The document summarizes Fairfax County, Virginia's 2012 Make-It-Work Program, which partnered local high school students with county agencies to provide entry-level job skills and experience. Through this partnership between the county Department of Human Resources and public school Career and Transition Services, 10 students gained part-time paid internships across several county departments. The program helped students develop work skills while employers benefited from student labor. Both students and employers found the program mutually beneficial in preparing students for future careers.

1. The
2012 Make-It-Work Program
At-A-Glance
Fairfax County, Virginia

2. An Unique Opportunity
Fairfax County’s 2012 Make-It-Work
Program has been made possible by
generous funding through the 2011
CPSHR/IPMA-HR Innovation Grant.
Thank You!

3. Make It Work
What Is It?
• A unique government/school
partnership that provides
students an opportunity to
acquire entry-level job skills
leading to successful
employment

4. Who Is Doing It?
A Government/School Partnership:
AND
Fairfax County Fairfax County
Department of Public Schools
Human Resources (FCPS) Career
(Employment and Transition
Division) Services (CTS)

5. The Process—Coordinated Roles
• Through each stage of
the Make-It-Work
Program, each partner
fulfills unique roles that
required ongoing
coordination.
• Continuous
communication fuels the
entire program.

6. Partnership Responsibilities
School Employer
• Work skills instruction • Identify positions
• Job analysis
• Interview students
• Job matching
• Provide training and
• Support and follow-up
supervision
• Transportation
• Student performance • Evaluate student
evaluations performance
• Disability awareness • Provide on-going
training communication and
• On-going communication collaboration
and collaboration

7. Program Overview
• Total Grant Award: $25,000
• Grant Period: One calendar
year (January 2012 –
December 2012)
• 10 part-time positions
(without benefits)
• 10 positions from Human
Resource Department were
deployed to hosting
agencies/departments

8. Program Overview (cont.)
• Hourly compensation: $9.00/hour
• Length of internships: Ranged
from 6 months to 11 months
• Weekly work schedules balanced
student availability with agency
needs
• Typical # of scheduled work hours
per week: 10 hours

9. About Our Interns
• 21 resumes received from interested students representing
16 schools across the county.
• Of the 10 selected, seven of the interns were graduating
seniors and worked through August. Three of the interns
will work through December when the grant ends.

10. Where Were the Internships?
The 2012 Make-It-Work interns were housed
within the following departments/agencies
across the county:
•Community Services Board – Human Resources
•Community Services Board – Infant and Toddler Connection
•Dept. of Administration for Human Services – Alcohol Safety Action
Program
•Dept. of Health – Environmental Health Division
•Dept. of Housing and Community Development – Human
Resources, Rental Services

11. Where Were the Internships?
The 2012 Make-It-Work interns were housed
within the following departments/agencies
across the county:
•Dept. of Human Resources – Employment Division
•Dept. of Neighborhood and Community Services – James Lee
Community Center
•Dept. of Public Works and Environmental Services – Capital
Facilities Division
•Dept. of Vehicle Services
•Police Dept. – Administrative Support Bureau

12. Student Responsibilities
Arrive for work when scheduled
Perform all duties as assigned
Adhere to office policies
Communicate with supervisor
Ask questions
Dress appropriately
Participate in evaluation process
Attend career enhancement
workshops

13. Sample Job Duties
 Assembling mailings
 Checking email
 Copying
 Data entry
 Filing
 Light automotive mechanics
 Reception desk coverage
 Updating Excel spreadsheets
 Updating Microsoft Word documents

14. Acquired Skills and Abilities
 Ability to work on a team
 Communication skills
 Computer skills
 Interpersonal skills
 Organizational skills
 Task management skills
 Time management skills

15. Applied Life Skills
• Building a •Transportation logistics
resume
•Bureaucracy of
• Applying for jobs with government agencies
Fairfax County
•Evaluations
• Interviewing skills
•Direct deposit
• Acceptance/
rejection

16. Partnerships Make It Happen

17. How Is It Working
“The Make-It-Work Program has been a
wonderful opportunity to help our local high
school students learn more about not only the
business side of things, but the county as well.
Our intern has been a wonderful representation
of the Fairfax County school system. Thank
you very much for this opportunity.”
- DPWES Capital Facilities Division

18. Making It Work

19. How Is It Working
“We are very pleased with our Make-It-Work
intern. She has hit the ground running – very
polite, courteous, helpful. She is a welcome
addition to our staff. She is a great worker.”
- Alcohol Safety and Action Program

20. Making It Work

21. How Is It Working
“It’s a win-win situation. You are receiving help
while also giving help.”
-Community Services Board - Human Resources

22. Making It Work

23. What the Interns Are
Saying…
“It made me declare what I want to do after
college. It also showed me what an office-based
job looks like.”
“It gave me experience for my resume and gave
me a lot of responsibility. It was a great
experience.”

24. 2012
Make-It-Work Program
“This is about people.”
--Fairfax County Host Agency 2012

25. We Made-It-Work
And So Can You…