Lamoni CSD Summer Work Experience Program (SWEP) Paves the Way for Student Success
Lamoni Community Schools is proud to showcase the resounding success of its Summer Work Experience Program (SWEP), an initiative designed to transition students from the classroom directly into the world of work. The attached video provides an exciting look at how SWEP is fulfilling its mission to give students "More Than a Job"—it's giving them a meaningful career pathway.
Program Foundation and Leadership
The initial Summer Work Experience Program (SWEP) was made possible through a generous grant from Grand River Mutual (GRM) Networks. The program was a truly collaborative effort, overseen by Lamoni CSD teachers:
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Jon Hampton, FACS Teacher
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Larry Johnson, Business Teacher
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Lacey Whitaker, AG Teacher
This inaugural year offered opportunities for six Lamoni students to gain crucial workplace experience with local businesses.
Key Goals and Achievements
SWEP is built on the philosophy that real-world exposure is the best preparation for life after high school. Through the program, students gain vital workforce readiness skills, build confidence, and explore their potential future careers. The goals focus on building a better student and a stronger community workforce:
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Helping students explore viable career pathways.
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Connecting classroom instruction to hands-on job experience.
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Building the desired soft skills employers value, such as communication, time management, and accountability.
This past summer, our students accomplished incredible feats, including:
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40 hours of targeted instruction in workplace skills and career readiness.
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Over 400 hours of on-the-job training with valued local employers.
Impact and Testimonials
The feedback from our students and the results speak for themselves. Participants reported increased confidence and a strong sense of preparedness. Remarkably, 100% of the students felt more confident about their future job prospects as a result of SWEP.
In a powerful validation of the program’s effectiveness, two of the six participants were offered and accepted employment directly from their work experience in the program, illustrating how SWEP opens doors to immediate career opportunities for Lamoni students.
As one student noted in the video, "It teaches you life skills and time management, common sense, and communication skills." SWEP alleviates the fear of starting a career by providing a structured, supportive entry into the workforce.
The Summer Work Experience Program is more than a job. It’s an opportunity. It’s experience. It’s a head start on the future. We are proud to help our students take that first step: Building Skills. Building Confidence. Building Futures.