What does it take to be a high quality employee? Good communication. Being on time. Having a positive attitude. Being a hard worker. The list goes on.
For youth employees at Jubilee Jobs, these skills and others were just a few discussed by Executive Director, Ruth Lumpkins at the two week Employment Academy. The program began last week and GR Summer Jobs Journal ’12 met up with the employees in training at Baxter Community Center.
We walked into an afternoon learning session that was abuzz with something called a “10 minute Challenge.”
The challenge is an ice-breaker activity that provides a plethora of examples of what it takes for an employee to interact with others and find success in a workplace setting. After 10 minutes, the youth were to have completed a series of steps, some silly, like singing a song or forming a conga line, and others a little more serious, like answering the question: What is something you are good at? The activity helped to create cohesion between members in each group and also provided the opportunity for leadership, organization, compromise and critical thinking.
Adell
Age: 14
How do you think the training you are doing will help you on the job?
The training is like a test, if you study and listen, then you’ll succeed on the test. This training is like the studying and as long as we apply what we learn, then we will be able to do well in our jobs.
As reiterated by Ms. Lumpkins – for young employees, knowing ones role in the workplace is critical. In many ways, being a student is like being an employee. You are expected to be in class at a certain time, to get your work done and done to the best of your abilities, to pay attention, to be respectful, to ask questions and to be cooperative with your peers and superiors.
“In the workplace, you’ll be graded on how well you’ve completed tasks,” said Ruth. “This is an opportunity to make a few bucks, yes, but it is really the benefit of having a work experience where you are challenged and can grow, that will help you the most.”
Brothers, Isaac and Isaiah 
Age: 15
What sorts of jobs skills are you hoping to learn about?
I want to learn about how to work with numbers. I want to own a business someday, so I need to know how to do everything. –Isaac
What are you looking forward to this summer, specifically in the working environment?
I want to get to know other people, have the fellowship and learn how other people act. I want to make money, save and have fun – but do my work at the same time. I am willing to do what I have to do. – Isaiah
What are your plans for the future?
We both want to move to Georgia, which is where we are from. We want to open up a salon, do styling, open a boutique, design shoes and have our own business. –Isaac and Isaiah