JAG-KY Program at North Hardin High School is Shaping Our Future Workforce

As members of the Elizabethtown-Hardin County Industrial Foundation, we all share a common goal: building a robust, skilled, and reliable local economy. However, we also share a common challenge: the “employment gap.” We see it every day. Talented young people graduating high school who aren’t quite ready for the professional world, and local industries hungry for dedicated employees but struggling to find the right fit.

In our recent Facilities Managers Meeting, we had the pleasure of hearing from Lisa Slaven of Hardin County Schools and Grant Mulligan, employer engagement manager for Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG-KY). They shared an update on the JAG-KY program at North Hardin High School, and the message was clear: These students are exactly who we, area manufacturers, should be looking to hire and mentor.

JAG-KY is more than just a classroom program, it is a workforce pipeline. While Hardin County Schools have reached an impressive transition readiness rate, the JAG-KY program targets a specific “pocket” of students who might otherwise fall through the cracks.

These students often face significant “lifestyle barriers,” ranging from a simple fear of public speaking to more complex challenges such as housing instability. JAG-KY steps in to ensure these obstacles don’t prevent them from contributing to our local workforce.

The results speak for themselves:

• 99% Graduation Rate (compared to the state average of 89%).
• 100% Connectivity Rate, meaning every graduate is tracked and supported.
• 230% more likely to be employed full-time compared to their peers.

The program is also committed to addressing the soft skills important to employers. We often hear from EIF members that while new hires might have the technical “know-how,” they struggle with the social and professional aspects of the job. The JAG-KY program at North Hardin is tackling this head-on.

Lisa Slaven highlighted how the program breaks down barriers created by the “cell phone and COVID era.” Students aren’t just learning from a book, they are practicing:

• Hallway Conversations: Students practice taking off their headphones, making eye contact, and initiating small talk with strangers. 
• Active Listening: Learning how to handle “hard conversations” with supervisors or peers without becoming defensive. 
• Professionalism: Practicing the “shaking hands and eye contact” that makes a difference in a job interview.

JAG-KY is important, because these aren’t just students. They are your next generation of welders, technicians, managers, and innovators. JAG-KY isn’t just preparing them for a “job,” they are preparing them for a career right here in Hardin County.

One of the most unique aspects of JAG-KY is the one-year follow-up. For a full 12 months after graduation, JAG-KY specialists stay in touch with these young adults. If they lose a job or hit a snag with transportation, JAG-KY is there to coach them back onto the right path. This provides an extra layer of security for you as an employer, knowing your new hire has a support system behind them.

You can get involved. 

Grant Mulligan issued a direct call to action to our foundation members. They aren’t looking for donations, they are looking for partners.

Here’s how to support the program and our local students:

• Be a Guest Speaker: Visit the class at North Hardin to talk about your industry and what you look for in an employee.
• Offer Mentorship: Help a student understand the “why” behind the work, and get involved in the mock interview process.
• Create a Pipeline: Get your company on the list of JAG-approved employers to gain direct access to these motivated graduates.

The students at North Hardin are doing the hard work: overcoming anxieties, sharpening their work ethic, and preparing to enter the workforce. Let’s all look for ways to support them.