Municipalities deliver numerous services to improve quality of life for their residents. However, many of the critical positions used to deliver these services are facing staff shortages. These positions include public works, fire, law enforcement, risk managers and consultants, and many other municipal jobs. Municipalities have to come up with innovative means of recruiting employees for these positions.
A method that could potentially help fill positions one day is to expose future generations to these jobs. SC Career Kids is one company doing exactly that.
SC Career Kids is providing opportunities for children to explore careers through interactive experiences where students engage and build relationships with skilled experts. Their mission is to initiate career exploration at a formative age allowing the future workforce to learn about opportunities in South Carolina.
SC Career Kids works with its participants to improve critical thinking skills and the ability to communicate effectively. While technical skills are critical, interpersonal skills are equally valuable. Prospective employers will look beyond technical skills and determine if job candidates have strong communication, teamwork, problem-solving, adaptability and leadership skills.
Through the program, children receive opportunities to attend spring and summer camps, afterschool clubs and in school pop-up events. Curriculums used at these events provide hands-on activities, role-playing exercises and essential safety skills. The program’s safety town camps introduce children to careers that make up their community, including grocery store workers, pharmacists, councilmembers and farmers.
Even though these future leaders have a while before they enter the workforce, it is imperative that municipalities work to expose the children in their community to these career opportunities. The exposure could lead these children back to their municipality once they become adults entering the workforce.
The Municipal Association of South Carolina recently developed a coloring book about local government to introduce the roles and functions of cities and towns in age appropriate and engaging ways. The coloring book turns complex ideas — such as the roles of city leaders, how municipalities make decisions, and the services local government provides — into relatable concepts for second graders.
The coloring book is not only an educational tool, but also a way to spark curiosity and pride in their hometown.
This educational tool is part of a broader Association initiative to deepen the awareness of the essential role local governments play in our state, increase civic education and highlight the career opportunities in cities and towns across South Carolina.
To learn more about SC Career Kids, visit https://sccareerkids.com. To learn more about the coloring book initiative, contact Meredith Houck, communications manager for the Municipal Association, at mhouck@masc.sc.