JAG program helps students succeed after high school
Kendlaville -
The Noble County Economic Development Corp. has been helping the Brightpoint JAG (Jobs for America’s Graduates) program find volunteer mentors for East Noble High School students this school year.
Brightpoint JAG is a program that uses local advocates to prepare young people for employment and training/education after high school. JAG is a national program, but Noble County’s JAG is sponsored by Brightpoint in Fort Wayne. The program works specifically with East Noble High School students, the EDC said in a news release.
According to JAG specialist Karen Novinger, the program helps students obtain their diplomas or high school equivalency requirements, enter into postsecondary education or military service, obtain job-related skills and remain employed full-time after graduation.
“For me, the most rewarding part of being a specialist is the relationships I have the privilege to build with my students. I see them grow as individuals and get to be a part of some of the most important decisions they will make in their young lives,” Novinger said in the news release.
Programs like Brightpoint JAG help to improve the quality and quantity of Noble County’s workforce, according to the EDC. Manufacturing employers in Noble County often have difficulty finding workers that meet the education and experience requirements needed to work in their facilities. These types of programs helps to bridge that gap, and give workers and employers an opportunity to connect and thrive, the EDC said.
Mentors and volunteers are always in demand. Community leaders, business leaders, employers and individuals can get involved by volunteering to speak in classrooms, participate in community events and contribute financially to JAG programs.
For more information, contact Novinger at knovinger@eastnoble.net or visit mybrightpoint.org.
