroom instruction to daily business operations, including financial management, merchandising, inventory tracking and customer engagement.
“RRCU is appreciative for the opportunity to partner with Airline High School for its Viking Exchange,” Red River Credit Union President and CEO Brad Bailey said. “We value our partnerships with schools, but being part of a new program with Airline High School and Coach Winstead to teach students real-life work skills is truly exciting.”
The Viking Exchange reflects a broader effort to expand career readiness opportunities by connecting students with local employers and providing practical business experience before graduation. School and credit union officials said they hope the program will serve as a model for future partnerships between education and industry.