Students from Calera High School will have the opportunity to learn more about career fields offered through Alabama Power during a one week Power Up Camp being held July 11-14.

The new camp is being offered by Calera High School in collaboration with Alabama Power and the Shelby County Education Foundation, who provided a $5,000 grant to cover expenses associated with the camp.

Principal Joel Dixon said the camp is designed to show students in a hands-on environment the types of career fields offered through Alabama Power.  It will also teach students how to attain careers through education or training.

Students will begin day one of the camp at Calera High School, where they will hear from representatives from the Alabama Power Human Resources and Public Relations departments.  Students will also learn about soft skills needed for employment from Shelby County Schools Career Coach Aubri McClendon. Doug Forsythe and Mike Smith will lead discussions about job opportunities available regardless of whether they want to take a college track to continue their education or a career track which will focus on job skills training.

Beginning on day two of the camp, students will take field trips to various Alabama Power facilities located in Calera, Wilsonville and Clanton.

Dixon said the school is targeting two types of students for the Power Up.  The first group is students interested in applied sciences careers, such as biology, environmental sciences, wildlife management, etc.  The second group is students interested in career technical fields offered through Alabama Power, including linemen and mechanics.

“Our ultimate goal is helping kids see the connections between what we do here at school and what Alabama Power does,” Dixon added.