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Helping to prepare high school students for jobs part of SHRM’s focus on the skills gap   WASHINGTON, Nov. 15, 2018 — As the Society for Human Resource Management leads the employer conversation about closing t ...   Read More »

Helping to prepare high school students for jobs part of SHRM’s focus on the skills gap

WASHINGTON, Nov. 15, 2018 — As the Society for Human Resource Management leads the employer conversation about closing the skills gap in hiring, its charitable affiliate, the SHRM Foundation, announces an investment in the youngest members of America’s workforce.

The SHRM Foundation announced today that it has pledged $155,000 over two years to support the work of Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) in preparing youth for opportunities in the workplace and committed to building local networking support for JAG students using the workforce readiness expertise of SHRM chapters and state councils.

“It’s all about skills,” SHRM President and Chief Executive Officer Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., SHRM-SCP, said. “To enter the job market, graduates must have the capability of doing a job well. At the same time, employers must have a skilled workforce to compete and grow.

“This SHRM Foundation commitment to JAG brings together education and employment — the winning combination that will help employers successfully address the skills gap,” said Taylor, who also serves on JAG’s National Board of Directors.

Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb, chair of the JAG board, said: “We are delighted with the commitment the SHRM Foundation has made to the JAG national organization. Beyond the financial support, it provides the opportunity for our young people to connect with HR professionals, so they can continue to develop the essential employability skills they’ve learned in their JAG classrooms. SHRM’s investment not only in treasure but in talent through volunteerism underscores the value of this partnership to support our future generation.”

In a multi-state effort, 14 SHRM local chapters and state councils in seven locations — Alabama, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri and New Hampshire — will tap their workforce readiness programs in a pilot program working with JAG students. This partnership with HR professionals on the local level will provide mentorships and other programs that match the needs of students to help prepare them for jobs after high school.

SHRM has been a partner to JAG since 2008, as part of its commitment to education and workforce development. This new support also will include scholarships to JAG alumni.

As the grant was being announced today, 13 students joined SHRM members as they visited Capitol Hill to encourage members of Congress to support workforce development and training. In their meetings with legislators, the group discussed the need to expand tuition assistance benefits and industry-specific apprenticeship programs.

Media: For more information or to request an interview, contact Kate Kennedy at Kate.Kennedy@shrm.org and 703-535-6260 or Vanessa Hill at Vanessa.Hill@shrm.org and 703-535-6072.

About the SHRM Foundation

The SHRM Foundation is a values-based charity organization whose mission is to champion workforce and workplace transformation. It provides research-based HR solutions for challenging inclusion issues facing current and potential employees, scholarships to educate and develop HR professionals and opportunities for HR professionals to make a difference in their local communities. The SHRM Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit affiliate of the Society for Human Resource Management. Visit us at shrmfoumdation.org.

About the Society for Human Resource Management

The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) is the world’s largest HR professional society, representing 300,000 members in more than 165 countries. For nearly seven decades, the Society has been the leading provider of resources serving the needs of HR professionals and advancing the practice of human resource management. SHRM has more than 575 affiliated chapters within the United States and subsidiary offices in China, India and United Arab Emirates. Visit us at shrm.org and follow us on Twitter and Instagram @SHRMPress.

About Jobs for America’s Graduates

Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG), is a non-profit youth development program committed to helping America’s youth with significant life challenges excel in high schools, prepare for success in college, and embark on a rewarding career. Since its inception in 1980, JAG has served over 1.25 million students of great promise and is currently serving over 63,000 students in 35 states. JAG students have a graduation rate of over 90 percent, and approximately 80 percent of those graduates go on to post-secondary education, military service and/or full-time employment.

See article on jag.org