Co-owners- Samantha Stuart and Kenzie Prosch
Magic City Pest Control is ready to make a huge impact on Birmingham City School students — and improve the business landscape in Birmingham as well.
Although it is just entering its second year of business, Magic City Pest Control has committed to provide an opportunity next spring for four seniors in Birmingham City Schools to learn valuable workforce skills and acquire hands-on experience through the Birmingham Promise’s apprenticeship program.
“We answered the call to serve so we can expand the window of possibilities for students in Birmingham,” said Kenzie Prosch, who owns Magic City Pest Control with Samantha Stuart. “Our goal is to equip students with the essential skills needed to build and explore career paths in entrepreneurship.”
The apprenticeship program offered by Birmingham Promise provides opportunities to get job experience, earn $15 an hour and gain classroom credit. The program offers students another resource for identifying strong career pathways, and since its inception in 2020, the apprenticeship program has placed over 150 students with over 80 employers throughout the city.
The benefits of the program extend well beyond the participating students.
“We want every student who walks across their high school graduation stage to have a pathway to a quality job,” said Rachel Harmon, Executive Director of Birmingham Promise. “But giving young people a chance to build relevant skills and gain valuable credentials will help Birmingham’s economy to thrive and help our city’s businesses to succeed.”
In addition to helping students pursue career and college opportunities, Birmingham Promise’s mission is to build a high-quality workforce for the city.
“In the pest control industry, we’re always looking to recruit and develop high-quality talent,” Prosch said. “There’s no better way for us to meet that need and to show our commitment to the future of Birmingham than by making investments in our students and the talent pool.”
Birmingham Promise’s next group of apprentices will start work in early 2022, and employers still have time to sign up for the program. Small and medium-sized businesses — which collectively employ more people than big companies — can play an important role by participating.
“I’d like to encourage every business in Birmingham to consider being an employer for the apprenticeship program,” Prosch said. “Students bring fresh perspectives, and you’ll have a hand in giving new leaders a chance to hone their skills in your respective industries, in turn readying students to pursue and fill positions within your company in the long run.”