No Result
View All Results
Reserve & National Guard
SUBSCRIBE FREE
No Result
View All Results
Reserve & National Guard
SUBSCRIBE FREE
Reserve & National Guard

Graduates of Youth ChalleNGe program choose career pathways

Elizabeth Aslakson
by Elizabeth Aslakson
February 2, 2021

“Things worth having are earned, not given,” Michigan State Director Michael Gillum said about a relatively new component of the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program (NGYCP). 

Gillum explained how he is fortunate to lead the military–modeled program where at-risk teens focus on personal growth, leadership, and followership, while also now gaining the tools needed to assist them in their next phase of life.  

Job Challenge (JC) is an optional five-month residential program for graduates to earn job skills, credentials, certifications, or apprenticeships as they begin post-graduation planning. 

“The inception of JC began as a collaboration by the Department of Defense and the Department of Labor to create a trade skill, residential program for graduates of NGYCP,” Gillum said. “Associates — the title given to students enrolled in JC — strive to continue individual growth begun at NGYCP by strengthening their knowledge in a chosen pathway … They begin to understand and harness their potential in preparation for adulthood so they can become productive members of society.”  

One of the first states implementing JC, along with South Carolina and Georgia, Michigan Youth Challenge Academy began its first class in 2016. Now, Michigan conducts two classes per year, in January and August.  

“Start dates coincide with the beginning of Kellogg Community College semesters and their Regional Manufacturing Training Center — our educational partner for this program,” Gillum explained.  

In addition, each class has 60 slots for graduates, with 50 available for the most recent graduates and remainder available for competitive post-graduates, he says. Other than this, the only criteria are graduates must be at least 17 years old and no older than 20 at the start of classes.  

Gillum also detailed how the residential program is self paced, allowing associates to complete certifications in as little as 15 weeks. After this, if associates complete their certifications or pathway, and have already earned their high school diploma or GED, they become eligible to decentralize and return home to search for jobs or begin working, he adds.

Specific job skills available during this 5th phase of NGYCP include resume writing, interview skills, training on diversity in the workplace and substance abuse, as well as financial literacy.  

In addition, certifications they can work toward are: Gas Metal Arc Welding, Gas Tungsten Arc Welding, FANUC Robotics Programming, Forklift safety, OSHA-10 (Occupational Safety Health Administration training), National Career Readiness Certification, Manufacturing Skills Standard Council (Manufacturing certification), CPR, Certified Nursing Assistant, and Food Handlers Safety.  

And in terms of internships, Gillum says, “We help associates achieve apprenticeships throughout the state in conjunction with Kellogg Community College, and our placement coordinator works with local unions.” 

Gillum went on to describe living conditions for students at Fort Custer Training Center in Augusta, Michigan. 

“Associates have individual billeting and share a bathroom with a same gender suitemate, [with] each billet having a bed, TV, private sink/vanity and mini refrigerator. … The fort’s dining facility also provides healthy meal choices.”  

In addition, in this phase, students can earn more freedoms, such as the use of cell phones and electronics. 

On the other hand, “privileges may be revoked due to poor behavior, performance, or effort on school assignments, certifications, or trade pathways,” Gillum explains.  

Normally, associates can leave the fort to participate in supplementary educational and social activities, such as community projects, weekend passes to go home, doctor appointments, as well as job interviews.  

Despite the dampening impact of the pandemic, Gillum reiterated the importance of “not giving up on youth who are struggling.”  

“These youth tend to lack boundaries and structure in their home environments leading to poor choices, relationships, and outcomes. [But], we have seen time and again … when these same youth participate in programs providing essential tools, positive staff, and safe environments, they are able to adapt, focus, and make tremendous personal strides and grow professionally.”  

I have worked with at-risk youth my entire adult life and not seen a better program. NGYCP can truly change the lives of the youth we serve,” Gillum said. 

Visit https://ngchallenge.org/ for more on the program in your area. 

