Community Work experiences

The Community Transition Program(CTP) is a program of the University Place School District(UPSD). The focus of our programming is community-based internships. We employ job coaches who support interns at community job sites to learn job skills, supervised by the classroom teacher.

We provide transportation, training, and supervision at community job sites. We use public transportation as frequently as possible to practice community navigation skills getting to and from work.

We work with local business partners to set mutual goals that meet the needs of your business and match interns based on those needs.

We partner with community employers to provide feedback on interns' progress and goals.

CTP interns also engage with local organizations in work-based learning opportunities including:

Short- and long-term internships
Work sampling
Special project completion
Service learning
Job shadows
Guest speakers

local businesses make ctp possible

Businesses collaborate with CTP staff to develop volunteer work experiences during the school year. Most interns are available to support businesses 2-3 hours a day during the school week, with flexibility depending on the business' needs.

Businesses communicate with the job coach to support the intern's learning and success as well as support the mutually beneficial goals of the intern and business.

benefit to employers

Our interns bring skills, professionalism, and a positive attitude to your organization. Working with our interns fosters diversity and positive connections for the community.

University Place School District helps by

Matching interns to the needs of your organization
Providing skilled and motivated interns
Providing qualified job coaching staff to support the business, intern, and successful attainment of work goals
Facilitating the work experience to support successful attainment of work goals and maximum benefit to the organization and intern
Helping businesses learn fresh perspectives and reap immediate benefits of support to your organization, while building your candidate pipeline

Most interns have obtained a Washington State Food Worker card and other certifications.

Benefit to interns

Local businesses provide an inclusive, authentic learning setting for students to reach their highest potential in independence and readiness for employment.

University Place School District helps by

Matching interns to meaningful internships, when possible in their chosen field
Supporting students in gaining employment soft skills in a work environment
Helping students gain professional social skills in real-work setting
Providing interns with work-readiness experience to enhance their resume and hiring prospects, and help enable them to have viable and economic choices and futures after graduation
Supporting interns and families in linking to long-term employment services which support paid employment