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For more information
contact:
Email:
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Mark Nixon :
517-702-6735
MDN@LBWL.COM
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BWL will hire students to 'grow' tomorrow's work force
The Lansing Board of Water & Light announced today a unique job recruitment and training program, First STEP, which will begin building the BWL’s next-generation work force.
Officials from the BWL are to address the Lansing Board of Education at 7 p.m. today to outline the key components of First STEP. The program will recruit area high school seniors to work as part-time BWL employees while they are still in school. The intent is to train and mentor these students for possible careers at BWL, which is Michigan’s largest public utility.
“We need to grow tomorrow’s work force today, and I can think of no better place to start than our local high schools,” said BWL General Manager J. Peter Lark. “Like many companies, the BWL will experience a large number of retirements in the next few years. Given the myriad business challenges this utility will confront, it is essential that our next-generation work force be fully prepared. First STEP is an essential way to ensure that our future employees will hit the ground running.”
In the coming weeks, juniors from nearly 30 area high schools will receive information about First STEP. High schools will screen applicants and select a group of students to be interviewed this fall by BWL staff.
The BWL will make the final selection of First STEP participants in late 2008. Starting in January 2009, approximately 20 students will work entry-level jobs at the BWL for an average of 20 hours a week. They will be paid $10 an hour and will be eligible to work until June graduation.
Depending on the company’s employment needs in June, the BWL may offer as many as 10 of those students an opportunity to work full-time in an entry-level job. Other, remaining qualified First STEP participants will be offered $1,500 scholarships to attend Lansing Community College. Employment opportunities and scholarships are contingent on the students completing the First STEP program and meeting all high school graduation requirements.
First STEP stands for First School to Training and Employment Program.
The BWL has initiated First STEP in partnership with the following institutions or groups: Ingham Intermediate School District, Lansing School District, Eaton Intermediate School District, Clinton County Regional Educational Service Agency, Lansing Community College and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 352.
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