Perry Central work-ethic program to become model for Southwest Indiana region

The program, which was introduced to Perry Central juniors and seniors in January, focuses on providing students with enhanced work-ethic skills, including good attendance; no unexcused absences; no tardiness; no discipline issues; community service; strong organizational skills; punctuality; respectfulness and working as a team.

“At Perry Central we believe in being as creative as possible to enable students to meet their personal goals,” said Jody French, assistant principal at Perry Central High School and the program’s creator. “We have a strong desire to help our community ‘grow its own’ and to be part of the solution to Perry County’s workforce needs.”

The Work Ethic Certification Program’s criteria for students includes 97 percent attendance rate; punctual completion of classroom assignments; strong personal-time management and flexibility; a demonstration of the respect for rights of others; the ability to work cooperatively with others; and at least 12 hours of community service. Students who choose to participate in the program are required to have parental consent and the support of at least three teachers who agree to rate the student’s organization, punctuality, respectfulness and teamwork.

Based upon their performance, students earn up to 47 points toward the certification. A gold-level certificate is awarded to students who achieve 41 to 47 points.  A silver-level certificate is awarded to students who earn 36 to 40 points.

Perry Central’s model includes an interview component near the end of the second semester of the school year.

“The interview session is intended to help round-out the student’s experience with the program as it provides both experience with interviewing skills along with the ability to demonstrate the student’s knowledge gained in areas such as teamwork and communication skills,” explained French.

With the adoption of this certification, the Grow Southwest Indiana Workforce Board has agreed to issue a signed certificate to students who meet the criteria of the program.

“This program is a great step toward providing youth with the balance of skills needed to allow them to begin successful, rewarding careers with the world class businesses throughout our region,” said Jim Heck, Executive Director of Grow Southwest Indiana Workforce. “It is an exciting and timely step in helping to address the skill shortages that plague most of our region, state and nation.”

The Work Ethic Certification Program will be directed at Juniors beginning in the fall of 2015.  Perry Central intends to further enhance the program.

“We have a strong internship program in place so we are going to be able to provide real-world workforce experience with these soft skills,” commented French.  “We want our students to be college and career ready.”

“This program is a great compliment to the initiatives of the I-69 Brainpower Task Force,” stated Heck.

The I-69 Brainpower Task Force was formed in 2014 as an offshoot of the I-69 Consortium.  The focus of the brainpower group is to help generate 21st Century brainpower with appropriate skills to produce workers that support globally competitive businesses.

“Soft skills are a huge component to workforce preparedness,” said Michael Thissen, Innovation Corridor manager in USI’s Center for Applied Research and Economic Development.  “Perry Central’s innovative approach at developing this program coupled with the adoption of this program by Grow Southwest Indiana Workforce is a great step in making Southwest Indiana a hub for skilled workers.  It is essential to the goals of our task force as well as the overall strength of the southwest Indiana economy.”

The Brainpower Task Force has committed to supporting the adoption of the Work Ethic Certification by Grow Southwest Indiana Workforce by assisting with the distribution of information about the program throughout the region and aiding school corporations and businesses. The group will implement the distribution during the next several months.

“We are looking forward to future collaboration with additional school districts as we ramp up this program,” stated Thissen.