TOPEKA (KSNT) — Governor Laura Kelly, along with other education leaders in Kansas, are celebrating the work of one non-profit organization helping students find careers.
Jobs for America’s Graduates Kansas (JAG-K) held a 10-year anniversary celebration at Seaman High School in Topeka on Nov. 12. This year marks the 10th year that the program has been offered at the school.
“This program is awesome,” said Shelby Ross with JAG-K. “It works with credentials, it works with jobs and internships, all that kind of stuff. It’s all for the kids.”
JAG-K partners with schools to offer classes, aimed at teaching students about workforce opportunities, leadership qualities and professionalism. It’s meant to uplift students who face challenges in finding career paths.
“As a principle one of the most rewarding parts is watching students discover and find out what they’re capable of doing,” said Brad Jones, principal of Seaman High School. “That’s what JAG is all about.”
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The organization was established in Kansas back in 2013. Since then, it has grown quickly. Currently, JAG-K is offered in 58 school districts across the state, with more than 6,700 students currently enrolled.
“I’ve seen firsthand the commitment behind this organization, and the difference it makes in young people’s lives,” Kelly said. “Thank you for believing in Kansas students and investing in their potential. Kansas is better for it.”
But the work continues for JAG-K. As Kansas continues to deal with workforce shortages in professions such as nursing, education, and more, the need for more young workers is only growing.
Our Kansas Capitol Bureau spoke with leaders from JAG-K, who said they want to expand even more.
“I want it to grow even more and get more programs so that we can reach a lot more kids,” Ross said. “That’s always the end goal, to make it better and make it bigger.”
Since 2018, the state of Kansas has invested more than $65 million to help expand the JAG-K program.
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