JA FUTURE READY
Preparing the Next Generation for the World of Work
JA Future Ready connects young people with the skills, experiences, and professional networks they need to succeed in the workforce. Through career exploration, hands-on learning, and direct engagement with employers, students gain the confidence and practical skills needed to navigate their future careers. Across Southeast Louisiana and South Mississippi, JA Future Ready helps students move from classroom learning to real-world opportunity. JA Future Ready represents our commitment to building a future-ready workforce ecosystem across our region.
Key Programs within JA Future Ready
Future Connect is a collaborative initiative with YouthForce NOLA that introduces students to high-growth regional industries and career pathways. Through hands-on career exploration, employer engagement, and career pathway education, students gain exposure to real career opportunities and the skills needed to pursue them.
The program connects education with workforce demand by helping students understand how their interests and academic choices align with careers in fields such as healthcare, technology, skilled trades, hospitality, and business. By bringing employers directly into the learning experience, Future Connect helps students see themselves in future careers while strengthening the region’s workforce pipeline.
Orleans Parish Educators can contact Micaela@jagno.org
Industry partners can contact Courtney@jagno.org
The YouthForce + Junior Achievement Career Expo introduces more than 2,000 Orleans Parish ninth-grade students each year to the region’s leading industries and employers. Students rotate through interactive industry exhibits where professionals demonstrate real workplace skills, tools, and technologies.
The Expo serves as an early launch point for students’ career exploration journeys. By connecting young people with employers early in high school, the Expo helps students better understand the skills, education pathways, and opportunities available in the regional workforce while inspiring them to begin planning for their futures.
Orleans Parish Educators can contact Micaela@jagno.org
Industry partners can contact Courtney@jagno.org
St. John Parish College and Career Fair
The St. John Parish College and Career Fair connects students with colleges, training providers, and employers to help them explore postsecondary education options and career pathways. Through direct interaction with professionals and institutions, students gain a clearer understanding of the education, training, and skills needed to pursue their goals after graduation.
For more information, contact Karla@jagno.org
JA Career Speaker Series
The JA Career Speaker Series brings professionals from a wide range of industries into classrooms and learning environments to share their career journeys, workplace insights, and advice with students. These sessions help students better understand different career paths and the skills required to succeed in today’s workforce.
For more information for elementary and middle schools in Orleans and K-12 in Jefferson, St. Bernard, Plaquemines parishes, contact eric@jagno.org .
Contact vallen@jagno.org for Northshore parishes.
Contact karla@jagno.org for River Parishes.
JA Job Shadow
JA Job Shadow experiences give students the opportunity to spend time in real workplaces observing professionals in action. By seeing how businesses operate and learning directly from employees, students gain valuable exposure to workplace expectations, career pathways, and day-to-day job responsibilities.
For more information, contact eric@jagno.org for schools in Jefferson, St. Bernard, Plaquemines parishes. Contact vallen@jagno.org for Northshore parishes. Contact karla@jagno.org for River Parishes.
Employers and industry partners play a vital role in helping students understand the realities of the workplace and the opportunities available in our regional economy. Through JA Future Ready, companies and professionals can directly engage with students while helping build the region’s future workforce.
Ways employers can participate include:
Serving as career speakers in classrooms and career panels
Hosting job shadow experiences and workplace visits
Participating in career fairs and the YouthForce NOLA + JA Career Expo
Leading resume workshops, networking sessions, and mock interviews
Mentoring students and sharing career pathway insights
Demonstrating industry tools, technology, and workplace skills
Explore Careers
Students discover industries, occupations, and career pathways through direct interaction with professionals and exposure to the world of work.
Examples include:
• Career speaker series
• Career fairs and industry expos
• Career pathway exploration activities
• Workplace tours and industry site visits
These experiences help students understand the wide range of opportunities available in the regional economy.
Prepare for the Workforce
Students build the professional and personal skills needed to succeed in college and careers.
Examples include:
• Resume workshops
• Mock interviews and interview preparation
• Professional communication training
• Networking and workplace etiquette workshops
Through these experiences, students gain confidence and practical tools that prepare them for internships, first jobs, and future careers.
Connect to Opportunity
Students build real relationships with employers and gain meaningful exposure to professional environments.
Examples include:
• Job shadow experiences
• Employer networking events
• Career mentorship opportunities
• Industry engagement through JA partners
These connections help students see themselves in future careers and begin building the networks that support long-term success.
Why It Matters
Across Southeast Louisiana and South Mississippi, employers are seeking skilled, adaptable workers who are prepared for the demands of a rapidly changing economy. At the same time, many students lack access to meaningful career exploration, professional networks, and real-world workplace experiences.
JA Future Ready helps bridge this gap by connecting students with employers, introducing them to in-demand careers, and equipping them with the professional skills needed to succeed. By strengthening connections between education and industry, JA is helping build a stronger regional workforce pipeline and expanding economic mobility for young people across our communities.
Regional
Impact
JA Future Ready programs are delivered throughout Southeast Louisiana and South Mississippi, reaching thousands of students each year through partnerships with schools, employers, and workforce organizations.
Through initiatives like Future Connect with YouthForce NOLA, the YouthForce + JA Career Expo, and a wide range of career readiness experiences delivered directly in schools and communities, JA is helping build a stronger, more prepared workforce for the future.
Get Involved
Schools: Bring JA Future Ready programs to your students and connect them with meaningful career exploration experiences.
Employers: Inspire the next generation by volunteering as a career speaker, hosting job shadows, participating in career fairs, or engaging with students through JA Future Ready events.
Community Partners: Collaborate with JA to expand career opportunities and strengthen the workforce ecosystem across our region.
Together, we can ensure that every young person in our region is future ready.