More than 150 high school students from Kauai’s high schools were treated to the ClimbHI Leadership, Exploration, Inspiration (LEI) program on Tuesday at the Sheraton Kauai Resort.
Hawaii workforce development nonprofit ClimbHI partnered with the Sheraton Kauai Resort, the Hawaii Tourism Authority, the Hawaii Department of Education, and local businesses and organizations for the annual LEI program that exposed students to a variety of careers, orienting toward work in the hospitality industry.
“LEI is one of the key stepping stones from exposure to careers all the way through to the hiring process, allowing students to achieve their dreams and helping local businesses with workforce development,” said ClimbHI President Julie Morikawa. “Mahalo to the Hawaii Tourism Authority, our participating businesses, organizations, local colleges, and volunteers for their continued support of this program in its 13th year.”
LEI is a workforce development initiative that inspires youth to select careers in the Hawaii hospitality industry by providing them with the necessary means to achieve success, said a ClimbHI release.
LEI also helps students build relationships with local businesses and organizations throughout middle and high schools in ClimbHI Exposure Fairs, Exposureships, the HTA Work Wise program, Hiring Blitz events, as well as connections through the ClimbHI Bridge network.
ClimbHI estimates that more than 1,100 students and 100 businesses will participate in the program’s 13th year.
LEI Kauai follows the LEI Oahu event that played out on April 14 at the Hawaii Convention Center, and LEI Maui that was held on April 17 at the Sheraton Maui Resort &Spa. Following LEI Kauai, the group moves to LEI Hawaii Island that will take place on April 29 at the Castle Hilo Hawaiian.
Founded in 2008, ClimbHI seeks to inspire students to finish high school and proceed to post-secondary education or employment by exposing them to future career paths and the steps necessary to achieve those goals.
For more information, visit www.climbhi.org.
