Aiken County's rising high school seniors were given the opportunity to apply and interview for the Jumpstart Summer Internship Program, a collaborative effort of Aiken County Public Schools and the Lower Savannah Council of Governments (LSCOG) aimed at providing students with summer jobs to facilitate the acquisition of employable skills.
According to Mr. William Hudson, Director of the Aiken County Career & Technology Center and coordinator for the District’s initiative, 16 students currently have internships with the District and the City of Aiken. District students are working with Facilities and Maintenance, the Material Center, Technology and Communications. The City of Aiken has employed a student intern on its Grounds and Maintenance staff.
The LSCOG provides Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Program Act (WIOA) services through local workforce investment. These funds help to 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.
"This program allows individuals who may not have the work experience or soft
skills, for example, showing up on time and reporting to supervisors, to gain that experience. This will also give them the tools that will be essential for them to be
able to obtain employment in the future,” Megan Helmig, with the Lower Savannah Council of Governments, stated.
Aiken County student interns are paid by the LSCOG while learning the basic skills and workplace ethics that will set a firm foundation for future success.
Luis Nolasco-Rivera, an Educational Technology intern with the District, says he is excited to gain the knowledge of working with computers and the skills to broaden his horizons for job opportunities in the future.
“I’m also enjoying learning different things and experiencing different situations with my peers,” he added.
"We're excited to take part in the hands-on, work-based preparation of our students for their future career success," Aiken County Public School Superintendent Dr. Sean Alford commented. "There are some skills that simply can not be simulated in the classroom, and we’re grateful to the Lower Savannah Council of Governments for their partnership in this endeavor."
Jeremy Edison is an intern with the District’s Maintenance Department and says he wants to acquire the working skills needed for a future career while also gaining real-world experience in a hard-working environment.
"Being able to find a job and already having the experience for the job will benefit me in the long-run,” he added.
This press release was written by Jumpstart Summer Interns in the Communications Department.
Link to District Press Release: 2016JuneSummerJumpstartProgram