Not all kids are destined for a college education, Lake Oswego Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Liz Hartman notes.
So, in part as a way to help those kids who may want to dive into a career right after high school, the chamber is collaborating with the Lake Oswego School District and the Rotary Club of Lake Oswego to provide internships and job shadow opportunities.
“I think it’s a whole different way of integrating students with businesses and apprenticeship programs. Our communities are going to need plumbers and electricians and all the other trades. We don’t have a lot of people looking into that right now,” Hartman said. “LOSD has 90% to 95% college-bound students. That leaves 5% to 10% of students who need a different kind of pathway.”
As a start, the chamber is seeking participation from local businesses primarily in the fields of business/marketing, culinary arts, computer science and engineering, but they are open to other businesses as well.
The chamber has formed a task force for this program and that group is ironing out details, but internships could be for class credit and/or pay, and the program could also facilitate less-intensive opportunities like job shadowing. The program will start out with internships but the hope is to add apprenticeships in the future and speakers who could visit local campuses. They’re also speaking with representatives of nearby school districts who have similar programs.
Hartman said the school district has identified students for the program and the chamber is looking for businesses to work with. She added that they are looking to do a pilot program this summer and also highlighted an upcoming job fair from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 11, at Lakeridge High School.
“Our intention is to have a database of businesses schools can contact for students interested in internships moving forward,” Hartman said.
Those interested in joining the task force or working with local businesses should email laquita@lake-oswego.com or call 503-636-3634.
