Students signing with colleges to play sports regularly get recognized at special events. Recently, local students who have found high school jobs will get similar recognition.

Nine students participated in the First Jobs Signing Day Feb. 28, part of Lexington-Richland School District 5’s First Jobs Initiative.

According to a press release, the initiative was started as a “way to help the district with the nationwide labor shortage, as well as prepare students to be career ready.” 

Juniors and seniors at each District 5 high school are able to participate in the initiative, which provides them with a paid internship within the district to provide work-based learning experiences for the students. 

“The job openings at the school district also provide students with a good alternative to other jobs in the area, which may require them to work late night shifts, weekends, and holidays,” the release notes.

The students honored at the district’s inaugural First Jobs Signing day all found work in the internship program. The goal is to highlight students who are able to secure a job in the same way as future collegiate athletes.

“Our desire is to empower students with the knowledge and career skills necessary to be successful in a dynamic and ever-changing global society,” Charity Simmons, career technical education coordinator for the district, told the Chronicle. “As we prepare students to enter the workforce, we want to celebrate students that have found the intersection between their passion, purpose and professional opportunities.”

Simmons said students are currently involved in internships in career fields like custodial, clerical services and student nutrition services, and the release mentions that they are also placed in the transportation and landscaping departments, as well.

“First Jobs gives students the opportunity to become career-ready by working with School District 5,” she said. “Also, students have the opportunity to work and earn money without leaving the school campus.”

“This is a fantastic opportunity to equip students with the necessary support skills for entering the workforce,” Simmons added.