Many local students who participate in the Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) program, left this past school year with scholarship awards to help them move on to their next chapter of their lives—post secondary education. Miche Grant, Vice President at the Center of Workforce Innovations (CWI) and the Northwest Indiana Workforce Board, oversees the local JAG initiative and explained that 36 JAG students from nine area schools received awards totaling $215,434. “They earned their high school diploma despite the many challenges they faced; and their hard work, perseverance, and desire to succeed was recognized and awarded,” said Grant.
JAG students are considered at-risk students who need assistance in completing high school and transitioning to employment or post-secondary education. Students are taught up to 88 competencies while in the program such as team leadership, critical thinking, and effective communications skills that will increase their marketability to employers. While in school and through the program, JAG students receive adult mentoring and includes one year of follow-up counseling after they graduate, which is intended to help keep them on track for post-secondary education or training.
The local JAG program is funded by grants through the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. The following Northwest Indiana schools are part of the JAG program: AK Smith Area Career Center-Michigan City, Calumet New Tech High School-Gary, East Chicago
Central High School, Gary Lew Wallace STEM Academy, Gary Roosevelt College & Career Academy, Gary West Side Leadership Academy, Hammond High School, and Knox High School.
For further information about the local JAG program, contact Miche Grant at 219-462-2940, ext. 30 or email mgrant@innovativeworkforce.com.