During
the summer of 2009, 20 Claremont and Lebanon-area youth participated
in the Ready, Set, Work! (RSW) program, a four-week career planning
and work retention course that combined classroom training with
job placements. For many of these youth, this opportunity provided
them with first-time employment and gave students an opportunity
to further explore their individual career interests.
RSW is designed to help youth with significant barriers to employment
master the steps required to identify, secure and retain a job
while gaining work maturity. Students completed interest inventories,
discussed job search strategies, and learned best practices for
completing job applications, resumes, cover letters, and interviews.
Problem solving, health and hazard training, customer service,
and work place ethics rounded out the job retention activities.
The program culminated with mock interviews conducted by local
human resource managers. In addition to classroom training, youth
worked 15 hours per week with area non-profit organizations and
municipalities to gain work place experience.
The RSW students enjoyed “doing a job that gave me experience
in the environmental field,” and “gaining office skills.”
One Freshman noted that RSW covered many topics, and exposed him
to many Upper Valley businesses. Other students gained significant
confidence that now enables them to better articulate their strengths
during job interviews. One employer stated, “Programs like
this are so important, I wish all students could be exposed to
this type of work training.”
RSW was brought to Claremont and Lebanon youth through a collaboration
between the Upper Valley Business and Education Partnership (UVBEP),
the Family School Connections of Clarmeont, Lebanon School District,
River Valley Community College and the New Hampshire Department
of Education with funding provided by an ARRA Grant received through
the NH Workforce Opportunity Council.
During
the summer of 2009, 20 Claremont and Lebanon-area youth participated
in the Ready, Set, Work! (RSW) program, a four-week career planning
and work retention course that combined classroom training with
job placements. For many of these youth, this opportunity provided
them with first-time employment and gave students an opportunity
to further explore their individual career interests.
RSW was brought to Claremont and Lebanon youth through a collaboration
between the Upper Valley Business and Education Partnership (UVBEP),
the Family School Connections of Clarmeont, Lebanon School District,
River Valley Community College and the New Hampshire Department
of Education with funding provided by an ARRA Grant received through
the NH Workforce Opportunity Council.