ATTLEBORO - Stanley Chou is training at Attleboro High School to become an auto mechanic and Brittani Boyer hopes to become a nurse someday.

But during the summer, the pair learned a few new skills while working in a summer school program that combined part-time jobs with tutoring to help them with their MCAS tests.

Chou and Boyer were among about 160 students from Attleboro, North Attleboro and Norton who participated in the federal- and state-funded program financed through the Bristol County Workforce Development Board.

Ninety-five participants were from Attleboro, according to Christine LaChance, director of Attleboro High School's school to career program.

LaChance said the young people, many from low-income families, worked 20 hours a week for a variety of public agencies and received 10 hours of tutoring in English and math. Where possible, youngsters were placed in jobs that complemented their interests or career plans.

Boyer, a student in the high school's medical assisting class, worked for the Arc of Northern Bristol County, an agency that advocates for the handicapped. Boyer performed computer record-keeping work and helped update the agency's files.

Chou didn't work on cars or trucks, but did get an opportunity to help the community by working to prepare food in Sturdy Memorial Hospital's kitchens.

"It was really fun," he said.

This year's youth jobs program was created through a $350,000 grant shared by the school to career program and Attleboro Enterprises.

The summer program, helped by the influx of federal stimulus funds, represented a major expansion over last year's edition, when about 30 young people received jobs.

Besides providing summer employment and help with MCAS tests, LaChance said students also gained valuable workplace experience in "soft skills," such as how to conduct themselves at work and communicate with co-workers and supervisors.

RICK FOSTER can be reached at 508-236-0360 or at rfoster@thesunchronicle.com.