- Employer involvement in schools
- Evaluating Career Tech Pathways offered in schools
- Provide data for diversified manufacturing careers
- Educate parents on career outlooks
- Facilitate the workforce pipeline
- Facilitate relationships between academia and manufacturing
Business Guide to Hiring High School Students
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The mission of the Work-Based Learning (WBL) Program is to assist in providing a highly trained, technologically
sophisticated, and career oriented young work force by developing partnerships which lead the participating student into meaningful careers.
FAQ’s About WBL Student Employee
Age? 16 – 18 years old, Junior or Senior in High School
Quality? Student receives teacher recommendations and has good behavior and attendance to qualify for the WBL program.
Hours? Often students arrive at 2:00 and work agreed upon # of hours/days/week. Recommended <25 hours/week. Availability is student schedule dependent.
Employment? Direct or through staffing agency. $10 – $14/hour is suggested.
Mentor? Company will identify a key employee to set goals and to be aware of their environment and the contribution they make to the company. Mentor is of character that the student could strive to emulate.
Accountability? WBL Coordinators will meet with the student employee multiple times per year and sometimes onsite at the company. Mentor will be asked to review the student employee regularly.
Interested? Contact us for your area High School Work-Based Learning Program Coordinator
Can Manufacturers Employ 16 & 17 Year Olds?
Legally Speaking…YES!
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16 & 17 year olds are valuable to your workplace and are part of a long-term solution to workforce sustainability – especially in manufacturing. There are some things they cannot do!
No-No’s
*Driving on public streets as part of job
*Using power tools or machinery
*Wrecking, demolition, excavation, roofing
*Mining, logging, sawmilling, forestry services, forest firefighting
*Working in meat or poultry plants that slaughter, package or process
*Manufacturing brick, tile or related materials
*Working where radiation is present
*Working where explosives are stored or produced
*Driving, riding, repairing or working from a forklift, bobcat, backhoe, hoist, cherry picker, etc.
What can they do? Everything else with a dose of youth and energy! Your Company Can Tap Into: new ideas and perspectives, eagerness to learn, enthusiasm and energy, ease with technology, creativity, adaptation, open mindedness, the ability to learn quickly, and to inspire existing workforce.
Employers Provide Mentors:
*Provide training for supervisors and youth
*Observe and supervise youth
*Invite youth to ask questions
*Stress the importance of safety to frontline supervisors
*Provide proper equipment and clothing
Return on Investment: There is the potential for a big payoff for both the company and the student.
Resources:
Federal Department of Labor: www.dol.gov/whd
Georgia Department of Labor: www.dol.ga.gov
Occupational Safety & Health Administration: www.osha.gov/youngworkers
National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health: www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/youth/default.html
Georgia Department of Education: https://www.gadoe.org/Curriculum-Instruction-and[1]Assessment/CTAE/Documents/2018-WBL-Manual-Combined-files.pdf
If an employee under 18 suffers a work-related injury reportable to OSHA, expect an OSHA inspection within five (5) working days. More stringent rules apply to 14 & 15 year-olds. This is an overview for information only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult legal counsel for legal advice and questions.
Work Based Learning (WBL) Student Employee EXAMPLE
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17 year old High School Junior that passes school qualifications and is placed at employer by a WBL Coordinator. Student passes employer interview and is hired. Drives to work for 4 hours each afternoon at an $11/hour rate. Has employer mentor for the purpose of teaching employability and connection to a career path.