PROJECT SEARCH JOB TRAINING PROGRAM PREPARES STUDENTS FOR FUTURE JOBS IN HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY

Friday, May 10 was a big day for five high school students from around the area. This is because they graduated from the Project Search Job Training Program at Wilderness at the Smokies.

The Project Search Program with The Access Program was a six-month pilot program that Wilderness at the Smokies volunteered to participate in for the 2018-2019 school year. The goal of the program was to provide job training to high school students who are finishing up their last year before graduation. The five students who were chosen to participate in this year’s pilot program attend four different area high schools. They had to meet educational guidelines and go through an application process to be selected for the program.

According to Trish, talent acquisition manager and business liaison for project search at Wilderness at the Smokies, “When we were approached by Project Search about starting this job program onsite, we embraced it thinking that it would be a great way to give back to the community and give some students an opportunity they may not otherwise have to learn important new skills for their future.”  “What we didn’t realize is how much we would get it out of it. The participants in Project Search really touched all of our hearts in a special way. It was absolutely wonderful experience to see them grow and their confidence sky rocket.”

The students began their work experience at Wilderness at the Smokies in January by training in various areas of the resort. They then got to pick their favorite area, apply to be an intern in that department, and work there for 8 weeks. Then the students were assigned to a second area for another 8 weeks. On a typical school day, the students arrived at resort at 8:00 am. They started their day with a lesson addressing life and work skills with their teacher and onsite mentors, then worked from 9 am – 2 pm, and then finished the day meeting with their teacher and mentors again to recap their current day’s experience.

Trish says the students learned some really valuable life skills and work experience. In housekeeping, they were taught how to strip down the rooms, change sheets and towels, remove trash and vacuum guest rooms; as lobby attendants they focused on dusting and vacuuming the resort’s public areas; as prep chefs they were taught how to make yogurt parfaits and cut up vegetables for breakfast and lunch; and as aquatics housekeepers they learned how to fold towels.”

The last couple of weeks as part of their end of day recap the students were also shown how to fill out job applications for various jobs. Of the five students in the pilot Project Search program four have expressed an interest to become employees of the Wilderness at the Smokies. One will be returning to the Project Search program again next school year to further develop their skills.

According to Jennifer Jeffers, Educational Transition Specialist for Project Search, “The managers, employees, and especially mentors at Wilderness at the Smokies were really welcoming and supportive. Our interns really advanced their interpersonal skills and work experience. We’re so incredibly proud of them.” Trish says Wilderness at the Smokies enjoyed being part of the Project Search program so much they are hoping to have 10-12 students in program for the 2019-2020 school year. “Our employees really liked having them around and the experience was positive for everyone.” She adds that she hopes more businesses in the area will participate in the program next year. “It’s a win/win situation for everyone.”

For more information on Project Search, please contact Roberta Dix, [email protected] or Jennifer Jeffers, [email protected]