Ellington

Cassey Blevins doesn’t need statistics to tell her a job search in this economy is hard. She sees it firsthand every day.

Blevins is the assistant for the Work Experience program at Georgia Northwestern Technical College. She’s trying to offer help and get the word out to young high school graduates that there is hope.

“Young adults need a program like this,” she said. “Some of the people we see are really hurting, have no guidance and need a role model. It’s hard right now in the workforce and we see higher rates of success through the program.”

GNTC will hold a Work Experience program orientation July 16-20 at its Walker County campus to inform those interested about the program.

The Work Experience program is federally funded through the Youth Workforce Investment Act and gives high school graduates the opportunity to work for up to three months. Students receive $7.25 an hour and may work 20-40 hours a week.

Those interested do not have to be enrolled in the program but they must be ages 18-21, have completed high school and meet income and academic eligibility requirements. The program is open to 15 individuals who meet these requirements.

Blevins said some students do not realize the ethics and discipline it takes to find and a keep a job. Work Experience teaches survival and leadership skills and life lessons.

By teaming up with local government and businesses, the program focuses on helping young adults gain work experience, learn fundamental work ethic and develop communication skills. Participating students go into partner organizations and take on the roles and duties supervisors provide during their enrollment.

“We’re trying to let them gain the stepping stones they need to get where they need to be,” Blevins said. “We provide networking [opportunities], so when they complete the program they could have a potential part- or full-time position.”

She said she has witnessed many success stories through Work Experience; some participants have even been hired for the position they did as part of the program.

The deadline to sign up is July 23.

To learn more about the Work Experience program call 706-764-3800 or visit the Walker County GNTC campus at 265 Bicentennial Trail Rock Spring.