By Amanda Amsel
Staff Writer
The Prairie Township Trustees approved the hiring of local high school students for the 2014 Summer Youth Program.
Starting in 2002, the township employs up to 10 local high school students to perform various tasks throughout the township.
“The students work with various crews to perform tasks that have to be complete in the township,” said Tracy Hatmaker, township administrator. “They usually work with the road department or in our office.”
Some of the tasks students have performed in the past include painting street curbs, cleaning up parks, filing, inputting data and storing files.
“The task really depends on the student, some are able to perform higher level jobs than others,” Hatmaker said. “In the past I have even had a student helping with meeting minutes.”
The only requirements to participate in the program are that students must be between 14 and 18 years old and be a Prairie Township resident. A majority of the students who participate in the program attend Westland High School.
Students will be paid minimum wage, which is $7.95 an hour, and work from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. a few days a week.
“The trustees approved to spend up to $9,400,” Hatmaker said. “The students will start in early to mid June and work until early to mid August.”
Students have already expressed an interest in the program and the township has a list of students who want to participate in this year’s program.
“Because we have done this program for so long teachers and guidance counselors help us spread the word and we already have a lot of students who are interested,” Hatmaker said.
“Kids see this as a great opportunity to gain real life work experience and earn a little money this summer.”
In past years, students have even asked their bosses at the township to write letters of recommendation for their college applications.
“This is the perfect opportunity to start to learn how to hold a job,” Hatmaker said. “We encourage everyone who is interested to apply.”
Selection of the student workers is on a first come first serve basis, but the township encourages anyone interested to apply. Sometimes students who are selected for the program cannot work the whole summer, so people on the waiting list can sometimes be called to fill in.
To apply for the Prairie Township Summer Youth Program, visit www.prairietownship.org.
