The Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) has approved an expanded Jump Start summer program to offer on-the-job training to students. According to a release, more than 3,000 high school students across the state will be offered spots in the program that aims to teach them work and life skills while they work a summer job. You can read the full report below and listen to the discussion from the April 17th meeting.

 

BATON ROUGE, La. -- The Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) voted today to expand the Jump Start Summers program, affording more than 3,000 high school students the opportunity to earn academic credit, engage in workplace-based learning, and attain critical industry-based credentials, all while earning a wage, during the upcoming summer months.

"Workplace-based learning provides an unparalleled opportunity for students to master essential workplace skills, while making their academic school work more relevant," said State Superintendent John White. "This is true for all students--those who are university-bound, as well as those who are career-focused."

Launched in 2017, Jump Start Summers brings together school system and industry leaders to provide students with the opportunity to complete paid, on-site job shadowing and internships. Students who participate in the program earn academic credits and industry-based credentials, and receive a stipend for the sessions they successfully complete. They also build soft skills, like the ability to communicate, manage time, or work with a team, that are essential in the workplace.

In the summer program's first two years, 48 providers enrolled 1,792 students. Students who completed their programs earned a collective 1,676 academic credits and 1,998 industry-based credentials.

Fifteen additional providers were approved today, bringing the total number of active providers to 59 and programs offered to 166. The available programs are aligned to high-demand career fields, such as drone operation, automotive repair, business, construction, culinary arts, health care, information technology, manufacturing, and hospitality, tourism and retail. The average stipend amount will be $690.

See a list of all 2019 Jump Start Summers opportunities

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