Duke Reddoch graduated from Morse High School in 2017.

He says, “I remember the first time I was in juvenile court … my criminal record filled four folders to the brim. The sheriff escorting me said, ‘Geez kid, you’ve been busy.’ I was only 12.”

Reddoch has come a long way since then. He has a job, is going to college, and he’s an alumnus of the JMG program, which he says helped him turn his life around. Reddoch shared his story last month, when he joined hundreds of high school seniors, and select juniors, from across the state at JMG’s signature student event.

JMG’s Career Development Conference is a career skills competition, as well as a celebration of all of the career preparation skills the students have learned in the JMG classroom throughout the year. With nearly 700 students, including many from Morse, Mt. Ararat, Freeport, Lisbon and Wiscasset high schools, this was JMG’s largest student event in its 25-year history.

“The Career Development Conference is a fantastic opportunity for students to put their skills to the test while building aspirations for their future,” said Maria Morris, the JMG specialist at Morse High School in Bath. “The event is a stimulus for professional growth as they network with professionals from the public and private sector on a college campus. CDC is a highlight of a JMG student’s tenure and one that they speak about for years afterward.”

With more than 100 Maine employers and team building, and more. These competitions highlight important career skills that are in demand in today’s workforce, such as leadership, problem solving, critical thinking, and time management.

Several students also won college scholarships presented by the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, the Procter & Gamble Scholarship Fund, and the Andrew L. Hutchins Scholarship Fund. And with dozens of businesses and post-secondary schools taking part in the event’s College & Career Expo, CDC offered the perfect venue for students to explore careers and for Maine employers to connect with tomorrow’s workforce.

“JMG gets such strong support from our associates because of its mission, and importantly, because it effectively delivers on its mission to thousands of Maine students every year,” said Bill Williamson, Maine president of Bank of America.

During opening ceremonies, JMG presented its Above & Beyond Award to Bank of America and General Dynamics/Bath Iron Works for their outstanding support of JMG students.

Williamson added, “We all know that workforce development is a primary factor in growing our state’s economy. Bank of America believes JMG is one of the most important programs in Maine leading to our eventual success in overcoming our workforce development challenges. JMG has shown the way in building partnerships with business, government, schools and local communities to help students reach their full potential.”

What is JMG?

• JOBS FOR MAINE’S GRADUATES is a statewide, private nonprofit that partners with public schools and private businesses to offer results-driven solutions to ensure all Maine students graduate, attain post-secondary credentials and pursue meaningful careers. JMG provides more than 7,000 students a year with the skills and experience they will need to reach their potential. JMG graduates become engaged members of their communities, productive adults in the workforce, and contributors to Maine’s economy.