Baldwin County, AL. — As students across Baldwin County wrestle with returning to classes and routine, 40 rising seniors are finishing a summer of listening, learning, and hard work. On August 2, 2024, these students will graduate from the Baldwin County Utilities Internship with a better understanding of the workplace and the systems that keep our society strong.
August 2nd marks the end of the fourth year of the Baldwin County Utilities Internship, and our utility partners at Daphne Utilities, Gulf Shores Utilities, North Baldwin Utilities, Belforest Water System, Riviera Utilities, and Fairhope Utilities, could not be more pleased with the results.
"This program is special," said Wes Boyett, Gas Superintendent for Fairhope Utilities. "It allows students to experience what the utility profession has to offer first-hand. They get skills that will give them an upper hand regardless of what profession they pursue."
Working closely with our partners at the Southwest Alabama Workforce Development Commission (SAWDC) and Baldwin County Board of Education (BCBE), the County’s local utilities received 87 student applications from 14 private and public schools, offering utility internships in electric, gas, water, wastewater, warehouse, customer service, engineering, and administrative services.
Baldwin County students worked closely with career coaches on their applications and prepped for interviews in April. This year, two interns were placed with Gulf Shores, five with Daphne, eight with Fairhope, four with North Baldwin, one with Belforest Water System, and 20 with Riviera Utilities.
"We always look forward to welcoming the interns," said Anthony Chaney, Appliance Services Supervisor at Riviera Utilities. "You tend to get attached to them over nine weeks. My main goal is to get them familiar with the trade, hoping that one or two of them continue work in the industry after graduation. I hope one day to drive up to the supply house and see them all here."
Baldwin County’s 2024 Utility Interns will share what they have learned this summer at graduation at Foley Civic Center. Parents of students, members of the media, and local school and city representatives are welcome to join us for this event.
