SHRM Foundation Grants $155,000 to Jobs for America’s Grads

Washington, DC – As the Society for Human Resource Management leads the employer conversation about closing the skills gap in hiring, its charitable affiliate, the SHRM Foundation, announces an investment in the youngest members of the U.S. workforce.

The SHRM Foundation announced today that it has pledged $155,000 over two years to support the work of Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) in preparing youth for opportunities in the workplace and has committed to building local networking support for JAG students using the workforce readiness expertise of SHRM chapters and state councils.

“It’s all about skills,” said SHRM President and Chief Executive Officer Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., SHRM-SCP. “To enter the job market, graduates must have the capability of doing a job well. At the same time, employers must have a skilled workforce to compete and grow.

“This SHRM Foundation commitment to JAG brings together education and employment — the winning combination that will help employers successfully address the skills gap,” said Taylor, who serves on JAG’s National Board of Directors. 

Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb, chair of the JAG board, said: “We are delighted with the commitment the SHRM Foundation has made to the JAG national organization. Beyond the financial support, it provides the opportunity for our young people to connect with HR professionals, so they can continue to develop the essential employability skills they’ve learned in their JAG classrooms. SHRM’s investment not only in treasure but in talent through volunteerism underscores the value of this partnership to support our future generation.” 

In a multi-state effort, 14 SHRM local chapters and state councils in seven locations — Alabama, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri and New Hampshire — will tap their workforce readiness efforts in a pilot program working with JAG students. This partnership with HR professionals on the local level will provide mentorships and other resources that match the needs of students to help prepare them for jobs after high school.

SHRM has been a partner to JAG since 2008, as part of its commitment to education and workforce development. This new support also will include scholarships for JAG alumni.

As the grant was being announced today, 13 students joined SHRM members as they visited Capitol Hill to encourage members of Congress to support workforce development and training. In their meetings with legislators, the group discussed the need to expand tuition assistance benefits and industry-specific apprenticeship programs. 

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