Real-world training promotes ethics, skills, ambition and accountability
Young people in the counties served by Southern Mississippi Planning and Development District (SMPDD) are getting real-world work experience through a program operated by the Twin Districts Workforce Development Area.
“Twin Districts operates the federally funded WIOA youth program providing services to out-of-school youth ages 16-24 and in-school youth ages 14-21. The program is 100% federally funded by the Department of Labor through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.” said Patricia Morrison, who is over all workforce development funding and programs for SMPDD and Twin Districts. “The program is designed to assist economically disadvantaged youth to overcome barriers that may hinder success in achieving education and employment goals.”
Through education, training and work experience, the SMPDD’s youth programs provide comprehensive services that lead youth to self-sufficiency, she explained. “In order to meet the goals of the program, we utilize 14 required program elements.”
Youth are offered services such as employability/soft skills training, job orientation, financial literacy training, and more. Financial incentives are offered for completion of training program components and supportive services, such as ACT testing fees, are available to those who qualify.
Jennifer Hull, owner of DeKalb Auto Parts Center and Hardware, has been a partner for five years and is pleased with the youth she’s worked with through the program.
“We appreciate the opportunity to partner with SMPDD and Kemper County High School to prepare students for skills and relationships in the work world,” she said.
One former trainee, Keith Odom, is now an employee and works with the students.
“The two students we have now like working with Keith. They are always busy performing work-related tasks, and they take the initiative to inquire if there are other tasks they may complete or new skills they can learn,” said Hull.
The Twin Districts Workforce Development Area comprises 24 counties. In-school services are offered remotely to all 24. Out-of-school services are offered in person in the following counties, Forrest, George, Greene, Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Jones, Lauderdale, Marion, Neshoba, Pearl River, Scott, and Stone. Remote services can be provided to any out-of-school youth who lives in a county that doesn’t offer in-person services.
“Training is not offered in high schools,” said Morrison. “All in-school services are provided remotely. If in-school youth are able or prefer to come into a local location, they are welcome to do so. Eligible participants must be in-school between ages 14-21 or out-of-school between ages 16-24. They also must be low income and have a barrier to employment or education.”
There is also a paid internship program.
“Prior to entering the paid work experience or internship portion of the WIOA youth program, youth receive classroom training in work readiness,” said Morrison. “The youth are then placed in paid work experiences or a work-based learning opportunity with employers ranging from large companies to small companies.”
The work readiness training includes:
• Work ethics (attitude, attendance, appearance, ambition, accountability, acceptance and appreciation).
• Job search Skills (resume and cover letter writing, interview skills, job application completion, and job search and networking).
• Job Success Skills.
• Workplace Communication Skills.
“Youth will gain valuable work experience with local employers in a real-world situation while applying the skills learned in classroom training. They are matched with employers based on the youth’s skills and interests,” said Morrison. “With our work experience component, it’s imperative that we build and consistently foster relationships with our business partners. Staff keep an open line of communication with the business partners and the youth in order to achieve a successful outcome.”