New program teaches job skills to at-risk students

Pahrump Valley High School set up a new pilot program at the school to help students with job skills. The program is known as JAG, which stands for Jobs for American Graduates.

The program is a class, where the students meet with their teacher, Candice Mitchell, on a daily basis. During the class they are taught job skills.

"I work with students to teach them communication skills, interview skills, teamwork and leadership skills," Mitchell said.

The program has been in Nevada for the past two years and this is the first year in Pahrump. There are several other programs currently in Clark County and Lincoln County.

According to the JAG program, this is a state-based national non-profit organization dedicated to preventing dropouts among young people who are most at-risk. In the past 30 years JAG has helped three-quarters of a million young people stay in school through graduation, pursue post-secondary education and secure quality entry-level jobs leading to career advancement opportunities.

The program just had an initiation and installation ceremony at the high school on Oct. 29 for new officers for the Southern Nevada Career Association. All the officers were from the JAG class. The event was catered by Romero's as George Romero generously provided food for the attending students, family, and staff. The SNCA meets about every two to three weeks during their lunchtime to develop community improvement projects and fundraisers.

The new officers for the Southern Nevada Career Association are the following: president, Eugene Finkelstein; vice president of civic development, Bradley Engel; vice president of leadership development, Rosemary Diego; vice president of career development, Dave Lawson; vice president of social development, Sala Buesig; treasurer, Jeffrey Thomas; secretary, Caeley Shoults.

Contact Vern Hee at vhee@pvtimes.com. On Twitter: vernheepvt