Samples of Current Employer Engagement Partners
Since 2008, AT&T and the AT&T Foundation have provided over $13 million in
funding to JAG and its local affiliates. Through AT&T incentive grants, over
6,000 youth have benefited from new JAG programs funded by AT&T, which
will impact an anticipated 20,000+ youth over the next 5 years. In addition to
the expansion of JAG programs, AT&T’s grant supports local mentoring events
between JAG students and AT&T employees through AT&T's Aspire program.
In 2019, AT&T, the National Retail Federation Foundation and JAG teamed up
to offer the NRF Foundation’s Retail Industry Fundamentals Credential to over
100 JAG students in 7 Aspire communities. The industry-recognized credential
prepares students for customer service roles in AT&T retail stores.
For years, Regions Bank has provided financial support and associate
involvement to help JAG further its mission. Regions has been deeply involved
in volunteer opportunities providing financial literacy content to JAG students
in Alabama, Mississippi, and Missouri.
Financial investments in JAG State Affiliates in Mississippi and Missouri have
supported JAG programming for the past five years. In 2019, the Foundation
committed $200,000 to JAG and five state affiliates to help connect students
with training and well-paying careers. In 2020, Regions Bank followed up with
an additional $30,000 in COVID-specific funding to help cover the costs of
computer-based training amid the ongoing pandemic.
During the 2018-19 school year JAG and Microsoft enhanced their partnership in
alignment with Microsoft’s Skills and Employability initiative. Piloted in the 2019-20
school year, JAG students in Fresno and San Diego, CA were offered industryrecognized
Microsoft Certifications in Excel, Database concepts, and fundamentals.
Over 20 students in Fresno alone signed up for this opportunity. This multiyear
partnership will support students in preparing for and securing the many
certifications needed to be eligible for data analyst positions, one of the most
in-demand positions in tech.
Separately, Jobs for Arizona’s Graduates and Microsoft are teaming up in Phoenix
to launch a summer program in partnership with several local partners to target JAG
students with an interest in data analyst and related careers. Additionally, JAG AZ
has been in discussions with local dropout prevention programs and Maricopa
Community College to make online micro-credentialing courses available to all JAG
students, understanding the new challenge of virtual learning.
In the 2020-21 school year, JAG and Honeywell will grow their partnership based on an incredibly successful pilot year. Originally launched in Arizona, North Carolina, and South Carolina, Kentucky will be added to the partnership portfolio, which aligns with Honeywell’s “Hometown Solutions” corporate social responsibility initiative focused on employee volunteerism and community investment. JAG locations were strategically chosen in proximity to Honeywell facilities so Honeywell employees may connect with JAG students. Honeywell leaders come into the JAG classroom, host students at their plants, and in less than a year, multiple students have been hired by Honeywell. Most recently, two JAG –Arizona students were hired amidst the COVID-19 pandemic to work on the frontlines producing PPE equipment.
During the 2020-21 school year, JAG and IHG will partner together to encourage conversations around diversity, equity and inclusion within JAG’s 1,450 programs across the US through the LOVE Project - Lifting Our Voices for Equity. The program will support JAG students as they explore social equity issues, identify challenges in their community, and work collectively to make positive change, honing the Civic Engagement, Social Awareness and Leadership Development goals of the JAG Career Association. Micro-grants, funded by IHG, will be awarded to select JAG students to help put their LOVE project ideas into action in their local communities. The large network of IHG’s hotels will serve to support student projects and help share the message of the positive work being by students locally, with Atlanta, Los Angeles, Nashville, New York City and Philadelphia serving as pillar communities in this work.