Jobs for Maine Graduates program showcases student career interviews, launches micro‑credential pilot at Mountain Valley
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Summary
JMG staff and students presented the program’s year‑round career‑exploration activities, announced a micro‑credential pilot for freshmen and described student interviews with local and remote professionals.
The Jobs for Maine Graduates (JMG) program at Mountain Valley High School presented student career‑interest interviews and a new micro‑credential pilot to the RSU 10 school board. Program staff said the initiative aims to give students industry‑relevant experiences and digital credentials that can be used in post‑secondary planning and job searches.
JMG job specialist Larry Thornton introduced three students who summarized their interview projects. Senior Brady Hilton spoke about an interview with Jeff St. Pierre of Moody’s Auto Collision and described plans to enroll at Central Maine Community College in automotive technology. Junior Wyatt Durham described a Zoom interview with WGME chief meteorologist Charlie Locusty and said the conversation broadened his view of broadcast meteorology. Meadow, a junior, summarized an interview with ER physician Dr. Jacob Marceau at Redington Fairview Hospital.
Thornton described a partnership with other staff and community professionals to support extended learning opportunities and meaningful work experiences. He said the program had previously offered a “career exploration” stipend: students who completed a 40‑hour meaningful work experience earned a $500 tax‑free payment from JMG; the district will continue that offering this year.
Katie Wood, JMG regional manager, described a micro‑credential program that will pilot four competency‑based digital badges at Mountain Valley. “Students will be doing the work that they're doing in JMG. You've just organized it in a different way ... and at the end of their high school career or middle school career, they're gonna walk away with either a skill patch at the middle school level or some of these 4 micro credentials,” Wood said. The district plans to issue digital badges via Canvas so students’ evidence of learning can attach to resumes and professional profiles.
Wood and Thornton said 14 freshmen were selected for the personal‑growth micro‑credential pilot and that the program hopes to expand to additional cohorts next year. Thornton also announced a JMG mock‑interview day scheduled for Feb. 13, when community members will conduct practice interviews for students.
Ending: Board members thanked JMG staff and students; administrators said the program’s micro‑credential and extended learning elements would be folded into planning for next year’s career and technical education offerings.