Wednesday, The Vicksburg Post announced the Warren County Board of Supervisors has funded the Summer Work Enrichment Program for another year.

The program allows 20-something children to get experience in the workforce and learn how county government works by interning in county offices such as tax assessor, tax collector, chancery clerk, emergency management, 911, the district attorney, the library or the sheriff’s office.

District 3 Supervisor Charles Selmon founded the program, and he explained there were a number of benefits young people in Warren County could receive from the program.

“We’re trying to expose the youth to county government, we want them to see how it works. We also want them to see how the world of work works,” he said. “The interview by itself is valuable. We interview them as young adults, but at the same time, we expect adult reactions.”

We appreciate the efforts of the Board of Supervisors who are helping to provide knowledge and financial assistance to our youth.

The program’s committee is now reaching out to the private sector, recruiting industries like casinos and others to commit to taking on youth interns as well.

When businesses commit to funding an intern, the Summer Work Enrichment Program committee takes care of the rest, interviewing and selecting workers to fill the positions.

Programs like these are what perpetuate a strong community, encouraging students, especially those who obtain higher education, to come back and live and work in Vicksburg and Warren County.

However, we acknowledge that as with any partnership, it takes two to tango.

Parents, grandparents, teachers and anyone else working with youth should encourage them to take advantage of this prime opportunity.

They will have the opportunity to learn real life skills, both in the workplace and through knowledge of how local government works. Not to mention, the students will be able to earn some cash in the meantime.

Seventy-nine applicants were interviewed last year, and we’d love to see that number rise even higher this year. Perhaps this will help to encourage more businesses to take part in the program as well.

Applications as well as two letters of recommendations are due May 20. Applications may be picked up and dropped off at the Mississippi Department of Employment Security.