MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Today, more than 450 of Alabama’s top students are attending the 2018 Jobs for Alabama’s Graduates (JAG) State Career Development Conference at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex.
These students will attend career development and professional leadership workshops, and participate in our state’s exciting annual Alabama JAG competitions.
This year’s event keynote speaker is Bryant Collier, an award-winning professional who is focused and dedicated to mentoring young people – inspiring students to achieve their personal and professional goals. As a student, Collier led one of the largest student organizations in the country. His dynamic speeches and professional experience inspires career success in young adults.
Alabama’s JAG program is available in 21 school systems statewide and has experienced more than a 90 percent graduation rate and an 80 percent employment rate among students participating in its programs.
“Making a genuine investment in Alabama’s students is the most important responsibility we have,” said state JAG Program Manager, Mandy Nichols. “Our teachers really impact the lives of students – who are often those in danger of failing, dropping out, or becoming unemployed after leaving school. Some of the exciting competitive events students will be participating in during this year’s championship are the Alabama JAG Essay Contest, Employment Interview Competition, Public Speaking, JAG Bowl, and the prestigious Chairman’s Recognition Award.”
Alabama’s JAG program is affiliated with Jobs for America’s Graduates, the nation’s largest model for at-risk and disadvantaged young people who receive school-to-career program services. This organization manages programs nationally and supplies its model to over 28 states.
Alabama’s JAG students learn to conduct effective job searches, set long-term academic goals, manage time more efficiently, and practice good human relations skills with employers and co-workers. In addition to obtaining all of its national goals last year, more than 65 percent of Alabama’s JAG seniors went on to enroll in further education courses after graduation.
Some of the innovative components of Alabama’s JAG program model are:
Classroom instruction in over 40 different employability and life skills
Student mentoring, guidance, support, and tutorial assistance
Student leadership development and postsecondary education placement services
2-month follow-up services for all students after graduation
To learn more about Alabama’s JAG program or any of the other opportunities offered by Alabama’s career and technical education (CTE) programs, contact JAG State Program Manager, Mandy Nichols, at (334) 353-1545 or visit www.alabamajag.org.