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Workplace Learning Connection asks Benton County for $2,575.50, highlights internships and job shadows
Summary
Christine Ball of Workplace Learning Connection told supervisors the regional intermediary delivered thousands of job shadows and internships and asked Benton County for an annual contribution of $2,575.50 based on the 2020 census to sustain local services and school‑business connections.
Christine Ball, director of Workplace Learning Connection, briefed the Benton County Board of Supervisors on Nov. 14 about the regional program's deliverables and asked the county for $2,575.50, a per‑county contribution calculated from the 2020 census, to continue local services.
Ball described the program's role as a single point of contact linking schools and businesses to expand career exposure for students from sixth through 12th grade. She said the intermediary coordinates speakers, STEAM institutes, financial literacy fairs, mock interviews and concurrent‑credit internships. Last year the program logged more than 4,500 job shadows; by November of the current year presenters said they had already recorded about 3,800 job shadows.
Ball highlighted local examples in Benton County, including j‑term internships in Belle Plaine and partnerships with local businesses such as Tice Automotive and Ideal Industries. She said about 50% of students who complete internships are offered further employment by the host business and that students who participate in job shadows and internships enroll in concurrent‑enrollment college programs at higher rates.
Local liaison Laura Minor was identified as the county contact for school coordination. Ball asked supervisors to consider the county contribution to support continued operations and to help expand access for students with transportation barriers.
Next steps: supervisors will consider the request within the county budget process and staff will include the Workplace Learning Connection contribution in upcoming budget materials.
