Jobs for America's Graduates is a national program, and new to Washington State as of 2010. JAG's mission is to mentor and support students on their journey to obtaining a high school diploma. In addition, JAG helps students create opportunities for students to learn and demonstrate mastery of job skills, develop leadership skills, and engage themselves with the community through service-learning projects. JAG students leave the program with the ability to become an employable citizen ready for entry-level jobs that will lead to advancement in pay or position. In addition, students are aided in enrolling in a post-secondary education program that will help promote their career goals. JAG was created in 1980 and is currently active in 33 states with over 800 programs established in communities and schools. In the past 30 years, JAG has successfully served over 800,000 participants. JAG is currently in its second operating year in Washington state with over 2,000 students enrolled. The NEWTECH Skill Center is the only JAG program in the Spokane area. For more information on the program at the state level, visit: http://jobsforwashingtongraduates.wordpress.com/ For more information about the program on the national level, visit: www.jag.org
Jobs for America's Graduates, Spokane Chapter Goals:
1. JAG students will obtain a high school diploma at the end of the 2011-2012 school year, unless they are classified as a junior.
2. JAG students will participate and complete the JAG curriculum. This curriculum includes 20 competencies focusing on employability skills.
3. JAG students obtain job training in a skill center course (Culinary Arts, Wielding, Automotive Technology) to increase their employability.
4. JAG students obtain a full or part-time job matching their interests and skills.
5. JAG students enroll in post-secondary training after high school. Options include: Vocational Training, Community College, University, or Military Training.
We appreciate the participation of the following employers in helping our JAG students achieve success!
McDonalds West Corporation
Harbor Crest Retirement Community The Carlyle Care Center Sky High Sports Vans
Red Robin Applebee's
Mackenzie River Pizza Company Blue Button Apparel
No college credit can be earned for this course.
However, students will earn:
1.0 Elective Credit
1.5 Work-Based Learning Credit if a job is obtained during the school year
towards their high school diploma
The instructor for JAG is Suzanne Gretch.
Suzanne has been working for Spokane Public Schools for four years. To begin, she taught Social Studies and then was trained to deliver the Jobs for America's program in 2010.
For questions concerning JAG, contact Mrs. Gretch @:
(509) 496-7684
suzanneg@spokaneschools.org
Course Modules Include:
1. Identify occupational interests, aptitudes, and abilities
2. Design a personal resume
3. Conduct comprehensive job searches
4. Write a cover letter
5. Complete a job application and accompanying employability tests
6. Demonstrating job interviewing skills
7. Dress appropriately for a job interview
8. Determine employer expectations of employees
9. Demonstrate the ability to work cooperatively with others
10. Demonstrate effective decision making
11. Demonstrate positive attitudes, work ethics and behaviors
12. Demonstrate the ability to accept responsibility for one's own actions
13. Demonstrate effective conflict resolution skills.
14. Demonstrate the ability to establish realistic goals and priorities
15. Demonstrate effective money management
16. Demonstrate the ability to communicate and work with customers to satisfy expectations
17. Demonstrate basic computer skills
18. Demonstrate the ability to objectively evaluate one's job related skills
19. Explore opportunities for personal development
20. Demonstrate effective independent living.
