HAMPTON — The New Horizons Regional Education Centers’ (NHREC) Good Life Solution (GLS) Career Selection Day, representing the six Greater Peninsula school divisions, was held on May 9.
A total of 104 seniors from six Greater Peninsula school divisions made their career selection. They signed on with 26 regional employers who have pledged to hire and retain the graduating seniors through the GLS Program.
Sixteen seniors were from Williamsburg-James City County schools and 16 were York County school students.
Patterned after the NCAA’s National Signing Day for athletes committing to play sports in college, this event celebrates students entering the automotive, construction, advanced manufacturing, public safety, health sciences, and information technology/cybersecurity workforce directly after high school.
Through their specialized career and technical training at NHREC, these graduating seniors have the opportunity to gain full-time employment with Hampton Roads employers in high-demand and high-wage-earning entry-level positions, earning on average between $14 to $25 per hour plus full employer benefits.
This is why the program has been coined the “Good Life” Solution Program.
Casey M. Roberts, NHREC Executive Director, in touting the success of the program, spoke about the importance of employer buy-in, regional collaboration, and engagement.
“Our engaged employer partners have enthusiastically joined the Good Life Solution Program, driven by our collective mission to develop and create ready-to-learn, entry-level graduates who are fully prepared on day one and create lasting value for their companies. Recognizing that talent acquisition and retention are pivotal for sustained competitiveness in today’s global economy, our partners see our program as a crucial resource in meeting the needs for talent in the Hampton Roads region,” said Roberts.
Last year, 23 regional employers hired 103 students, and in the previous six years of the program’s existence, the one-year following graduation retention rate for students that complete the GLS Program is 86%. The national average retention rate for individuals entering the workforce within all fields between the 18-24 age range is a disappointing 29%.
Roberts stated, “With the support of our partners, the Good Life Solution Program stands out as the premier solution for fulfilling current and future talent needs. The tangible outcomes speak for themselves, as we’ve successfully guided over 300 graduates into lucrative entry-level trade careers — “living the Good Life” — across the Hampton Roads region.”
For all other inquiries about the Good Life Solution Program Career Selection Day, contact the New Horizons Regional Education Centers.
