Getting graduating high school students into the work force has always been challenging, especially in the Morongo Basin where opportunities for employment are limited. Reporter David Haldane tells us about a school-district-wide effort to address the problem…
Free labor. That’s the catchword attracting local businesses to a pair of state-funded programs providing high school students with paid temporary entry-level jobs. But there are other benefits as well: training, community involvement, and, in some cases, future permanent employment.
The programs, administered by the Morongo Unified School District, are designed to give students experience in their chosen fields. “These kids are only limited by their imaginations. If they can imagine it, I can do my best to find a field that’s similar enough where they can get some experience.”
That’s Lori Cosgriff, who oversees the programs. At present, fifteen businesses provide employment for up to ten weeks in fields including maintenance, food service, childcare and retail. The student workers—about 20 percent of whom end up permanently employed—are paid minimum wage.
So, if you’re a business owner who needs help and also wants to provide it, call Lori at 760-367-9591, extension 2046.
WORK EXPERIENCE PROGRAM OFFERS PAID WORKERS
