Sleepy Eye's OJT
On The Job Training Program

"Jobs help teens develop their skills and can smooth the path to full-time employment... They also help teens improve their school attendance rates, engagement and wellness" Another opportunity for our local youth/teens (15-19) to help fill job vacancies and gain job skills for life beyond high school.
This program has been developed by the Business Leaders and High Schools of Sleepy Eye, MN.  The goal is to help create pathways to employment and careers which exist within Sleepy Eye.   The program has been designed to combine both school and work-based learning by involving the participating student classroom instruction and actual work experience, training and mentoring.  Acceptance into this program is based more on work readiness then on academic performance.  The program will assist the students in developing skills they will need for the competitive job market.     
THE JOB FAIR
Part of the program is the Job Fair held for both high schools at the Sleepy Eye Event Center. This gives the students experience of attending a job fair. All the businesses that attend this job fair are part of the OJT business community.
Click on the pictures below to see the full image.
MAD CITY MONEY provided by SouthPoint Financial Credit Union
We know adulting can be hard especially when it comes to financial matters. That’s why we feel it is crucial to teach students how to build a budget and manage their money at a young age. The hands-on simulation, Mad City Money, gives youth age 15-18 a taste of the real world complete with occupation, salary, spouse, student loan debt, credit card debt and medical insurance payments. The students take on the role as an adult as they navigate Mad City and distinguish the difference between wants and needs.

Check out the video below to get an idea of what a session of Mad City Money is.
THE INTERVIEWS
To participate in this program, the student will need to attend a three-hour classroom training designed to help prepare the student on how to obtain a job.  If the student does not attend the training, they are not allowed in the OJT Program. The program will consist of instruction on how to fill out an application, how to prepare for an interview and resume, as well as business’s expectations of employees.  Following the classroom training, the student will interview with the actual businesses which they would like to learn more about by participating in the job shadow/intern program.  This program is not designed as a guarantee to students, but rather as a tool to assist in preparing students for life after high school.
This program is also designed to bring an awareness of the career opportunities which exist today in Sleepy Eye, MN.  Upon graduation from high school, students can look within their own community for career opportunities for their future. These opportunities may be needed right out of high school or after for those who have completed their college degree and wish to return.  Whatever the individual’s situation is, the business leaders of Sleepy Eye, MN want the students to know they have a place to go for a career.   

Student Expectations

  • Students that are a part of the OJT Program must have their own transportation to get them to & from their place of employment.
  • Every student that wants to be a part of the OJT Program must attend a three- hour training session prior to interviewing for an OJT position.
  • If a student sets up an interview and decides not to pursue a position with OJT, they must communicate that with the business that they were going to interview with & their school advisor.This should be prior to the day of the interview.
  • When students interview with a business for an OJT position, they are NOT guaranteed a job offer/placement. Job offers/placements can and will be affected by the number of students that apply and which businesses they apply to. The businesses will determine out of the interviews they conduct which student(s) will be the best fit for the position.
    • We are committed to placing as many students as possible in the OJT program.
  • Students who interview with a business & get offered a position (for the upcoming school year) must communicate with the business & their school advisor ASAP if their circumstances change & they decide to not be a part of the OJT Program.
  • It is the student’s responsibility to get a school calendar to the business they are placed with for OJT.
  • It is the student’s responsibility to communicate with the business they are placed with if they will not be at work on any day they are scheduled.(ex: illness, snow day, revised school schedule, school trip, Mass days, late start, early-out, etc.)
  • Students must follow all employer guidelines, including dress code, not showing up late, or leaving early, etc.The business will notify the high school if there are any truancy problems, and the student may be dismissed from the business and OJT Program.
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