By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
The Jobs for America's Graduates-Kansas (JAG-K) program will be extending its program next school year to include a micro-credentialing program.
JAG-K is a nonprofit that partners with schools to provide an elective course to support students at risk of not graduating.
Bryan Zollinger, JAG-K career specialist, said the students will be able to take pass-or-fail, self-paced courses and receive credentials on programs, such as PowerPoint, through the new credentialing program.
The micro-credentials could add up to larger certifications.
Zolllinger said the extension of the program will give students the opportunity to gain marketable skills they can use when they enter the workforce. He announced the new program offering during the Hays USD 489 school board meeting on Monday.
The micro-credentialing program was piloted in Wichita public schools this year. Zollinger said the Hays JAG-K team will be training on the new program this summer.
Hays High School has offered the JAG-K program for about a decade. However, recently the program began offering a second section of 60 students at Hays High, and a section of the course at Hays Middle School.
Between the two schools, about 180 students are enrolled in the JAG-K classes. Ashley Kazenbach is the second JAG-K career specialist at Hays High.
The program offers academic support, career exploration and leadership development to help students successfully transition to post-secondary education, military service or the workforce.
Students regularly hear presentations from local business professionals about future career opportunities, compete in job skills competitions and perform public service.
Some of the service projects the students have participated in recently have included washing windows, handing our flyers and raking leaves, Sally Giddens, JAG-K career specialist for Hays Middle School, said.
Zollinger encouraged employers who wanted to share about jobs in their industries, to reach out to the program about speaking to JAG-K classes.
Giddens also encouraged groups who have service projects they would like the JAG-K students to assist with to also contact the program.