For many teens, summer is a time of relaxation. For students in Global Connections to Employment’s (GCE) summer community-based programs, it’s a season  of self-discovery and career development.

GCE’s summer youth program consists of pre-employment transition services designed to help students between the ages of 14 and 21 prepare for modern-day careers. Students participate in a variety of work-based learning experiences to explore careers and learn about the many choices they can make after high school.

In Pensacola, Florida, five of these students completed their activities at Escambia High School.

Their supervisor – lead custodian Keisha Hale – rated them “10 out of 10! They’ve been here on time every day, ready to go. I’ve never seen kids so ready to help.”

Based out of the high school facilities department, students gained experience in power washing, waxing floors, cleaning, sweeping and moving large furniture safely. But they also learned soft skills like communicating with each other and their supervisors, plus workplace basics like clocking in and out.

Nineteen-year-old Jasmine is looking forward to pursuing a culinary degree, and 19-year-old Ricardo plans to become an electrician – both starting at George Stone Technical College this fall. They said the skills they’ve learned this summer have helped prepare them for what’s ahead.

“Every day is something new,” Ricardo said. “I’ve really learned to appreciate the work that goes on here.”

The program works like a summer internship. Funded by Vocational Rehabilitation, it benefits both students – who earn money while gaining experiencing – and employers like Escambia County Public Schools. While employers provide on-site training, GCE offers follow-along and other support services to help students with disabilities be successful in the workplace.

Global Connections to Employment (GCE) is one of the nation’s largest employers of people with disabilities, headquartered in Pensacola, Florida, and operating with 2,500 team members across 14 states plus Washington, D.C.

Escambia High School is just one of the local sites hosting GCE summer youth program students. Businesses interested in hosting students in the future should contact Katrina Simpkins, GCE Senior Director of Community Employment Services, at 850-619-4050.