About JVG

History

Jobs for Virginia Graduates (JVG) was started in Virginia in 1996 under the direction of Barry Glenn. The program is an affiliate of Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG). JAG originated in Delaware in 1979 and is currently comprised of 33 state organizations and nearly 1,000 program affiliates.

Overview

Jobs for Virginia Graduates (JVG) is incorporated as a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization with the purpose of serving marginalized students in Virginia and helping them acquire the skills to find opportunities while ushering them toward high school graduation and transitioning from school to work. Currently, JVG is present in 60 schools across 43 Virginia school divisions

Building on the Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) national model, and led by a public/private sector Board of Directors with the Department of Education, JVG is one of the state’s initiatives for reducing the dropout rate and improving school-to-work transition. JVG functions through Virginia’s public school system, and in concert with state employment programs.

JVG Mission & Vision

The mission of Jobs for Virginia Graduates is to empower, uplift, and support Virginia’s youth to develop the skills for graduation and success in the workforce of tomorrow.

JVG’s vision is to build capacity for opportunities that leverage the skills and abilities of students and identify Virginia’s future-ready young leaders.

Program Features

The method used to operate this program includes a unique combination of in-school and out-of-school services provided by a job specialist.

Key Elements:

  • Employability skills curriculum featuring core competencies-based instruction – including units on career planning and decision making, job seeking, job retention, basic academics, leadership and self-development, and personal skills.

  • Virginia Career Association – a motivational student organization that fosters the development of personal responsibility, leadership, decision making, and assertiveness skills and provides recognition for positive achievement.

  • Post-graduation follow-up – graduates and their employers are provided twelve months of follow-up assistance to facilitate students’ successful transition into the labor market and/or post-secondary education.

  • An active partnership between government, labor, and business organizations, educational institutions, and the commun