TOP STORY OF THE DAY — Gov. Holcomb, DWD host 2023 JAG Indiana Career Development Conference: JAG Indiana builds talent pipeline for high school students

Governor Eric J. Holcomb, from left, Outstanding Senior award winner Nathaniel Reedy and his parents pose for a quick photo during the 2023 State Career Development Conference in Indianapolis on Friday, March 17. Reedy and several others from Northview High School competed in the event.

Courtesy Photo

INDIANAPOLIS — Governor Eric J. Holcomb and the Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD) held the 2023 State Career Development Conference Friday, March 17. An annual event for Hoosier high school students enrolled in Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) to participate in competitive events that highlight the employability skills they have learned through the program.

As the gateway between industry and talent, DWD’s JAG program builds a talent pipeline to Indiana employers by helping high school students achieve success through high school graduation.

“JAG is helping young Hoosiers define who they want to be and equipping them with the necessary skills to be successful after graduation,” Gov. Holcomb said. “Through JAG, more Indiana students are earning their high school diploma, entering the workforce, enrolling in postsecondary education and enlisting in the military.”

JAG Indiana’s 15th annual Career Development Conference was the culmination of regional competitions, which focused on disciplines critical to employment. More than 140 students from 57 Indiana high schools advanced to the state conference for an opportunity to earn monetary awards by showcasing skills learned through the program, such as finance, entrepreneurship and project management.

“JAG is all about building tomorrow’s workforce, today,” said DWD Commissioner David J. Adams. “By connecting talent — especially at an early age ­— with the knowledge, skills and abilities needed to access the market, and filling roles employers need immediately, we are moving Indiana forward together. Employers engaged with JAG students get the opportunity to see their future workforce and select their next employees, and students get introduced to real world employers, jobs and careers.”

Students competed in 14 categories, including the top Outstanding Senior award.

“JAG has really helped me figure out who I can be and who I want to be, but more so, who I will be,” said nathaniel Reedy, senior at Northview High School. “I think it’s really helped me be myself and what I want to do.”

The Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) program is a state-based, national non-profit organization dedicated to helping high school students of promise who have experienced challenging or traumatic life experiences achieve success through graduation.

This year’s conference took place at the Ivy Tech Community College Culinary and Conference Center in Indianapolis.

Previously, a competition held on the Ivy Tech Terre Haute campus on Jan. 20 saw more than 200 students from nine Indiana high schools compete, with first-place finishers moving on to the March 17 competition in Indianapolis.

Local employers and community leaders judged the event.

In addition to Reedy placing first for Outstanding Senior, the following Northview students also placed high on the winner’s podium: Aeris Rogers, first place, Career Presentation; Rilya Archer, second, Career Presentation; Dakota Rilenge, third place, Creative Solutions; Sam Lynch, third place, Public Speaking; and Camaren Nees, third place, Writing Skills.