ABERDEEN, Md. - A C. Milton Wright High School sophomore is learning customer service skills first hand by working at the Aberdeen Proving Ground Bowling Center this fall.
Earl Hedgmon is one of seven teens participating in the Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation's HIRED! program introduced to the APG community this year. The HIRED! program provides paid apprenticeships for 15- to 18-year-olds.
Hedgmon has been working at the Bowling Center during the weekends.
The apprenticeship lasts for 12 weeks, with the option of working in the same location for another semester.
Hedgmon said that he does a variety of tasks around the bowling center, including working the cash register, cleaning and cooking.
He said that he would recommend the program to other teens.
"I am glad that I have had this chance to gain some work experience," Hedgmon said. "It is also something that I can add to my resume and college applications later."
Lora Owens, who is the manager of the Bowling Center and Hedgmon's on-site mentor, said that she feels like the program provides good work experience for teens.
"It gives teens necessary experience before going out into the work field. I think it is a very good program," she said. "Earl is a natural with customers and is always keeping himself busy with work."
Owens said that another benefit of the program is that it gives teens an opportunity to learn about a variety of career fields before they graduate high school.
He added that more APG employees should consider mentoring teens.
"Earl has done a fabulous job working with customers and boosting the overall morale of the APG Bowling Center," she said. "Hopefully I will get a chance to work with more teens like Earl in the future. It has also been a pleasure working with Jay Mckinney [APG HIRED! program coordinator]."
About HIRED!
The HIRED! program offers a variety of job placements in FMWR facilities for teens of military and government civilians assigned to APG.
To secure apprenticeships, candidates must achieve and maintain a 2.0 grade point average or higher before completing a pre-assessment and interviews with facility managers.
Depending on the skills and interest teens show in these interviews, they are placed with an appropriate organization under the direct supervision of a designated on-site mentor who is responsible for tutoring their individual apprentices.
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