TULSA, Okla. — Governor Kevin Stitt announced a new program for students Monday in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
The JAG program or Jobs for America’s Graduates is a non-profit to help create opportunities and provide support for students facing hardships in school.
“Oklahoma needs JAG now and into the future. This program will be critical to help our most vulnerable students survive and thrive by providing them with essential support guidance mentoring and encouragement. So I'm so excited to announce this launch and get jag off the ground in the state of Oklahoma,” said Gov. Stitt at a press conference.
JAG is a 40 year old non-profit that specializes in providing training, mentorship programs and opportunities to students in states across the country.
JAG serves more than 76,000 students every year and has a nearly 95% graduation rate which is higher than both the state and national average.
Students in the program are more likely to enter a career, hold a stable job and enter into a higher education program.
State leaders say the program is needed now more than ever because of the Pandemic.
“JAG provides job skills and career preparedness, that are essential in any environment, much less the unprecedented environment that we find ourselves in now. There is currently tremendous competition for jobs in this difficult economic climate, but jag makes sure its students are job ready from day one,” said Ryan Walters, OK Secretary of Education.
JAG is currently being implemented at several Oklahoma schools including Bartlesville High School and Broken Arrow High School.
JAG-OK is expected to expand into additional Oklahoma schools in the future.
For more info on JAG CLICK HERE.
