With millions of young people across America dropping out or disengaging from school, Ken Smith, President and CEO of Jobs for America’s Graduates, Inc. (JAG) recently expressed his concerns about the trend in an opinion piece published by USA Today.
Smith says, “The potential of losing millions of young people from schools could consign an important part of the next generation to the margins of the economy, as they leave classrooms without a high school diploma and struggle to enter an economy requiring problem-solving abilities and technical knowledge and skills,” and adds, “We know that young people without an education have a harder time finding jobs that can sustain them. Although there is a workforce shortage, we are seeing a gap in the skills needed to fill those open positions. In order to head off the larger and potential longer term problem of persistent unemployment, there is a heightened need for intervention now so that our youth stay in school, get an education and are exposed to the skills that will be critical to their future success.”
In Michigan, the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) has declared June as Youth Employment Month and encourages students to seek summer jobs. But what do you do if you have never thought about what it takes to be successful in a job or future career? Without proper training and skills, youth might not be able to muster the courage to apply for a job or if they are unable to understand what is expected of them, those young employees may have a terrible first impression which could have longstanding negative impacts on their perceptions of what is possible for them in the future.
Benton Harbor-based Sonya Blanzy, Director of Operations at Youth Solutions, a unit of the Kinexus Group, says, “When we prepare our youth for success in school and in the workplace, we are investing in the future and that’s a dividend that will continue to pay off for many years to come.”
Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates (JMG) is the premier program offered by Youth Solutions, and are the Michigan affiliate of the national Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG), one of the largest and most successful student-centered programs that help young people achieve their fullest potential. In fact JAG participants who are 18-20, have a 230-percent higher employment rate than the national average. Students who participate in the JMG program are supported by JMG Specialists who are dedicated to increasing student success in class, on the job, at home and within their communities. At the heart of the program, each student learns to master the 37 core employability skills and competencies like leadership, communications & public speaking, time management, critical thinking & problem solving, collaboration & teamwork – all essential skills that lead to success in the workplace.
Through a focus on education and career outcomes, the youth who participate in the local programs are able to successfully prepare themselves for what’s next. Take Tamia C. as an example. Tamia (who goes by Mia) was introduced to the JMG program at her high school. Mia was always a good student but what she needed was help with personal and emotional issues, and admits, “It doesn’t matter who you are – a good student, an average student, someone who’s struggling – there is something for everyone. It’s not just helping with a math problem. This program is so much more.” 
Mia took full advantage of the program and is now, in her own words, “JMG famous.” In her sophomore year in high school, she became class president of the program. Later, Mia was asked to speak on behalf of the program in Lansing, in front of legislators, letting them know the impact that JMG has had on her personal journey. In 2019, Mia was selected as the Youth of the Year. She attended the JAG National Conference in Washington, D.C. where she wrote about her personal story and submitted her piece into a competition that she won.
Mia credits Youth Solutions and the JMG program for teaching her about what she calls “gracious professionalism.” That’s a term Mia coined to represent honor, respect, and gratitude wrapped up in a professional manner. Mia says, “As a child, I was always verbal. Acting and impressions is where I started. Youth Solutions prepared me for my future by exposing me to opportunities that used my talents.”
Mia recently graduated from college with a degree in Communications and Math. When the leaders at Youth Solutions learned of an available Communications Internship position within the Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) organization, they reached out to Mia and encouraged her to apply. Mia was recently selected as their first intern. She is enjoying her work and is excited to be using her talents in that career opportunity.
As Michigan’s economy recovers from the pandemic, now is a critical time to engage young job seekers in career preparation and exploration activities. Youth Solutions has proven programs, platforms, and established systems that can be rapidly scaled to help the next generation secure an education, find employment and succeed in life. They have the opportunity to tap into youth to solve the greater workforce shortage. Not only will young people benefit by learning valuable skills, they will get paid for working which can lead to a boost in overall self-confidence. If you or someone you know are between the ages of 11 and 24, Youth Solutions has programs available to help plan for success in your future. Contact them today.
Inspiring and connecting youth to achieve a future beyond imagination, Youth Solutions is a nonprofit organization committed to providing Michigan’s youth with the desire for an education, the experiences that prepare them for a job or career and the tools to realize their potential. Since 2008, Youth Solutions has impacted more than 18,000 youth ages 14-24, across Michigan. Learn more at http://www.ouryouthsolutions.org, follow along on LinkedIn @YouthSolutions, or “like” them on Facebook at @JobsforMichigansGraduates.
As the premier program of Youth Solutions, Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates is offered at over 100 locations across the state and helps young people succeed in their education while providing the path to a productive future.
