The Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD) successfully reached its Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) target growth goal by increasing the number of statewide middle and high school programs from 125 to 250 prior to 2025, as directed by Governor Eric J. Holcomb. JAG Indiana now boasts the largest network of JAG programs in the United States.
Gov. Holcomb set the expansion goal in September of 2023 to remove barriers to graduation some young Hoosiers face. JAG is a resiliency-building workforce program helping both middle and high school students learn in-demand employability skills and receive career exploration and coaching experiences. Administered by DWD, JAG Indiana has served 40,000 Hoosier youths to date.
“I’m incredibly proud of the JAG team for reaching this lofty goal and ensuring students across the state of Indiana can explore their potential and find their career path of choice,” Governor Holcomb said. “JAG develops leaders who go on to make excellent participants in the workforce which in turn only betters Indiana, community by community. These kids will forever have the support of the JAG system and one another. Congratulations to all involved.”
The expansion will impact an estimated 10,000 Hoosier students per year. For the high school graduation class of 2023, JAG Indiana had a 97% graduation rate—higher than the state and national averages. In addition, 84% had full-time employment secured when they graduated. The students who decided to pursue higher education collectively earned over $20 million in scholarship funding.
“The undertaking of expanding JAG by 125 programs was not small but it was a goal we all immensely supported,” said DWD Commissioner Richard Paulk. “I know Governor Holcomb and I believe it is our responsibility as DWD to support Hoosiers, both young and old, in their pursuit of personal agency and economic self-sufficiency. In this instance, we are equipping JAG students with the requisite skills to secure a better future for themselves and their families.”
The level of JAG growth is a major milestone for workforce development in Indiana. In fact, the estimated 10,000 students to be impacted will eventually become 10,000 jobseekers prepared and ready to work.
“JAG is important to workforce development, and we celebrate this accomplishment with them,” said Chief Workforce Officer Katie Rounds. “At a basic level, students receive additional support in school to help them succeed but what we see in return of that support is nothing short of outstanding. Students who may not have been on the path to graduation do so and then go on to either further their education or enter the workforce. Of those who begin their careers, we receive great feedback on their preparedness to begin working.”
“The push toward 250 programs was no small feat, but through the partnership with our regional workforce boards, we were able to create a network of JAG champions across the state,” said Director of JAG Indiana Brianna Morse. “We have to thank the schools for wanting more for their underserved students. This is a commitment by them to give their students more opportunities and resources. In turn, they see a higher graduation rate and amazing outcomes for kids who may not have graduated at all without the skills JAG programming equipped them with.”
JAG is a state-based national non-profit organization established more than 40 years ago. The resiliency-building workforce program is geared toward helping students who face significant barriers to graduation learn in-demand employability skills while in school. Participants receive adult mentoring and career exploration opportunities before completing high school along with one year of follow-up counseling after graduation. For more information on Indiana’s JAG program, visit https://www.in.gov/dwd/jag/.
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