A group of Aiken County Public Schools students will gain knowledge and experience outside of the classroom this summer through the Jumpstart Summer Internship Program sponsored by Aiken County Public Schools and the Lower Savannah Council of Governments (LSCOG).
The program is an example of the District’s ongoing commitment to workforce development, focused locally through the AIKEN WORKS initiative. AIKEN WORKS, an Aiken County Community Workforce Collaborative, was developed to build awareness about Aiken County’s workforce opportunities, connect high school students with various options to explore their individual future employment interests, and better prepare Aiken County’s next generation of employees for the demands of their future careers.
Starting this week, fifteen rising seniors will work in a variety of fields and perform many important tasks across the school district, including the Facilities and Maintenance department, the Materials Center and Communications and Technology departments.
The Jumpstart Summer Internship Program is a partnership between Aiken County Public Schools and the Lower Savannah Council of Governments (LSCOG). The LSCOG provides Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Program Act (WIOWA) services through local workforce investment. These funds help boost employment while also enhancing the skills of local workers, thereby reducing welfare dependency and enhancing the overall productivity and competitiveness of the Lower Savannah region.
The Lower Savannah Region includes Aiken, Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Calhoun and Orangeburg Counties.
Through the Jumpstart program, students such as Dalton Whittle, of Midland Valley High School, will learn about the value of discipline, accountability, and responsibility, all while earning a paycheck. Training for the summer positions took place Wednesday.
“This opportunity will help me become better prepared for the real world,” Whittle stated. “I want to experience an adventure outside of my school and start learning about being in the work force.”
Students who have been accepted for the Jumpstart program are expected to arrive on time for work, dress professionally, and perform their specific job tasks to the best of their abilities. During the six-week program, students will earn a wage of $9.25 an hour.
Donna Roberts, a representative with education and skills training leader Paxen, who facilitated the Wednesday training session for the ACPSD interns on behalf of the LSCOG, says she is passionate about helping young people learn more about the working world.
“I love my job because I get to connect young people to jobs outside of the school environment,” Roberts stated.
The Jumpstart Summer Internship Program exists to show students there are opportunities for growth outside of school buildings while also encouraging them to start planning for life beyond high school graduation.
“We are pleased to see that our students are taking part in hands-on, work-based preparation. We firmly believe that this opportunity will contribute to their future success in the career in which they choose to be involved.” Aiken County Public School Superintendent Dr. Sean Alford commented. ”The skills they learn here simply cannot be simulated in a classroom environment. We are grateful to the Lower Savannah Council of Governments for their partnership in this endeavor.”
LINK TO DISTRICT PRESS RELEASE: 2017 PR JUMPSTART TRAINING