Youth Workforce Outreach Partnership
Creating a Strong Workforce for the Future
The Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce, representative member businesses, the Southwest Region Workforce Investment Board and the Joplin Schools created a youth outreach initiative program to help youth acquire the skills that will make them good employees. The program targets at-risk individuals unable to access adequate skill resources and who are in need of vocational direction to adapt to today’s ever-changing job market. The students selected for this program participate in job readiness components such as job applications; resume development, job interview practice, customer service skills and job retention/survival skills.
Designed to help at-risk high school students enter the workforce.
Special emphasis is placed on the development of soft skills/life skills, an issue identified in critical status by employers of local youth. Businesses involved are unanimous in their desire to see the youth exposed to basic skills and continue emphasis on the importance of job performance. The other key outcome desired is a lowering of the drop-out rate while stressing the importance of a high school degree and the possibility of higher education.
Business, Industry and School with one goal!
The program is a series of sessions consisting of facilities tours and seminars, each regarding an aspect of necessary workforce skills. Companies that have been involved with this initiative include: Able Manufacturing & Assembly, LLC, Southwest Missouri Bank, JCPenney Inc, Rock-Tenn, Modine Manufacturing, General Mills Bakeries & Foodservices, LaBarge, Inc, Hometown Bank N.A. and St. John’s Regional Medical Center. Upon successful completion of the program, participants receive a certificate of achievement.
JACC continues to actively recruit businesses to support these individuals in their attempts to become significantly qualified to join today’s workforce. If you would like more information about this program, please contact Cary Beasley at 624.4150.
The presenting sponsor for the 2010-2011 Youth Outreach Workforce Partnership is:
General Mills Bakeries & Foodservices
Gold Sponsors:
Able Manufacturing & Assembly, LLC
Benefit Management, Inc
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