IE Business Daily Business news for the Inland Empire.
Garner Holt Productions, the Redlands company that makes animatronic devices used by amusement parks, is providing internships to Inland high school students.
The company has partnered with the San Bernardino County Workforce Development Department to help local youth learn about potential careers in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math, according to a statement.
The internships are part of Garner Holt’s Education through Imagination program, which it launched recently so that it could work hands-on with students.
“When I heard that we had this opportunity to impact high school students, we jumped at the chance to make a difference,” said Ryan Rainbolt, Garner Holt’s director of educational programs, in the statement.
Seven students signed up for the first 120-hour program. Each was shown the company’s departments and was asked to design activities that could be taught to elementary school kids, including writing lesson plans.
“Given the sophistication of what is being done at [Garner Holt], even if none of the students choose animatronics or aspects of themed entertainment as a career path they’re going to be a better employee for someone else,” Rainbolt said.
The workforce development department is made up of representatives from the private and public sector that tries to strengthen the work skills of county residents. It is appointed by the board of supervisors.
