Mobile County, Partners Begin Job Internship Program Today

Posted on: Jun 8th, 2016 | News and Announcements

The Mobile County Commission, along with its partners PNC Bank and the University of South Alabama, will kick off a summer job internship program today with a record number of young adults. A class of 64 young adults between the ages of 16 and 22 will get 40 hours of training and three and a half weeks of challenging job experience through the Mobile County Job Internship Program. The placements are primarily in for-profit local industries including maritime, health care, finance, aerospace, engineering and service industries ?This is an opportunity to provide the experience critical to future success in the job market,? said Mobile County Commissioner Merceria Ludgood. ?At the same time, it gives young adults a chance to earn money for college.? Students selected for the program met the following criteria: ? GPA of 2.0 ? Two letters of recommendations ? Essay detailing interest in the program ? Completed interview ? Criminal background check ? Drug test ?We need a trained and ready workforce to meet the needs of job growth in our county,? said Mobile County Commission President Jerry Carl. ?It?s a win-win for our kids and our local businesses,? Mobile County Commissioner Connie Hudson said the program ?increases the skill set of our local youth, preparing them for better opportunity within their own community. This gives an advantage to our own children and a better chance of keeping them here during their adult years.? -More- Cheryl Williams of Spherion Staffing Services, one of the program coordinators, said training will include technology and software classes as well as basic soft skills such as banking and budgeting and dress and composure. Last year, about a quarter of the class ended up with invitations from their employers to work through the summer. Ramona Hill of Workshops, etc.! will lead the training program. ?My expectation is that we can get these young people acquainted with the demands of the work world and prepared to perform well under pressure.?