Baldwin County Public Schools (BCPS) is once again accepting applications for their summer utilities internship program, offering current high schools students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience and a paid internship at several local utility companies.

Per the release, this is the program's fourth year and is open to rising all BCPS high school seniors interested in pursuing a job in engineering, water, gas, HVAC, warehousing, wastewater, linework, administration, SCADA/AMI, customer service and maintenance.

According to the release, there are 42 positions available at six different public utilities across Baldwin County, including Riviera Utilities, North Baldwin Utilities, Daphne Utilities, Fairhope Utilities, Belforest Water and Gulf Shores Utilities.

The internships will be full-time, for nine weeks (June 3-August 2), with a compensation of $13.50 per hour. The deadline to apply is March 15, and the participating utility companies will then conduct interviews with interested students.

For more information, visitbcbe.org or contact your school's career coach.

About the program:
Per an August 2022 Gulf Coast Media article, the internship program was designed to prepare current high school students for life in the workforce, equipping them with the skills necessary for a career in public utilities.

"Our interns did not just stand around and watch other people work this summer," said Riviera Utilities administration manager Sharon Cureton. "They had real tasks and responsibilities, our supervisors took the time to train them and ensure that they learned real life work skills. They trusted them to do the work and ensure that they were able to perform."

Students involved in the program also have the potential to be hired by the company after completing their internship, as three students were hired by Riviera Utilities after completing the pilot program in 2021.

"We are striving to open doors, break barriers and propel more Alabamians forward with this program," Cureton said. "Public utility careers are rewarding and motivating because you get to work in the communities you live, and you get to serve your neighbors and friends."