Schools across Kentucky are seeking partnerships among organizations to prepare students for the workforce. According the Department for Education, “The top five skills currently valued by the nation’s largest employers are professionalism, teamwork, oral communication, ethics and social responsibility and reading comprehension.” Numerous school systems are collaborating with local organizations to achieve these goals to prepare students for success.

This school year, the Clay County Middle School Jobs of America’s Graduates (JAG) Program partnered with Clay County 4-H on a variety of workforce/leadership lessons, activities and community service projects. The Leadership Club consisted of fifty-five students and met monthly by focusing on a variety of topics including personal skills, career assessments, building resumes, job applications and interviewing tips. Concluding each topic participants were presented with discussion questions and activities to complete. For instance, students worked in groups practicing a variety of interview questions and were given scenarios of the do’s and don’ts during interviews.   

Students not only focused on workforce prep but also the importance of leadership. Students were asked to develop two community service projects to complete within the school year. One project consisted of a canned food drive for Thanksgiving and another food donation for flood victims in Knott County.  Word spread quick and the Leadership Club involved other classrooms as well, which resulted in a large donation of food items. These items were donated to local families in need.

 90%  Felt more confident with interview skills

81%  Reported participating in a community service project for the first time

92% Reported gaining skills in setting goals and developing an action plan