Internship Program Facilitates Workforce Development in Duncan

August 30, 2018

Career Pathways Coordinator at Duncan High School Lesa Hefner and student/intern Kyndle Lindsey discussed the Pathways to Future Careers Internship Program with DAEDF's Lyle Roggow on "Inside Duncan". "Inside Duncan" airs at 12:30 p.m. on Sundays on KSWO.

In 2016, Oklahoma House Bill 2534 passed, allowing high school students to receive an elective credit for an internship. In 2017, following a series of business and education community meetings and through the efforts of the Duncan Area Economic Development Foundation (DAEDF), Duncan Public Schools (DPS), and area employers, Duncan Public Schools' Pathways to Future Careers Internship Program was launched. In this first year, 36 organizations/businesses have hosed 53 Duncan High School students. Through the Duncan High School Internship Program, students learn employability skills and receive career training in the occupation they select. For instance, DAEDF intern Savannah Reynolds learned about economic development, how to manage financial information using QuickBooks, and in particular how the DPS Internship Program facilitates workforce development in the Duncan community.