Westford Academy's Senior Internship Program Targets Growth for 2011
From: Westford Rotary Club
Contact: Rich Lewan
Ph: 978-846-3779
Email: lewan.rich@gmail.com
For Immediate Release:
Westford Academy's Senior Internship Program TARGETS GROWTH FOR 2011.
Business Leaders of the Westford Rotary Club spearheading an initiative to expand area Business participation in 2011.
The Senior Internship Program places Westford Academy Seniors in a 5 week internship at local businesses. The goal is to provide real workplace experience to the students. For 2011 the Program hopes to expand the number of Seniors participating beyond the 172 in 2010.
This program has a strong commitment by Westford Academy Principal Jim Antonelli. It is executed under the direction of the WA Guidance Department and the leadership of Wendy Pechacek. "This Internship program is a collaboration that brings the workforce of tomorrow into real world applications and experience of numerous Businesses in the Greater Westford area" says Jeannette Wilkinson, President of the Westford Education Foundation, a non-profit organization that has been a strong supporter and promoter of the Internship program.
Pechacek notes: "We have had great success & growth within this program. In just 7 years it has grown from 12 interns the first year to 172 interns last year. Our students are actively looking for internship positions now."
Post graduates have many great things to say about the real life work experience.
"The challenge now is reaching many more businesses, even outside of Westford, that are at least open to investigate taking on one or more high school Senior’s as Interns" says Westford Rotarian and Past President Jim Pecora.
To help meet this goal, the Westford Rotary Club is inviting other Business Owners to attend our weekly luncheon on January 13th. The Club has invited a few WA Grads to speak this Luncheon. We will hear first hand from 2 or 3 returning college students, accompanied by Westford Academy staff, and board members of Westford Education.
Club meetings are held at Noon in the Westford Grille 2nd floor banquet room 142 Littleton Road in Westford. RSVP is requested by January 11th to Jim Pecora at 978-815-6022.
The internship runs from April 11 until May 20, Westford Academy’s 4th quarter. Wendy can be reached by email wpechacek@westfordk12.us for more information. “We are very appreciative of the efforts of these two primier organizations as well as others, for the initiatives they put forth to again support the youth of our Community” concluded Pechacek.