Nothing prepares a student for the future better than real world job experience. Masonic Village at Elizabethtown’s Environmental Services Department is teaming up with students from Lancaster-Lebanon Intermediate Unit (IU) 13 to assist them with practical job skills.
IU 13’s Early Childhood & Special Education Services Student Worker Program helps young adults make a successful transition from school to productive adult life by providing community-based training in real work settings. Students learn self-determination and functional academics while developing employability, social and independent living skills.
“It’s important for businesses and organizations to provide these opportunities because a lot of students will be entering these fields directly out of high school,” Will Betancourt, job trainer with IU 13, said. “They have the opportunity to see parts of the job they would not be able to learn in a classroom or a book.”
This spring, a total of 40 students from Columbia and Palmyra High Schools will visit Masonic Village for training. Their IU 13 instructor and Melissa Retallack, environmental services systems coordinator, will accompany them as they learn housekeeping and laundry skills, infection control, communication skills, teamwork and much more in the Masonic Health Care Center. The students will also participate in mock job interviews.
“Students will have the opportunity to get to know the position intimately, ask questions about the job, problem solve and feel a sense of accomplishment when they make progress,” Will said.
For several years, Masonic Village has teamed up with IU 13 to offer internships and job experience. Students have interned with the Environmental Services and Food Services Departments, and some have joined the organization as part-time employees.
“The students are excited to be here,” Melissa said. “It was heartfelt to see the smiles on their faces when they arrived, took pictures for their badge and held them with honor. They are eager to learn and to become part of the culture here at Masonic Village.”
In 2016, to serve students across a variety of interests, Masonic Village also hosted interns on the campus’ farm, as well as in the nutrition services; pharmacy; physical, occupational and speech therapy; social services; music therapy; and therapeutic recreation departments.
