DAPHNE — For six years, the Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce has given students the opportunity to get hands on experience in the real world through the Student Training and Exploration Program (STEP).

This voluntary program gives students from ninth through 12h grade who attend Baldwin County Public Schools to connect their classwork with certain skills that are needed in the workplace.

Over the past six years, high school students have gone to local businesses through Baldwin County such as The Grand Hotel to learn about hospitality and Equine Therapy Group Foundation to learn how to take care of horses and more.

On April 23, students from Fairhope, Spanish Fort and Daphne traveled to Daphne Utilities to get hands-on experience in the water works.

Chris Lugo, director of workforce development for the Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce, said the program is a way to show students they do not need to go to college to obtain a job.

"I am trying to get students to explore opportunities in the different career fields and see that there is more to school than getting that traditional degree," Lugo said. "It is ninth through 12th grade, so everybody gets to participate and we (ESCC) love what we are doing."

Daphne Utilities Communications Manager Samantha Coppels said giving back to the youth is an important part of their job at Daphne Utilities.

"We (Daphne Utilities) really want to touch them and let them see what all there is to offer in utility," Coppels said. "Whether it is a different career path, certifications or all the different things that they could see across the utility."

During the trip to Daphne Utilities, students cut pipes, learned proper safety practices and watched water flow. To students like Christian Curry, a junior at Daphne High School, this was more than just a field trip.

"What made me interested in water works was seeing people work in the street or in my yard," Curry said. "It just intrigued me, and I wanted to do that. This (STEP) will put me closer to working in this field and learn ahead of time what is required for the job and what we will be doing on the job."
Laura Sasser, Daphne High School social worker, said this program allows students to be better prepared for the work life after high school.
"Since they (the students) are getting ready to go out into the real world, they learned about budgeting and learned about money," Sasser said. "Learning about different job opportunities after high school is a big plus."