Tuscaloosa County, Alabama – On Monday, The Tuscaloosa County Commission, in partnership with West AlabamaWorks!, officially launched the I.G.N.I.T.E Student Employment Portal. Thought to be the first of its kind, this unique program is for ages 14-18 and will build on the traditional summer jobs program and include year-round jobs, co-ops, and apprenticeships.

West AlabamaWorks! will continue to add jobs to the portal and work with both school systems to connect students to jobs and career paths. Employers interested in posting student jobs may do so by visiting www.wawstudentjobs.com/employer-information.

“The Commission is pleased to see the launch of this innovative and much-needed site ahead of schools letting out for summer” said Probate Judge Rob Robertson. “At a time with unprecedented labor shortages, it is essential we get our students active and trained for our workforce. We believe this program will also help prepare students for meaningful and productive future careers.”

In addition to the jobs portal, West AlabamaWorks! developed I.G.N.I.T.E, a set of soft skills needed to be successful in the workforce. The development of the I.G.N.I.T.E Student Employment Portal will teach responsibility and reinforce the skills students are learning and apply them to their job and future career. I.G.N.I.T.E stands for:

I – Integrity

G – Gratitude

N – Never Give Up

I – Initiative

T – Timeliness

E – Enthusiasm

“I.G.N.I.T.E. really stands for igniting students’ opportunities for jobs, but also each one of the letters stand for a character trait or a type of responsibility that we have as workers. So, it really ties character and employability skills to our students, and it’s got a lot of training to go along with this for our students” said Donny Jones, Executive Director of West AlabamaWorks!. “It is an exciting time that we’re going to be igniting the kids’ opportunities.”

In January, the Commission unanimously approved a contract to partner with West AlabamaWorks! to develop this site as well as other workforce and community development services.

Visit WAWStudentJobs.com to learn more and apply.

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