Michigan Business Beat | Nick Chaffin & Amanda Johnson, CAMW!, Career Development Conference and JMG

Originally uploaded May 21, reloaded May 26. Chris Holman welcomed Nick Chaffin, Program Compliance Officer; Amanda Johnson, Workforce Development Program Liaison, Capital Area Michigan Works! Lansing, MI, but serving Ingham, Eaton & Clinton Counties. What is Jobs for Michigan's Graduates, and how does it prepare youth for careers? Tell us about the recent Career Development Conference? How did students from Greater Lansing perform? How can employers get involved with JMG or interact with program participants? » Visit MBN website: www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/ » Watch MBN’s YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MichiganbusinessnetworkMBN » Like MBN: www.facebook.com/mibiznetwork » Follow MBN: twitter.com/MIBizNetwork/ » MBN Instagram: www.instagram.com/mibiznetwork/ Lansing-Area Youth Shine at Statewide Conference Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates honors LSD, Waverly students LANSING, Mich. — Students from the Capital Area Michigan Works! (CAMW!) Jobs for Michigan's Graduates (JMG) program were honored at Youth Solutions' statewide Career Development Conference (CDC) on April 30, held at Saginaw Valley State University. The event brings young participants from the JMG program together to demonstrate the career and workforce development skills they have learned throughout the year. JMG is the flagship program of Youth Solutions, a nonprofit organization that aims to ensure every youth in Michigan has access to career-connected learning and graduates with an actionable plan for postsecondary success. Among the attendees were about a dozen JMG students representing Lansing School District and Peckham Inc., which operate the JMG programming for CAMW!. These dedicated young individuals participated in a variety of career-based individual and team competitions, showcasing essential skills such as interviewing, problem-solving and teamwork. Collectively, this group of young people earned multiple awards to their local programs, including Leonardo Amador-Betancourt’s well-deserved recognition as Youth of the Year. “JMG taught me how to be professional. It helped me to build confidence and be successful,” Leonardo said. “My story shows that when students are given support and opportunity, they can rise above challenges. I’m honored to receive this award and to represent my community, my family and my country.” Local youth recognized with statewide and regional awards: Statewide Award — JMG Youth of the Year Awarded to two active JMG participants who demonstrate extraordinary commitment to both the program and their personal goals. Leonardo Amador-Betancourt, Lansing School District Statewide Award — Notable Alumni of the Year Awarded to a JMG alumni who has demonstrated outstanding leadership, personal and professional development, and has made notable contributions to JMG. August Doerr, Lansing School District Regional Award — JMG Exemplary Youth of the Year Recognizes one outstanding youth from each Prosperity Region. Salomon Shabani, Waverly High School Program-Level Awards — JMG Excellence in Youth Leadership Celebrating students who go above and beyond in leadership and commitment. Lex Braman, Clinton County Youth Services Sierra Johnson, Waverly High School The event was made possible with support from Saginaw Valley State University, the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity and the Michigan Health & Hospital Association. ### ABOUT CAMW! Capital Area Michigan Works!, a proud partner of the American Job Center network, connects with businesses to develop recruiting and retention strategies and strengthens the local workforce by enhancing education and career opportunities for job seekers. For more information, call (517) 492-5500 or go to www.camw.org.