Latest news with #TeamWorks
New York Times
18-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
The Tiny Home Construction Contest Is a Big Deal in This Texas Town
The plumber, the mason, the electrician and the carpenter arrived a full hour early to collect their blueprints. They had two days in June to build an eight-foot by 10-foot tiny home inside the convention center in downtown Atlanta. They knew little else about their assignment, but they were anxious to get started. And they were ready to win. The four-person crew, all students at Belton High School in Belton, Texas, were defending the school's title as the reigning national champions of mock tiny home construction. Every year, around 6,700 students participate in roughly 115 trade contests like auto mechanics, baking, cosmetology and robotics at the SkillsUSA Championships. In Belton, a town of open fields and highways halfway between Waco and Austin, the prize for home construction could make the students stars. The teens could get a segment on the local television station, a spread in the front of the yearbook, a giant banner strung up in the high school wood shop and attention from local and national homebuilders who scout their school and the convention for talent. Belton High was the winningest in the 23-year history of the national TeamWorks contest, taking the top prize three times, including last year. But those boys had graduated and the new crew had never competed at this level. And yet, the new team — the plumber Joseph Fuentes, the mason Bryson Necessary, the electrician Erik Schiller and the carpenter Jack Clark — knew that winning was expected. They could sense it from their coach when he said things like, 'You've got to be on your A game — like a boxer.' Or by the fact that their school's principal was going to wake up at 4 a.m. and fly 1,000 miles to see them compete. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Time Business News
14-05-2025
- Business
- Time Business News
Understanding Starbucks Partner Hours: A Kid-Friendly Guide
Starbucks is a popular coffee shop where lots of people go to enjoy tasty drinks like coffee and tea. But Starbucks is also known for being a kind place to work. The people who work at Starbucks are called Partners because everyone is part of a team. One important thing Starbucks does is plan work times for its Partners. These work times are called Partner Hours. Partner Hours help the store stay organized and also make sure workers have time for their school, family, or other activities. If you're thinking about working at Starbucks one day, already work there, or are just curious, this guide will help you understand what Partner Hours are and why they matter. At Starbucks, the word 'Partner' means someone who works as part of the team. Partner Hours are the number of hours a Partner works in a week or on a certain day. These hours can change depending on a few things, like: How many customers come to the store. What time of year it is (like holidays). How many hours the Partner can work. The rules of that store. Starbucks tries to make Partner Hours flexible. That means some people work full-time, while others work part-time. It depends on what the Partner needs and what the store needs. There are a few different kinds of work times at Starbucks. Let's look at each one: These Partners usually work around 40 hours a week . . It's a good choice for people who want steady work and special things like health care and vacation days. Part-time Partners work less than 40 hours , often between 10 to 30 hours a week. , often between a week. This is great for students or people who have other things to do. These hours happen during busy times like holidays . . Starbucks may hire extra Partners just for a short time, and their hours depend on how busy the store gets. Some Partners don't have set hours but can choose to work when they are free . . This is helpful for people who have busy schedules or need more freedom. Starbucks uses a tool called TeamWorks to make the work schedule. Here's how it works: Partner Preferences Partners can tell their manager what days and times they like to work. Managers try to make a schedule that fits. Store Needs If the store is really busy, it might need more Partners to help out, especially during the holidays. Sharing Shifts The schedule is shared between all Partners. Sometimes, people who have worked longer may get their favorite shifts first. Swapping Shifts If a Partner can't work one day, they can switch shifts with another Partner. Shift Alerts Once the schedule is ready, Partners get a message through the TeamWorks app or website to see when they're working. Working at Starbucks comes with some really nice perks! Here are some of them: Flexible Schedules Partners can change their hours to match their school or other things in their life. Health Insurance If a Partner works at least 20 hours a week, they can get help with doctor visits, dental care, and mental health. Paid Time Off (PTO) Partners earn days off with pay. They can use them to go on vacation or rest. Saving for the Future Starbucks has a 401(k) plan to help Partners save money for when they grow older. Training and Learning Starbucks teaches Partners how to do their job and gives chances to grow into better roles over time. Even though Starbucks tries to be helpful, sometimes there can be a few problems: Not Always Knowing Hours Some Partners might not know how many hours they'll work each week, which can make planning hard. Longer Hours During Holidays Stores can be super busy during holidays, and Partners may have to work extra hours. Changing Part-Time Hours Part-time Partners might not always get the same number of hours every week. Balancing Life and Work Even with flexible hours, it can sometimes be tough to manage school, family, and work. Starbucks Partner Hours show that the company really cares about its team. By giving flexible schedules, health benefits, and ways to grow, Starbucks tries to make the workplace friendly and helpful. Whether someone wants a full-time job or just a few hours a week, understanding Partner Hours helps them know what to expect. There can be some challenges, but Starbucks keeps working to make things better for everyone. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
