LWA 1: Give Me TEN

Give Me TEN is the kickstart to an industry’s work-based learning journey; specifically in the automotive repair industry in collaboration with small businesses, area high schools, CTE programs and Workforce Development. The Give Me TEN program has been proven and tested as a simple way for small business to grow their own employees and create its own skilled workforce through an internship and education to connect with area businesses to develop much sought after internship opportunities for students.

Sue Dickson, founder of the Give Me TEN Program, a female, small-business owner of Closs Tires, a superior fleet repair automotive business located in Waukegan, Illinois, that has serviced residents in the automotive industry for over 40 years. Sue was introduced to the Lake County High Schools Tech Campus and learned through the instructor, Jack Wilson, the issues with internships. Sue went to work to create the Give Me TEN Program. Sue launched the program in partnership with Jack, the Tech Campus, a group of independent shop owners, and Lake County Workforce Development. Sue is the link between industry and education and has grown the program across the county and country.

Jack Wilson is the Automotive Service II Instructor at the Lake County Tech Campus. Jack has been a part of the Automotive Industry for 25 years including 17 years as a high school instructor. Jack is the education part of the Give Me TEN program. Jack sees the Give Me TEN program as a new spin on the high school internship program that didn’t have momentum or ability to build.

Sue’s goal with the program was to simplify the relationship between industry and vocational education. The program asks shop owners for ten hours of time. Students report to the shop for 2 hours at a time over a 3-week period. Students receive workplace tours, introductions to all employees and jobs, safety training and introduction to technical work. This time provides the shop owner the opportunity to look at the skills and ability of the student and decide if they want to invest more hours into training. It’s also the chance for the student to decide if this is the type of work they want to do.

After the ten hours, if this is a fit, a work-experience/internship is customized to meet the needs of the business and student. Workforce Development assists with providing WIOA funding to pay the wages for the eligible youth, and the program seeks additional grant funding to ensure all youth can have access to a meaningful paid internship. The program has served 114 high school students to date and has accessed upwards of $500,000 in grant funding.

The mission of the program is to provide a work-based learning model that any industry can utilize to bridge the skills gap. Combining classroom instruction with work-based learning opportunities, it starts with 10 hours and can grow into a new employee, a new career. It’s as simple as Can you “Give Me TEN?”

Both Sue Closs and Jack Wilson have been recognized nationally and invited to education and industry speaking engagements for their work on the program. Check out the program, successes, individual recognitions, and recorded podcasts on the website www.givemeten.org