Arctic Access Summer Work program puts kids to work
Have you recently noticed several teenagers around town with shovels, brooms, paintbrushes, and hammers? Don’t be alarmed. They are a trained workforce. Those hard-working 14-18-year old youth are part of Arctic Access’s Summer Work Program. The program, funded through the State of Alaska’s Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, is up and running for its fourth year, and it is bigger and better than ever.
The goal of the program is to give students the opportunity to learn transferable job skills and expectations so they are ready to enter the workforce after graduation. It also helps participants discover what careers they might enjoy and be successful at. This program not only benefits the students, but employers as well, who get an opportunity to train and “try-out” their potential future employees at no cost.
Businesses, organizations and even individuals of Nome have been supportive of the youth and this program. There are 25 teens working at 13different establishments throughout town.
Between Bering Straits Native Corporation (BSNC), Bering Straits Regional Housing Authority (BSRHA), Nome Public Schools (NPS)-NANA Management, Norton Sound Health Corporation (NSHC) and Chuck Fagerstrom, the 14 students are working as laborers and learning about the building trades.
Frank Outwater, the youngest participant at the age of 14, works at NPS-NANA and said “What I like about the summer job program is it gives me something to do during summer more than just walking, sleeping, and other things. The way I see it is that it helps me get ready for real life where I have to work and fix my motivation. I like it because I get money for hard work!”
Tia Prentice, 15, who is holding her own at BSRHA said “I like how we have more opportunities and we can try out different things, and we don’t have to wait ‘til we’re 18 to do them!”
Other youth are learning about the food and beverage industry. Bering Sea Restaurant, Pingo’s, Trinh’s and Bering Tea & Coffee each have a summer apprentice. Amanda Coughenour, 16, who works at Bering Sea said, “I like that I’m able to get out of the house and do something beneficial for myself. It gives me an opportunity to get a taste of the working world and it helps me gain experience so in the future, I can know what to expect when getting a job on my own.”
Some of the teens are helping in the community. Three of them are working with youth or elders through Boys & Girls Club or Manuqsri. And there is another group of five who have been working on a community project through the Youth Coalition building fish cutting tables, fixing up Nook Camp and getting it ready for other youth to use this summer.