(FRANKFORT, Ky.) -- The Jobs for Kentucky's Graduates (JKG) Career Development Conference and State Competition will be held Tuesday and Wednesday, April 13 and 14, at the Holiday Inn North in Lexington.
The conference and competition are held each year in the spring. Over 700 high school students from across the state will compete in various individual and team events, including:
- Career Display
- Chapter Manual of the Year
- Decision-Making
- Employment Interview
- Employment Application
- Public Speaking
The goal of the competition is to improve interpersonal, scholastic and employment skills so that students will remain in school, graduate and secure gainful employment or move on to further education/training. Some of the winners from the state competition go on to compete at the National Student Leadership Conference (NSLC) in December each year in Washington, D.C. JKG swept all the awards at the NSLC in December 2003, winning more JAG awards and having more student participants in the various events than any other state.
In Kentucky, 2,400 at-risk students in 48 schools participate in JKG. JKG is an affiliate of JAG (Jobs for America's Graduates), which operates in 27 states and the United Kingdom. JKG is a dropout-prevention school-based program for disadvantaged and at-risk youth, with the ultimate goal of attaining a high school diploma and/or postsecondary education or training leading to a career.
JKG began in 1993-94 and was funded by the JTPA (Job Training Partnership Act) and local boards of education. Beginning in 1999-2000, JKG was funded by state legislative dollars, WIA (Workforce Investment Act) funds, Governor's Discretionary Money, and local school district funds.
Using a competency-based curriculum, Career Specialists (all certified teachers) provide daily classroom career instruction and coaching, assistance in job placement, and follow-up services for 12 months after graduation/GED. The key performance outcomes for JKG programs are:
- Completion of requirements for a high school diploma or GED certificate
- Placement in a quality job leading to a career advancement opportunity
- Pursuit of a post-secondary education as a means of enhancing transition into the workforce
An agenda for the conference and competition follows.
JOBS FOR KENTUCKY'S GRADUATES
Career Development Conference
JKG Career Association
State Competition
"JKG: The Adventure of a Lifetime"
Holiday Inn North
Lexington, Ky.
April 13-14, 2004
Tuesday, April 13th
10 a.m. -- 2 p.m.
Exhibit Booths Open
2:00 p.m.
Opening Session (Derby/Preakness/Belmont Rooms)
3:30 p.m.
Competitive Events Begin
4 – 6:30 p.m.
Carpet Maze Practice (Man-O-War/Secretariat/Thoroughbred Rooms)
Wednesday, April 14th
8 a.m.
Carpet Maze Competition Begins (Man-O-War/Secretariat/Thoroughbred)
8:30 a.m.
Employment Interview ("Gift Shop")
8:45 a.m.
Decision Making Resumes (Rm. 501)
9 a.m.
Telephone Techniques begins (Rooms 106 & 108)
Job Application (Henry Clay Room)
9:15 a.m.
Public Speaking Competition begins (Derby/Preakness/Belmont Room)
10 a.m.
Marketplace Exhibits Event begins (Pre-Function Area)
2 p.m.
Awards Ceremony begins (Derby/Preakness/Belmont Rooms)
3:30 p.m.
Closing Remarks/Team Award
-30-