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ROME — More than 450 middle school and high school students from across the state recently met with Maine employers at Jobs for Maine Graduates’ Leadership Education Conference.
The overnight event gives students the opportunity to practice and demonstrate career skills that are in high demand in Maine’s job market.
“Now, more than ever, Maine needs skilled employees who are prepared to successfully transition into the workforce,” said Kristina Cannon, executive director of Main Street Skowhegan. “It’s great that the JMG program and LEC are teaching our students these skills, including problem-solving, critical-thinking, teamwork, communication, and leadership.”
Cannon was one of more than 20 volunteers who acted as judges and facilitators for several career prep competitions. In one challenge, students were broken up into teams and assigned to build a cardboard boat. On each team, students took on the roles of product manager, engineer and marketer. Once the boat was designed and built, they pitched their water craft to a panel of volunteer judges representing employers including Bank of America, Small Business Administration, Day’s Jewelers and Finance Authority of Maine. After the pitch, the boats were put to the real test in North Pond.
“Being able to do projects like this is fun. We’re not just sitting in class,” said Gavin Tsoukalas, a sophomore from Winslow High School. “These projects force us to use teamwork, and to organize and plan together. We’re learning when to step forward and give our input, and when to step back and give someone else a turn.”
The leadership conference also introduced the students to social entrepreneurship, a growing sector of the economy that focuses on solving social, cultural and environmental problems.
“The Social Entrepreneurship Challenge asked students to assess their schools or communities to identify an unmet need,” said Tracie Travers, JMG’s workforce development manager. “They are asked to develop a solution, then create a business to meet that need.
Along with developing workforce skills, this challenge also teaches students to work together and to use their voices and intellect to create real change in Maine’s communities.”
JMG is a statewide, private nonprofit that partners with public schools and private businesses to offer results-driven solutions to ensure all Maine students graduate, attain post-secondary credentials and pursue meaningful careers. JMG provides more than 9,000 students a year with the skills and experience they will need to reach their potential. JMG graduates become engaged members of their communities, productive adults in the workforce, and contributors to Maine’s economy. For more information, visit www.jmg.org.
