Through a partnership between local Chambers of Commerce, San Luis Obispo county high schools and SLO Partners in Education (SLOPE), the Just 1 program is reaching out to businesses, asking them to hire a Just 1 student for the summer. After a very successful pilot program in Paso Robles in 2015, the Just 1 program now includes seven county high schools in four summer job fairs. Last year, 34 businesses participated in the Paso Robles High School Just 1 summer job fair with 80 students hired. In 2016, the county Chambers of Commerce and SLOPE are working hard to recruit enough businesses to meet or exceed last year’s numbers – at each of the four participating high schools.
“Be ready to be wowed,” noted Don Idler, president of Idler’s Home, after his company hired a student at the Paso Robles Just 1 summer job fair in 2015. How good was Idler Home’s summer hire in 2015? She’s still working there part-time while she continues to go to school. Ted Hamm Insurance in Paso Robles told a similar story – their 2015 Just 1 summer hire is still employed at the firm until she leaves for college in the fall.
The primary goal of Just 1 is to support high school work-based learning programs that enable students following various career pathways to gain real-world experience. Aligning with the county industry clusters identified by the Economic Vitality Corporation (EVC), SLO county high schools offer career pathways in healthcare, construction and design, information technology, visual arts, performing arts, manufacturing, engineering and architecture, child development, transportation, hospitality and more.
Michael Specchierla, SLOPE executive director noted, “The partnership between business and education is important to our community and our economy. By better preparing our young people for their future in the working world, we are helping fill the talent pipeline that is so important for local businesses. At the same time, we are strengthening our community with skilled, knowledgeable employees that will be able to maintain the quality of life so special to the Central Coast.”
Just 1 Summer Job Fairs will be held at the following high schools: May 18, Paso Robles High School (Templeton and Shandon High Schools also participating at this location); May 18, Arroyo Grande High School; May 19, Nipomo High School (Central Coast New Tech High also participating at this location); May 20, Atascadero High School.
To participate in one or more of the Just 1 Summer Job Fairs, businesses are encouraged to contact Lori Pena at the SLOPE office, [email protected] or 805-782-7258. There is no cost to participate so, “be ready to be wowed”. Deadline to register for participation is May 10, 2016.