Thursday's Internet Edition, December 04, 2008.
pre-employment class
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WORKFORCE TRAINING- Emily Dossey, who will conduct the first pre-employment training class for 16-17 year-old students in Hamilton in June, shows Mayor Roy Rumsey a copy of the notebook students will use. Sponsored by the Hamilton EDC, the two-week short course will teach students responsibilities that will be expected of them when they take their place in the workforce, as well as allowing them to see some of the work opportunities in the area.
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Sponsored by the Hamilton Economic Development Corpo-ration, the Work Ethics short course will be modeled on successful classes conducted by Texas Workforce Solutions, a state agency. According to Mike Collett, president of the EDC, the class is a pilot project that will be evaluated to determine whether students gather information and experience that is necessary to become responsible employees.
Collett said, “This will also be a great opportunity for students to see what possibilities are out there for young people looking for good jobs in Hamilton in addition to preparing them for successful employment.”
Dossey told the project’s executive committee at a meeting this week that 10 students will be selected to participate in the mostly interactive, practical training sessions that will include field trips to several busi-nesses and conclude with an opportunity to meet and talk with local employers.
She said that, in addition to the job-related knowledge and experience students will gain, they will be paid a stipend for good attendance and involve-ment in class activities. Other motivational incentives include a certificate for successful class completion and priority for students interested in EDC higher education scholarships.
Composed of representatives of the EDC, Chamber of Commerce, Hamilton ISD, City of Hamilton, Hamilton County and the business community, the executive committee selected Emily Dossey to lead the class based on her past experience with such courses and her enthusiasm for and interest in the topic. Renee Barton of Workforce Solutions highly recommended Emily to the committee.
Collett said, “The EDC has long been interested in fostering interest among local students in careers that have strong growth potential and will meet the needs of our local community. We want to promote good employee/employer relationships by helping young people prepare for the work-force. And, of course, when they complete their school years and consider what next, we hope they will look first at opportunities here in Hamilton as they embark upon their ca-reers.”
In addition to Collett, the other EDC board members are Betty Jenkins, Steven Watson, Helen Townsend, Tom Adams, Dorothy Harelik and Larry An-glin. Work ethics project com-mittee members are County Judge Randy Mills, Mayor Roy Rumsey, City Manager Bill Funderburk, Chamber Manager Steve Almquist, Hamilton ISD Superintendent Sam Bell, HHS Principal Matt Dossey, EDC board members Collett, Adams and Anglin, Rick and Debbie Kirkham, Michael Langford, Kim Howard and John Pearsall.
Further information about the class can be obtained by calling the EDC office, 386-5954. Applications are available from Matt Dossey, Hamilton High School.