Employer Engagement is key to JAGTN students expanding their career paths and creating a direct pipeline from school to workforce.
Three Levels of Employer Engagment
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Exploration
One of the easiest ways that employers can engage with local JAGTN programs is through our first step of Exploration . JAGTN students have the chance to explore various jobs and industries in several different ways through local business partnerships such as:
guest speakers
participant-designed event
business tour
career assessment
pathway sharing
Our students continually share that these opportunities are the most valuable when it comes to helping define their chosen post-secondary pathway.
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Exposure
Many of our JAGTN students want to dive deeper into a potential career path once they have initially learned about it. This is where our employer partnerships are most crucial. By offering opportunities for students to get a better understanding of that particular field, they help define that student's vision.
This can include:
interactive business tours
job shadowing
industry-designed event
virtual webinar
online or in-person training
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Experience
Over the years, some of our most successful employer partnerships have happened in Step Three: Experience. When businesses take the time to invest in students to give them experiences within the industry, it mutually benefits both parties. Many times, employers have been able to extend employment offers to these students upon graduating from high school, recognizing they can guide, equip, and hand-select new recruits directly from our program. Some of the ways you can engage at this level are:
Practicum internships
Apprenticeships
Industry-designed conferences or training
Volunteer opportunities
Informal mentorships
Our goal is for 100 percent of graduates to have at least one of these goal attained:
- employment in chosen career field
- finalized plans for post-secondary/continued education
- certification or other credentials for chosen field
By offering students real-life exposure and experiences in career industries, employer partners play an important role in shaping not only the futures of these students but also that of the future workforce in the state.
The three steps of Exploration, Exposure, and Experience all work in tandem to reach this goal: a defined career pathway upon graduation.
“After graduating from the JAGTN program, I plan to use the knowledge and skills I have gained to help others and myself. I want to use my newfound confidence and leadership skills to help people in my community reach their goals and to help my future classmates. I also plan to use the communication and collaboration skills I have learned to help create a more inclusive and diverse workplace. Additionally, I plan to use my understanding of the importance of self-care and mental health to help support those around me.
My time in the JAGTN program has been invaluable, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to have grown and developed in such a meaningful way.”
— Amya Williams, Westwood High School Class of 2023
