KCUSD Summer Work Experience Program gives students valuable industry experience

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Alexander Serna isn't spending this summertime connected the couch.

He's moving astatine Lee's Service, a locally owned tyre & car repair store successful Reedley.

He started present soon aft graduation arsenic portion of the Kings Canyon Unified School District's "Summer Work Experience Program" oregon "SWEP."

The territory began the programme successful 2016 with 10 auto-focused businesses.

It's present expanded to 75 section shops successful a assortment of industries.

Alexander is 1 of 120 students placed successful roles this summer.

SWEP Coordinator Veleda Oltjenbruns says portion the territory provides up to 100 hours of minimum wage wage to students, the businesses supply invaluable enactment experience.

"What these kids are learning successful presumption of applying for a job, showing up, interviewing, being a bully worker, showing up 15 minutes aboriginal each azygous time, similar cipher teaches you that, and yet we cognize that that's what keeps radical employed and gets radical jobs," Oltjenbruns said.

Robert Huebert, proprietor of Lee's Service, has been the district's longest partner.

He says the programme whitethorn payment the student, but it besides benefits the business.

"We request other radical successful the summertime, truthful it's perfect," Huebert said.

Alexander built his skills successful Reedley High School's automotive program.

What helium learned successful that store has rapidly transferred here.

"I was grooming to bash this, you know?" Alexander said.

Still, helium works intimately with the unit to larn their tricks of the trade.

"They taught maine similar caller tricks oregon similar habits, bully habits, you know," Alexander said.

All students who instrumentality portion successful SWEP indispensable beryllium successful bully lasting behaviorally and academically.

They besides person to instrumentality portion successful a bid of workshops up of the summertime program.

But each that effort sometimes pays off.

It did for Serna.

Once his SWEP programme came to an end, helium was formally offered a occupation with the store and accepted.

Huebert says it was a no-brainer.

Alexander was 1 of 8 students offered a occupation retired of the enactment acquisition programme this summer.

He plans to proceed moving astatine Lee's Service done college.

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