b'Talent DevelopmentJobs for Michigans Graduates (JMG)The success of our regions K-12 students and young adults341remains a top priority of Northwest Michigan Works! and ourStudents JMG team. With the significant skill gap and a talent pipelineEnrolledshortage, Michigans future workforce needs well-prepared and work-ready young adults. Each moment is critical; every action matters. As the host for Northwest Lower Michigans Jobs for57 students participated in leadership development events at Michigans Graduates program, in 2020 we were able to equipthe regional, state, or national level. 341 young people with the skills to overcome barriers and winNorthwest Michigan Works! is proud to have partnered with the in education, employment, and in life. following schools to achieve a record JMG enrollment of 341 As with most workforce development programming, we havestudents in 2020:transitionedourservicestobeprovidedonavirtualbasis.Traverse Bay Area ISD Cadillac High SchoolEven though many youth became disconnected from in-person school and programming, they did not become disconnectedChar-Em ISD Cadillac InnovationHigh Schoolfrom their JMG specialist. In fact, contact between our JMG teamWexford-Missaukee ISDand the youth they serve increased as students reached outCASMAN Academyon a more frequent basis for advice, support, and mentoring. The specialists became focused on being a support role in theHighlights of the year:youths lives and were often able to still provide the needed, sociallydistancedandprotocolsafe,in-personconnection29 out-of-school young adults are enrolled in JMG receivingstudents sought.Specialists work closely with their cooperatinghigh school completion and career preparation services.teacher to provide enrichment activities and virtual classroom instruction. These partnerships ensured students received the13 JMG students participated in paid work experience andsame pre-pandemic level of support, mentorship and guidanceinternship opportunities with 9 area employers.throughout 2020.Networks Northwest hosted the first ever Up North VirtualLeadership Day in collaboration with UP Michigan Works andNortheast Michigan Works Consortium. This event drew 63youth who participated in career awareness, budgeting, andleadership activities.For the fifth consecutive year, our program received the National Jobs for Americas Graduates 5 of 5 Award for meeting or exceeding national standards in five categories Youth listening to a speaker during Up North Virtual Leadership Day. measuring student success.8 NETWORKSNORTHWEST.ORG / TALENT DEVELOPMENT'