Van High School seniors are gaining more than a paycheck through a new work-study program through our CTE program brought to life by our CTE Director, Jason Rose — they are gaining valuable real-world experience, building workplace skills, and showing local employers just how much Vandal students have to offer.
Led by Mrs. Lori Wilkinson, the program currently has four local employers partnering with Van ISD to provide job opportunities for Van High School seniors. The goal is to connect students with meaningful employment while they are still in high school, giving them the opportunity to develop the dependability, communication, teamwork, and job-specific skills that will serve them well after graduation.
Recently, Van ISD representatives visited participating businesses and spoke with managers about their experiences employing VHS seniors. The feedback made us incredibly proud.
“In my opinion, Alex is one of our best employees.”
Another employer praised Addison's reliability and willingness to grow:
“Addison does a great job. We can always count on her, and she is ready to learn more and take on additional responsibility with us.”
Boe's knowledge and ability to serve customers have also made him an important part of his workplace.
“Boe is one of our friendliest and most knowledgeable employees. His small-engine knowledge is so helpful to our team and our customers. We really lean on him.”
And Kharizma's employer shared a similar message:
“Kharizma is a valuable member of our team. We can count on her.”
For Van ISD, comments like these represent exactly what the work-study program is designed to accomplish. Students are taking what they have learned in school into the workplace, gaining experience and responsibility while becoming valuable members of local businesses.
The program is still growing, and Van ISD is looking for more students and more community partners to become involved.
Van High School seniors interested in learning more about the work-study program should make the VHS Counseling Office their first stop.
Local businesses looking for dependable employees who can contribute to and strengthen their operations are also encouraged to partner with the program. For more information about becoming a participating employer, contact Lori Wilkinson at lori.wilkinson@vanisd.org.
By bringing our schools and local businesses together, we can give students opportunities to gain valuable experience today while preparing them for success tomorrow.
Big Opportunities. Small-Town Relationships. Ready for What Comes Next.