July 02, 2012 –
MAYETTA: The Summer Youth Worker program, that is sponsored by PBPN’s Education Department, is in full swing and keeping teens busy in jobs on the common land. Students work 30 hours a week in an assigned department and also participate in career-planning workshops. Two work sessions are held in June and July with new workers hired for each session.
The first session was held from June 4 to June 29 and a second group of workers began today and will work until July 27. Approximately 20 workers ranging from 14 to 18 years of age are hired and placed in a variety of departments. Students must apply and go through interviews each spring with the Education Department selecting students for the positions. Departments that place workers are also screened to ensure a real-world working experience for the students.
Below are some photographs taken during the first session:
An instructor from Bryan Career College gave a presentation on June 20 at the Bingo Hall to students where they learned how to fill out job applications and certain job skill tools.
Pam Knoxsah, 16, worked in the Tribal Council chambers with the administrative assistants. Pam will be a junior next year at Royal Valley High School. She told the News that she really enjoyed her work experience with the Prairie Band.
On the right is Akicita Irving, 14, from Denver, who is staying this summer on the common land and worked the first session with Craig Wahwahsuck of the Division of Planning and EPA. In the photo they are recycling items from the Government Center’s break room.
Kristina Matsapto is the JOM/Job Skills Coordinator for the Department of Education who handles the Summer Youth Worker program. Overall there are 12 departments who place student workers and some departments take more than one.