Every Young Person is Prepared
for Future Success
Empowering Our Nation’s Young People With the Skills and Support to Succeed in Education, Employment and Life
Discover the life-changing impact of JAG NJ.
The New Jersey Chamber of Commerce Foundation serves as the state affiliate for the Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) program, a state-based national non-profit organization dedicated to supporting young people of great promise (ages 12-24) since 1980.
In more than four decades of operation, JAG has delivered consistent, compelling results – helping more than 1.7 million young people across the country stay in school through graduation, pursue postsecondary education, and secure quality entry-level jobs leading to career advancement opportunities.
The JAG Model consists of a comprehensive set of services designed to keep young people in school through graduation and improve their success rates in education and career pathways.
Since 2012, young adults participating in Jobs for America’s Graduates New Jersey have graduated at a rate of 93% to 100%—while their school peers have graduated at a rate of 36% to 93%.
Graduation rates alone don’t tell the entire story, though. JAG NJ participants typically find full-time employment at nearly four times the rate of their peers and they report changes in attitude towards education, increased attendance and optimism about their futures.
JAG New Jersey Participants
Graduation RateSchool Peers
Graduation Rate
JAG New Jersey Students
School Peers
Employment Rate
The percentage of graduates who are employed (full-time and part-time) in civilian or military jobs.
Full-Time Employment Rate
Of the graduates who are employed, the percentage that are employed full-time (30 hours x week) in civilian or military jobs.
Further Education Rate
The percentage of graduates who are enrolled in 2-year and 4-year colleges/universities, trade schools or other formal post-secondary training/certification programs.
School peer comparison data is from:
https://rc.doe.state.nj.us/school/list
https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/microdata/access/2020.html
Partnering Programs
Schools and community-based organizations currently participating in the Jobs for America’s Graduates New Jersey initiative:
Camden
- Camden High School
- Eastside High School
Little Egg Harbor
- Pinelands Regional High School
New Brunswick
- New Brunswick Adult Learning Center C.A.R.E.S. Program
Newark
- Barringer High School
- Central High School
- Leaders 4 Life (out-of-school program)
- Malcolm X. Shabazz High School
- Weequahic High School
- West Side High School
Passaic
- Passaic High School
Plainfield
- Plainfield High School (2 programs)
- Pinnacle Academy High School
Rahway
- Rahway High School
Vineland
- Vineland High School
Willingboro
- Willingboro High School
Woodbury
- Woodbury High School
School Implementation
In partnering schools, the JAG NJ model is implemented during the academic year as an elective, credit-bearing class.
School personnel identify students with at least six indicators who will benefit from the competency-based employability skills curriculum.
The program is modified for out-of-school programs.
For more information please contact Sandra Strothers at Sandra.Strothers@njchamber.com.
Employer Engagement
Employer engagement is a critical component of the Jobs for America’s Graduates New Jersey initiative.
Opportunities for mentoring, classroom presentations/trainings, employee recruitment, internships, job shadowing and more are available on the volunteer registration page.
Volunteer2024 JAG NJ Career Development Conference First Place Winners in the “JAG NJ Always Forward, Never Backward Video Competition“
Malcolm X Shabazz High School participants Calvin N,, Tyrah L., Jayleel B., Za’Asia E., and Oniyah Z. showcase why the Jobs for America’s Graduates New Jersey program keeps students moving ‘Always Forward, Never Backward.’