About JMG

Mission
Program Features
Students Served
Goals
Management
Career Association
Schools Served
2007-2008 Calendar
Student Conferences

The ultimate objective of Jobs for Montana’s Graduates (JMG) is for students to secure a quality job and/or postsecondary education, that leads to a meaningful career. JMG believes the best way to achieve this objective is to keep students in school through their graduation and to improve their rate of success by acquiring employability competencies before leaving high school. JMG is affiliated with Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) a national school-to-work program.

JMG’s Mission is Two-fold:

• To provide classroom instruction and work-based learning opportunities to students in grades nine through twelve and high school dropouts ages 16-18 which will enhance their career awareness, self-esteem and work readiness.
  
• To identify young people who can benefit the most though participating in JMG and prepare them for meaningful career-oriented jobs, matching the students with community job opportunities and providing long-term follow-up to facilitate their successful transition from school-to-work.

Program Features:

The methods used to operate this program include a unique combination of in-school and out-of-school services provided by a Career/Job Specialist. Key components are:

• Employability skills curriculum: competency-based instruction including units on career planning and decision-making, job seeking, job retention, basic academics, leadership and self-development and personal skills. Click here to see the core competencies (employability skills).
• Montana Career Association: a motivational student organization, which fosters the development of self-esteem, leadership, decision-making and assertiveness skills and provides recognition for positive achievement.
• Job development and placement: meaningful job opportunities with advancement potential are matched with job-ready, motivated graduates involved in the program.
• Post graduation follow-up: graduates and their employers are provided twelve months of follow-up assistance to facilitate students’ successful transitions into the labor market.
• Active partnership between government, labor, business, education and the community.

JMG Goals are Designed To:

• Improve the student’s employability skills.
• Help the student develop and define career goals and plans for the years immediately following graduation.
• Help the student to successfully complete high school.
• Assist the student to develop confidence, poise and a positive attitude.
• Assist the student to acquire skills to successfully communicate with supervisors and coworkers.
• Stimulate the student’s initiative, teamwork and leadership skills.
• Promote within the student respect for the dignity of work.
• Assist the student to display a sense of social responsibility and civic involvement.
• Assist the student to develop strong coping and decision-making skills.
• Stimulate the student’s school spirit and interest in school activities.
• Help the student develop a feeling of pride in accomplishment.
• Provide opportunities for the student to develop personal goals and evaluate their progress toward attaining those goals.

JMG Management:

• JMG is jointly sponsored by the Governor’s Office and the Office of Public Instruction and is administered by the Department of Labor and Industry.
• A Board of Directors provides program over-site and participates in on-going development. The Board represents leaders from the private and public sectors. The Governor is chair of the board and the Superintendent of Public Instruction is vice-chair.
• Jobs for Montana’s Graduates Foundation Board secures additional funding to support JMG’s mission and goals.
• A variety of funds support JMG, including local, state, federal and private sector resources.
• JMG and JAG provide technical assistance and training for local and state program staff. JAG also conducts an on-site accreditation of all state affiliates.
• Local business leaders serve as active partners in local program implementation.
• Local job specialists take full responsibility for teaching JMG curriculum, assisting students in completing outcome documents through a portfolio system and establishing the Montana Career Association at each participating school.

Montana Career Association:

A student managed organization to promote civic and social awareness, leadership and teamwork skills, and to promote decision-making and self-confidence.

• Career
• Civic
• Leadership
• Social

Student Conferences

Fall Leadership Conference
October 29, 2008
Red Colonial - Helena, Montana
Two Competitive Events
Guest Speaker
Leadership Activities

Career Development Conference
May 6-7, 2008
Billings Hotel & Convention Center - Billings, Montana
Tuesday & Wednesday
Seventeen Competitive Events
Apprenticeship Rodeo
Scholarships
Marketing Vendors
Workshops
Pizza Party
Bowling, Golf, Swimming
Dance

(Note: Please see “Conferences/Workshops” section.)

Students Served:

JMG serves approximately 800 students in 32 High Schools, 5 Middle Schools, 5 Alternative Schools and one “Out-of-School” program, Montana Youth ChalleNGe in Dillon.

Montana Schools Served - Program Year 2007-2008