CATOOSA, Okla. -- A local nonprofit is expanding their internship program at the Tulsa Port of Catoosa to two school districts in Green Country.
Canaan Kallweit is one of the students at Catoosa High School enrolled in the Skills2Grow program.
"It will be a very good experience for the end of high school and my college years," said Kallweit.
Skills2Grow provides high school students with training in manufacturing, technology, and skilled labor trades at the Tulsa Port of Catoosa.
"I get to do some fun things as well like I’m going to learn about OSHA and how to ride a fork lift," said Kallweit.
Students will be in the classroom in the fall getting training and certifications from Tulsa Tech instructors, then come out to the port for the paid internship in the spring.
"There’s a shortage of skilled workforce and we need to get that, well students are the key," said April Salisbury, Executive Director of OK2Grow.
This school year, Catoosa and Owasso districts were added to the program. Union, Broken Arrow, and Sand Springs have been participating for a few years. 65 students are enrolled in this year's Skills2Grow program.
"They’re going to keep them local, they’re going to give them a career when they graduate high school, and it’s absolutely a win-win for the community," said Salisbury.
The port will hos a signing day in May, celebrating the students transitioning from internship to full time career.
"Students don’t necessarily have to go to college to have a great career," said Sheila Shook, Workforce and Education for the Tulsa Port of Catoosa.
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