INVESTORS IN STUDENTS' FUTURES: Richbourg School recognizes partners (PHOTOS)

FLOWER BASKET: Richbourg School student Jonathan Roche, classroom assistant Phyllis Dawson, student Leslie Chase, employee Sharon Jinkins, student Kaitlyn Potts, business owner Joanna Martinez and student Cierra LeDuc.

CRESTVIEW — Some Richbourg E.S.E. School students are prepared to enter the workforce thanks to seven Crestview businesses.

The school for North Okaloosa County special needs students recently acknowledged its fourth year of successful business partnerships through its On the Job Training program.

See 8 photos from the award presentations>>

The program “focuses on teaching job skills and applicable work behaviors through direct instruction and actual work experience in area businesses,” OJT coordinator Cindy Brunson said.

For the 2013-14 school year, returning partners Uncle Bill’s Family Restaurant and the Crestview Wal-Mart Supercenter joined the North Ferdon Boulevard Subway, the Wal-Mart Subway, Goodwill Industries, The Flower Basket and Okaloosa Grain and Feed in training students.

“These business owners and managers have agreed … to give training in job skills so the students can gain work experience and earn good references that are invaluable in helping them obtain gainful employment after high school,” Brunson said.

In addition to job-specific training, students learn job performance behaviors including being on time, being well-groomed and completing assigned tasks, Brunson said.

“We appreciate our business partners for investing in these students’ futures,” she said.

WANT TO HELP?

Businesses may partner with the Richbourg E.S.E. School On the Job Training program to help prepare special needs students for the Crestview area workforce. Contact OJT coordinator Cindy Brunson, 689-5089 or brunsonc@mail.okaloosa.k12.fl.us, for details.

Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes at brianh@crestviewbulletin.com, follow him on Twitter @cnbBrian or call 850-682-6524.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: INVESTORS IN STUDENTS' FUTURES: Richbourg School recognizes partners (PHOTOS)