Fifteen high school students will be part of the reinstituted cooperative education program at Anniston Army Depot this fall, when school begins.
The Student Educational Employment Program began in January 2001. Now called Pathways, it is a three-phase program beginning with training high school students who then progress to a technical college education and, finally, full-time employment at the depot if a position is available.
The spots are highly competitive and, for the first time, this year students had to apply through USA Jobs.
"You worked hard and came out as one of the most qualified," Marilyn Futrell, program specialist for Pathways told the students during an orientation session July 21.
The SEEP program took a break following the 2010-2011 academic year and, for the next two years operated as the Early College Enrollment Program.
Through ECEP, students took technical college classes with tuition assistance from Gadsden State Community College while working part time at ANAD.
Following the 2012-2013 academic year, however, ECEP ended.
Depot Commander Col. Brent Bolander addressed the break in the program and its potential effects on the workforce during his orientation remarks.
"We haven't done this for quite a while," he said. "We may not feel the effects of that now, but we will in time. So, restarting this program is a great thing for the depot."
The number of slots available for the program each year is driven by the depot's mission needs, as is the program interns will study.
This year, their focus will be diesel mechanics.
Two of this year's students are friends from Talladega High School.
Gabe Seaman and Micheal Horn each look forward to continuing their mechanical education.
Horn recently rebuilt much of his truck, doing the majority of the body work and engine rebuild himself.
For Seaman, the depot's program provides an interesting and unique career opportunity.
"It seemed like something different and good to do," he said. "It's something out of the ordinary."
Students were reminded they must maintain a 2.5 GPA during their time in the program and must adhere to all depot safety regulations.
"We stress safety here," said Futrell, as she outlined the various types of personal protective equipment which would be issued to each intern.
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