2nd Annual Upper Peninsula Career Development Conference

The 2nd Annual Upper Peninsula Career Development Conference (CDC) for Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) students was held Thursday at the Michigan Technical Education Center (M-TEC) at the Bay College campus. The event gives students the opportunity to showcase their skills, compete with fellow JAG students in various team building activities, and to be recognized for their hard work and accomplishments throughout the 2013-2014 school year.

Deb Doyle, Director of Operations for Michigan Works! The Job Force Board spoke to students and thanked them for their hard work on behalf of the Job Force Board. Students participated in a group activity before transitioning to two separate break-out activities. Each activity is led by JAG specialists Sarah Johnson, Eric Cooley, and Kristen Hiske. Students also had an opportunity to listen to guest speaker, Tony Retaskie, Executive Director, Upper Peninsula Construction Council; Chair, Upper Peninsula Construction Regional Skills Alliance; Member, Career Connections Group; and board member of Michigan Works! The Job Force Board as he recognized each school for their hard work throughout the year.

This event is an opportunity for students to reflect upon their hard work and to recognize the impact they and the other JAG youth have had on the community, as well as how they have personally grown through their service learning projects, classroom training, business visits, and other activities.

Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) is a state-based national non-profit organization dedicated to preventing dropouts among young people who are most at-risk. In more than three decades of operation, JAG has delivered consistent, compelling results – helping nearly three-quarters of a million young people stay in school through graduation, pursue postsecondary education, and secure quality entry-level jobs leading to career advancement opportunities.

JAG has a thirty year history of graduation support nationally, and Michigan Works! The Job Force Board is pleased to partner with area schools to provide the project-based curriculum.