School officials expanding job training sites

 In an attempt to expand an existing job training program, Red Oak High School administrators are looking for additional businesses willing to serve as training stations. 

Two Red Oak students participated in a new work study program this past semester, working as welders at Finish Line Trailers. 

High School principal Jedd Sherman wants to see more students participating this upcoming semester. 

“We may be expanding our placements for the second semester of this year and more important, we may need additional training centers for the 2014-15 school year,” Sherman said.

In order to become a training center for Red Oak High School, officials would need to visit the business to make sure the environment is an appropriate fit for high school students. Kathleen Mayes, Work Study Coordinator, would be willing to visit the business to discuss the possibility of it becoming a training station. 

Sherman said in addition to Finish Line Trailers, Houghton State Bank is also an official training station, but they are hoping to expand 16 locations. 

“We could really use the help from our local businesses to improve on this excellent educational program at the high school,” he said. 

Students would work at the business part of the day, ideally Monday through Friday. However, business unable to provide work five days a week could potentially share  the student employee with another location. 

Each student would need to go through the full employment process. This would include the job interview and employers would have the final say as to whether the student will be employed. Although paying the student would be ideal, it is not a requirement of the job placement.

Anyone interested in more information can contact Sherman or Mayes at 623-6610.