SAFE is fostering future entrepreneurs, leaders, millionaires
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The three finalists in the mock interviews are Austin Becker (third place), Undra Mitchell (second place) and Bailee Hamilton (first place). Photo submitted
Special to the News
Central High School was excited to continue to offer rising students the opportunity to receive workforce skills through our ongoing partnership with The Sylacauga Alliance for Family Enhancement (SAFE) Workforce Ready! (WFR!) Program.
This opportunity was available this summer to our upcoming freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors. The “Pay to Learn” model was utilized, which meant that students who participated in the program were also paid at a rate of $10 per hour.
The program began on Monday, June 2, and ended on Friday, June 27. The working hours were from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. We completed two sessions that were each two-week programs offered Monday through Friday of each week.
Moreover, the Sylacauga Alliance for Family Enhancement (SAFE) Workforce Ready! (WFR!) Program was designed to prepare participants educationally for transition into the workforce. The program provided a variety of learning situations to help participants achieve self-assurance, become self-motivated, make better decisions, deal with stress and emotions, set priorities, and move toward personal goals.
The key areas of focus included self-concept, self-esteem, employment skills, and behavior. Open communication was encouraged; however, negative comments were not tolerated.
Future entrepreneurs, leaders and millionaires were fostered and equipped with essential knowledge about their desired career pathways. They were daily enlightened by engaging Coosa County community members who shared their expertise across various professional fields, such as journalism, post-secondary academia, nursing, mental health, law enforcement, spiritual leadership, music, financial literacy, computer literacy, real estate development, accounting, restaurant proprietorship, budgeting, and business entrepreneurship.
The culmination of this empowering program was reached on June 27, with the completion of the participants’ mock interviews. During the program, students were able to create and refine their resumes with the goal of obtaining an actual career in their desired profession.
The following individuals participated in our Summer Mock Interviews: Raymon Adams, Austin Becker, Chaiyce Davis, Kamiya Davis, Za’Khari Edwards, Taniya Ferguson, Jordyn Gray, Bailee Hamilton, Mitchell Johnston, Darion Jones, Ebanie Jones, Jarenski Judkins, Makalia Kelly, D’Ambri Lee, Camryn McCain, Anaeja Mitchell, Undra Mitchell, Braylon Murray, Aryonna Simmons, Makaylee Stone, Spencer Thompson, and Devyan Whetstone.
In regards to the mock interview, our three finalists are pictured. Congratulations to the following students, Austin Becker (third place), Undra Mitchell (second place) and Bailee Hamilton (first place).
We would like to highlight, with great pride, our cast of interviewers. They were Board Member Coach Joe Nathan Belyeu; former CHS bookkeeper, Ms. Gail Ezekiel; former teacher leader, Ms. Joetta Maxwell; current technology instructor and coach, Brett Thomas; and CHS Principal, Ms. Brandi Lee.
From the bottom of my heart, I would like to thank my fellow cohorts for their passion, drive and determination to make our SAFE program second to none. These tremendous individuals are Dytisha Goodgame, Brett Thomas, Valerie Smith, and Toccarro Long.
During this school year, our first SAFE session began on August 18. Furthermore, it will provide participants with the opportunity to complete various modules in WorkKeys, Accuplacer, ACE, MAPS, LearnKey, and Gmetrix.
WorkKeys will allow our participants to enhance their foundations in math, science, reading, and English.
In regards to Accuplacer, these tailored courses will expose learners to the rigors of college level placement tests while enhancing their understanding of core classroom concepts.
According to the ACE website, Alabama Career Essentials (ACE) is a FREE training course designed by the Alabama Community College System to provide Alabamians with relevant, cutting-edge and industry-driven employability skills training to better prepare individuals for the Alabama workforce.
The main goal of the new ACE course is to ensure current and future workers are equipped with the skills necessary to enter the 21st-century Alabama workforce.
The State of Alabama describes MAPS in the following manner: MAPS (Mobilizing Alabama Pathways) are short courses to prepare individuals for industry-specific information. The curriculum is designed to be self-paced and virtually delivered integrating industry-specific skills students will gain foundational and sector-specific competencies, culminating with a credential of value for entry-level work on the “first-rung” of a career pathway.
At the completion of the course, a student will earn a MAP Certification of the industry signifying to a company the attainment of the competencies received.
LearnKey and GMetrix are online learning platforms that assist students and career-changers in obtaining industry-recognized certifications in Microsoft Office, Adobe professional and other IT-related categories.
If you are interested in having your young adult participate in the SAFE program, send an email to jmitchell@coosaschools.org. In order to receive compensation at $10 per hour, they must complete an onboarding packet.
Thank you to science teacher Jacques Mitchell for facilitating this program for our students and sharing an update on the program and pictures.
