Youth Outreach Workforce Partnership

           Presented by

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. Along with the continued participation of the Jobs for Missouri's Graduates students at Joplin High School, this year the JMG students from East Newton High School are involved in this program.

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. A pre-test to gauge their current knowledge of job skills is administered. Companies that have been involved with this initiative include: Able Manufacturing & Assembly, LLC, JCPenney Inc, Rock-Tenn, Southwest Missouri Bank, General Mills Bakeries & Foodservices, LaBarge, Inc, Hometown Bank N.A., MSSU and St. John's Regional Medical Center. At the final session, a post-test is administered to measure their increased knowledge in these areas. Upon successful completion of the program, participants receive a job readiness certificate.

JACC continues to be actively recruit our member businesses to support these individuals in their attempts to become significantly qualified to join today's workforce. One incentive that the already participating businesses have agreed to is a guaranteed interview for each job applicant who has completed the program. We would encourage all of our member businesses to consider joining them in this Employer Interview Pledge. If you would like more information about this program, please contact Cary Beasley at 624.4150.

Gold Sponsors:

Able Manufacturing & Assembly, LLC