A New Jersey Chamber of Commerce Foundation program that is helping high school students develop college and workplace skills was honored at an event in Orlando. The program, ‘Jobs for New Jersey’s Graduates,’ received honors for the effective work it is doing in placing high school students, once considered at-risk for dropping out of school, in full-time jobs, the military or post-secondary education.

The programs in Camden High School, Vineland High School, and Carteret High School – as well as two programs at Weequahic High School in Newark – met or exceeded annual standards for high school multi-year programs. Further, the program at the New Brunswick Alternative School received one of two national awards for alternative school programs.

“The Jobs for New Jersey’s Graduates program has achieved incredible outcomes that exceed our highest performance standards,” said Ken Smith, CEO of Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG), of which Jobs for New Jersey Graduate is an affiliate.

Three New Jersey teachers received JAG Specialist of the Year. They were Elizabeth Clark of Weequahic High School; Rebecca Baker of Carteret High School; and Joseph Kriete of New Brunswick Alternative School.

The awards were presented at the Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) National Training Seminar in Orlando July 7 to July 12.

Corporate Support

Jobs for New Jersey’s Graduates, a state affiliate of the Jobs for America’s Graduates initiative, focuses on students that are at-risk of dropping out of high school and is funded solely through donations by private and corporate partners.

Different from most other states in the national network, New Jersey is the only state that receives no governmental financial support, though it continues to pursue state government funding to expand and help improve workforce development, career readiness, and local economies throughout the state.

The program will conduct workshops throughout 2019-20 school year for schools and out-of-school programs that wish to implement the program in 2020-21.

The New Jersey program was offered in nine schools in Newark, Camden, Carteret, New Brunswick and Vineland in the past school year. More than 320 students participated.

Participants selected for the program experience barriers to success and are susceptible to dropping out of school. Jobs for New Jersey’s Graduates provides intensive classroom support, training, and off-site experiences that enhance the students’ career-ready skills as well as personal and leadership development.

How the Program Works

In the ‘Jobs for New Jersey’s Graduates’ program, students chosen by teachers and guidance counselors study leadership and employment skills, and receive academic support, access to inspiring guest speakers, tours of local businesses, and mentoring as they consider pursuing college or a career. Students take the program as an elective course and have the opportunity to attend statewide and national conferences where they befriend and compete with program participants from all over the nation. Graduates of the program continue to receive support for 12 months after high school graduation to help them as they transition into college or a career.

Information about Jobs for America’s Graduates and New Jersey’s Graduates can be found by clicking here.

About the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce Foundation

The New Jersey Chamber of Commerce Foundation supports current and future members of the workforce in becoming globally competitive, successful members of society, and fuels New Jersey’s economy by sustaining a qualified workforce.

For more information, visit www.njchamberfoundation.org

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About the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce

The New Jersey Chamber of Commerce is a business advocacy organization that represents its members on a wide range of business and education issues. Based in Trenton, the organization also links the state’s local and regional chambers on issues of importance through its grassroots legislative network. For more information, visit njchamber.com