SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- Starting at the age of 14, most teenagers are able to obtain a permit to start their first job and receive taxable compensation for doing work.
Currently, Spangdahlem Air Base has in place a similar program to help students gain employment during the summer months.
The 52nd Force Support Squadron put together a summer hire program that provides job opportunities for students of Spangdahlem AB.
“The objective of the U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa student employment program is to accomplish necessary work through the temporary employment of United States citizen student dependents,” said Alexandra Hatcher, 52nd FSS human resources specialist. “As a by-product of this objective, students are given the opportunity to gain valuable work experience and to earn money while in the overseas area.”
The program is in its second consecutive year here and 11 years running in total at Spangdahlem. Approximately 35 applicants are set for employment in 2020 despite a global pandemic. This is a significant increase in eligible applicants from 2019.
Students were placed in eight different squadrons around base to include the 52nd Fighter Wing, 52nd Civil Engineer Squadron, 52nd FSS, and 52nd Logistics Readiness Squadron.
“Work for the summer hires may range from general, unskilled, trainee-level duties to some low to medium skilled assignments,” said Hatcher. “Work may involve manual labor such as lifting light to medium packages, materials, etc., or performing general cleaning. Work may also involve simplified clerical work such as answering phones, processing incoming mail, or operating office machines to make copies, send fax paperwork, etc.”
While this may be the first employment opportunity for many students, they are still expected to maintain the standards of conduct as a federal employee of the Air Force.
“Student employees are required to know their chain of command and use this chain for any workplace concerns, observe laws, regulations, and policies governing employee conduct and responsibility, also seek out additional training and feedback opportunities to improve job performance,” said Paula Blackwell, 52nd FSS civilian personnel officer. “This program is set in place to meet the mission requirements of units on Spangdahlem AB along with increased focus on development for our students to prepare them for the workforce.”
The 52nd FSS believes that by focusing on employee development students will have the opportunity to experience and grow within their organizations and have better opportunities in their future careers.