Employees of the new Orrville Summer Job Youth Program attended an orientation session Thursday.

The program will start on Monday as students start working at local offices and businesses like the Orrville City Hall, Dollar General, the United States Post Office and more.

Work hours will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Mondays through Thursdays.

The program has a total of 14 employees, who all attend Keith Middle/High School.

It is funded through a collaborative partnership of the Town of Orrville and local businesses and pays each employee $7.53 per hour.

Employees took a pledge to put their best foot forward for what is a first job for some.

Guest speakers came and spoke to the group about what to expect on the job in addition to workplace etiquette.

Topics included punctuality, how to keep positive attitudes, taking initiative and professionalism.

Keith Middle/High School Principal Fredrick Hardy, counselor William Powell and Alabama Career System Employment Security Representative Vivian Black all gave advice to the students.

Moris Collins expects to benefit from the job program.

“Now, I will be able to fill in that spot when applying for future jobs. It will help me learn what it is like to be responsible and how it is to be an adult in the real world,” Collins said.

Black is a Keith High alumna who said she is happy to see the community offer youth a program that didn’t exist when she was in school.

“Knowing that they should be to work on time and being there with a positive attitude are some things to keep in mind when they go to college and move on to other jobs,” Black said.

Sandra Cowan is glad that her daughter has been chosen to be a part of the program and hopes she learns the value of making money and being responsible.

“She will get to interact with other kids and get a chance to know what it’s like to have a job and the responsibilities that come with it,” Cowan said. “This is a great opportunity for the children here. To actually have a summer job program in the city is amazing.”

Orrville Mayor Louvenia Lumpkin said she is excited to finally have the program in the city and wants it to be offered for years to come.

“These young people are ready to go to work. I want them to see the program as a challenge. I want it to teach them discipline,” Lumpkin said.

She wants to have more sponsors in the future so that everyone who applies will be placed in the program.