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Narrative: Dupont created the Community Advisory Panel in 1995 as a means of addressing Dupont need to maintain a good understanding of community needs and issues. In addition to regular meetings with community members the Community Advisory Panel (CAP) has taken on projects as their way of addressing community needs through tapping into resources available within Dupont. The CAP identified a need to provide young people with work-based learning experiences to enhance their efforts to prepare for the world of work. The Dupont Apprenticeship program was a need identified by this group. For six years Dupont has sponsored students from Benton and Carroll Counties in the two year apprenticeship program. In year one students are placed in the Plant Resource Group which offers a variety of work experiences for students. They are placed in different areas of the plant and have a chance to work in different jobs. Students selected are rising high school graduates. The first year gives them an opportunity to fine tune their work ethic and learn plant safety under close supervision. During the second year they are placed in jobs that are aligned with their career interests.
It Works! The Dupont Apprenticeship program has offered between 2 and 4 placements each year for six years. Students attend monthly meetings of the CAP and share their insights and ideas for improving the program. Dupont gets to select employees from this pool of students once they have finished their postsecondary education experience.
Contact:
Melissa Powell and Jim Juetten
Benton/Carroll Workforce Development Partnership
1245 Old Highway 69
Camden, TN 38320
(voice) 901-986-4482
(fax) 901-986-0198
E-mail: mcpowell@usit.net