Read comments
Tags: Fort Custer Training CenterMichael GillumNational Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program
Elizabeth Aslakson

Elizabeth Aslakson

Elizabeth Aslakson is a freelance writer whose work revolves around military issues, history, and her own Army wife adventures. Also, a Puppy Raiser for Canine Companions and volunteer at Mount Vernon, she lives outside D.C. with her husband, a Cyber Soldier assigned to Space Force, and they have three young adult sons. Elizabeth holds a BS in Psychology through the University of Maryland and MFA in English and Creative Nonfiction Writing through Southern New Hampshire University.

Related Posts

Army Reserve education benefits collapse halts fall semester enrollments

by Military.com
1 month ago
0
U.S. Army Reserve soldier fires a M240B automatic machine gun during a live fire range qualification on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, July 18, 2023. Photo by Spc. Britton Spencer

The Army Reserve ran out of money to cover tuition for its soldiers & is scrambling to reallocate money ahead of the...

Read more

Cyber Joint Task Force agreement allows guardsmen to protect school networks

by Randy Brown
2 months ago
0
Cyber Joint Task Force

Arizona guardsmen help protect schools against cyber threats through an agreement with the Cyber Joint Task Force & Department of...

Read more

Harvard Law airman lauds ‘best-kept secret’ for accessible education

by Nikki Davidson
4 months ago
0
Modern States

Air National Guard 1st Lt. Logan Lathrop says the Modern States program is the "best kept secret" to achieving educational...

Read more

JROTC cadet chosen for Million Girls Moonshot

by Crystal Kupper
5 months ago
0
STEM

A youth ambassador program that encourages future STEM leaders announced its next Flight Crew of 43 girls, including a Navy...

Read more

Meet the Missouri National Guardsmen teaching in the same school district 

by Brunella Costagliola
6 months ago
0
Missouri National Guard

Spc. Michael LaBrot has only been in the Missouri National Guard for a year and a half, but the educator uses...

Read more

6 unique Post-9/11 G.I. Bill education opportunities

by Kari Williams
6 months ago
0
Post-9/11 G.I. Bill

Service members can consid­er education beyond traditional post-sec­ondary institutions through the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill.

Read more

Ads

Let's get social

The RNG Drill

News delivered directly to your inbox

Let's connect!

ABOUT US

  • OUR STORY
  • OUR TEAM
  • OUR WRITERS

MAGAZINE

  • GET PRINT
  • GET DIGITAL
  • GET THE NEWSLETTER

ADVERTISE

  • GET OUR MEDIA KIT
  • PUBLISHER’S STATEMENT

SUBMISSIONS

  • SUBMIT YOUR STORY

Never miss out on the latest stories.

© 2021 Reserve & National Guard by AmeriForce. Privacy Policy | Terms | Site by Swiss Commerce

Thank you for your interest in The Reserve & National Guard Magazine!

Thank you for your interest in The Reserve & National Guard Magazine!

No Result
View All Results
  • NEWS
  • YOUR CAREER
    • UNIT TRAINING
    • DEPLOYMENT
    • PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
    • RECRUITING & RETENTION
    • ENTREPRENEUR
    • TRANSITION
  • EDUCATION
  • MILITARY LIFE
    • MILITARY SPOUSES
    • MILITARY KIDS
    • PARENTING
  • OFF DUTY
    • ENTERTAINMENT
    • TRAVEL
  • HEALTH
    • FITNESS
    • MEDICINE
    • MENTAL HEALTH
  • SPORTS
  • OPINION
  • HISTORY
  • MONEY
    • PERSONAL FINANCE
    • BENEFITS
  • GET THE MAGAZINE
    • PRINT MAGAZINES
    • DIGITAL MAGAZINES
    • GET THE NEWSLETTER
  • ABOUT US
    • MEET OUR TEAM
    • OUR AUTHORS
    • ADVERTISE WITH US
    • SUBMIT YOUR STORY
    • PITCH US
    • CONTACT

© 2022 Reserve & National Guard by AmeriForce. Site by SCBW