The inaugural Summer Works Youth Internship Program connected 45 Caddo Parish high school students with paid internships at 22 local employers during June, giving participants hands-on work experience while earning high school credit.
Summer Works is an extension of the Caddo Works initiative, launched earlier this year through a partnership among the City of Shreveport, Caddo Parish Public Schools and the Greater Shreveport Chamber. The program pairs students with employers in industries across the parish while incorporating classroom instruction focused on workplace readiness.
Students completed internships from June 1 through June 30, spending at least 107 hours working in positions aligned with their career interests and regional workforce needs. Alongside their on-site experience, participants received instruction on professional communication, teamwork, critical thinking and other workplace skills.
“The response from both students and employers speaks volumes about the commitment our business community has to building a stronger workforce pipeline right here at home,” Greater Shreveport Chamber Chairman Scott Ward said. “When our young people see the career opportunities that exist in Caddo Parish, they are more likely to stay, grow and contribute to the long-term prosperity of this region.”
Each student and employer was supported throughout the program by a dedicated Summer Works coordinator to help ensure a successful internship experience.
Caddo Parish Public Schools Superintendent Keith Burton said the classroom component was designed to reinforce the professional skills employers consistently seek.
“We know from employers across every industry that technical skills can be taught, but it is the soft skills, how to communicate professionally, how to work as part of a team and how to approach problems with a growth mindset, that truly determine long-term success,” Burton said. “Through Summer Works, we are giving our students a foundation they will carry with them throughout their careers.”
The summer initiative builds on the pilot Caddo Works program introduced during the 2025-26 school year. The program is open to eligible high school students across Caddo Parish, and employers that already hire high school students for summer jobs may also have those positions recognized as approved cooperative education sites.
Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux said the program gives students an opportunity to explore career paths while building relationships within the community.
“We want every young person in Shreveport to be able to look around this community and see their future here,” Arceneaux said. “Summer Works gives students a chance to meet mentors, explore careers and experience firsthand what it means to be a part of this city’s story.”
Participating employers represented a variety of industries, including education, hospitality, child care, workforce development, government, nonprofit organizations and skilled trades. Internship sites included Caddo Parish Public Schools, the City of Shreveport, Goodwill Industries, Providence House, Catholic Charities, The Highland Center, Storer Services, Vintage Design Group, Operation Green Recycling, Lotus Hospitality and several local businesses and community organizations.
The Caddo Works program will continue this fall. Employers interested in participating can register at caddoworks.us or contact the Greater Shreveport Chamber for additional information.
