DEH GAH GOT'IE KOE/FORT PROVIDENCE - For the past two weeks Dori-Ann Lefoin has been up and ready to catch her ride to work at 7:30 a.m.

"It's the first time I've had to wake up that early," she said.

As part of a work placement program Dori-Ann Lefoin works on a computer at the administration office at Atcon's Deh Cho Bridge camp. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

Lefoin is one of 10 senior high students at Deh Gah School in Fort Providence who are getting a taste of the working world. The students are all participating in a three-week work experience program.

The program mirrors the job application process, said Christopher Carson, the secondary teacher who organized the program.

Writing resumes and applying for positions with local employers prepared students for future job searches.

Students who were selected as perspective employees experienced a typical hiring process, including a full interview, Carson said.

Since June 8, students have been working for the hamlet, Deh Gah Got'ie First Nation, the Zhahti Koe Friendship Centre, Snowshoe Inn, CHFP Radio and Atcon. Each employer was instructed to treat the students like real employees.

The students are given feedback on performance and employers can fire them if they aren't showing up for work, Carson said. Although they aren't getting paid, each student will receive one high school credit for every 25 hours they work before June 26.

"There's a lot of value in it," said Carson.

The students are learning a lot about what's expected in a work environment and hopefully some placements will lead to summer jobs, he said.

"It shows them working is education and education is work," Carson said.

Dori-Ann Lefoin has been working at the administration office at Atcon's Deh Cho Bridge camp. Lefoin is picked up every morning at 7:30 a.m. and finishes at 5 p.m.

Lefoine's workday consists of creating spreadsheets and word documents and other clerical work such as organizing, filing and inventory.

"I've been enjoying meeting new people," she said.

Lefoin, 17, said she likes the work but the days are long and the camp is far from the hamlet so she can't go back during breaks.

The program is a good experience for students, especially if they've never had a job before, said Lefoin. It gets students used to going to work every day, she said.

One of Lefoin's co-workers agrees the program is a good idea. Kari Hergott, the site administrator at the camp, grew up in Fort Providence and attended school there until Grade 9.

In 1999, there weren't programs like this for students, said Hergott.

"I think it's great. It gives them a chance to see a lot of different things," she said.

Katelyn Gargan is also experiencing the program's benefits.

Gargan, 18, is working at the band office doing filing, paperwork and answering the phone. Gargan said she's learned a lot including how to do some business banking.

"I think it's good because students need work experience to get a job," Gargan said.