The future potential of several local high school students preparing to enter the workforce has been realized over the summer months.

The Gustavus Adolphus Learning Center concluded its annual summer program with a career fair for its students Tuesday. Representatives from approximately 25 local businesses and organizations were on-hand to answer students’ questions and provide information on job opportunities within the context of their studies.

The center’s six-week summer program focuses on remediation and preparing students for New York state regents exams, along with service learning. The learning center requires all of its students to participate in community service activities, which can help participants develop a stronger sense of personal and social responsibility.

“We started the work program about three years ago, and it’s been very beneficial for our students,” said Amy McCloskey, director of education for the GA Learning Center. “Its mission is two-fold: it gives the kids an opportunity to be out in the community in a positive light, and it also gives the community an opportunity to see our students in a positive light. It really has grown, and I’m really impressed with both our kids and the community that has accepted them.

“(The students) shouldn’t be defined by being here,” she added. “This is just kind of a bump in the road for them, and when they move on from here they are able to go out and be productive members of society.”

For the duration of the summer program, students have been working six to 10 hours per week at various locations both on and off campus, including: Lutheran, a local alpaca farm, the Roger Tory Peterson Institute and the Chautauqua County Humane Society. Some of the skills and trades incorporated into the program included: dietary, beauty salon, cosmetology, maintenance, gardening, working with the residents of Lutheran and woodworking.

“The students were allowed to choose where they wanted to go and what they wanted to do based on where their interests lie; by no means were they forced into doing something they didn’t want to do,” said Alex Peterson, school guidance counselor. “And by the time they finish (the program), not only can they graduate with a Regents diploma, but they can graduate with a (Career Development Occupational Studies) credential that says they’ve done work-based learning; and that makes them even more employable when they graduate.”

Tyler, a student who assisted Roger Tory Peterson Institute with the removal and disposal of an invasive plant species from its grounds, said he feels more confident about heading into the workforce.

“It was a lot better being able to do more hands-on work instead of being lectured at in a classroom, so getting this kind of job experience has definitely helped me for the future,” he said. “It’s given me a bunch of on-the-job experience so I can know what to expect when I actually start working.”

The Gustavus Adolphus Learning Center is located at 200 Gustavus Ave. in Jamestown. For more information on the center and its annual summer program, call 665-2772 or visit lutheran-jamestown.org/learning-center.