Lisa Gaither

The Greater Pell City Chamber of Commerce will hold a Business and Breakfast event on Wednesday, May 6 at the Pell City Center for Education and Performing Arts (CEPA) to discuss a new co-op program it’s planning to launch.

Created in partnership with the Pell City School System, the program will offer high school students the opportunity to alternate periods of academic study with periods of work experience in a field of interest.

“In an effort to prepare our students to be career ready, we want to provide them with opportunities for work experience in real work settings,” Pell City High School Principal Tony Dowdy said in a release. “During their senior year, students may have room in their schedules to participate in paid and non-paid work-based learning through internships, apprenticeships or job shadowing.”

Lisa Gaither, executive director for the Chamber, said many local business leaders are already heavily involved in supporting students as well as workforce or leadership development in the area. The co-op program combines both and offers mutual benefit to both the student and the employee.

Dowdy said those who are interested in having students come to their business or industry in an effort to help them to become career ready can acquire a form from the Chamber or the school and return it by May 8. He said employers would have the opportunity to meet with and interview students before they are placed.

For more, contact:

• Dr. Tony Dowdy at 205-338-2250 or email him at tony.dowdy@pellcityschools.net.

• Dr. Kim Williams, Curriculum Coordinator Pell City School System, 205-884-4440 ext. 235

• Lisa Gaither, Chamber Executive Director at 205-338-3377