South Harrison Community School Corporation recently awarded 41 Governor’s Work Ethic Certificates to students in the 2023 graduating class. Twelve students from South Central Jr./Sr. High School and twenty-nine students from Corydon Central High School received the certificate.
The GWEC is designed to provide Hoosier employers with job applicants who possess a proven work ethic and to assist Indiana communities in closing the skills gap. Earning this certificate is a way for students to demonstrate that they possess the employability and character skills needed to be successful as they enter post-secondary institutions, apprenticeships, the military, or the workforce.
“The Governor’s Work Ethic Certificate is not easy to earn,” stated Manda Graff, College and Career Readiness Coordinator. “In addition to academic requirements, there is a strict attendance component too. Seniors receiving this award could miss no more than four days of school. So with this certificate, they can tangibly show employers they are reliable and will show up for work.”
The GWEC is structured to connect employers to local students who meet requirements in nine competencies, which is composed of five academic subjective measures and four work ethic measures. The five subjective measures, (persistence, respectfulness, teamwork, initiative, and efficiency) require three school employees to sign off stating that a student has demonstrated and met those requirements.
Students must also have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher (meeting all graduation requirements), an attendance rate of 98% or higher, one or fewer disciplinary referrals, and a minimum of six hours of community service.
As a state-wide program, some employers offer students guaranteed interviews, increased base pay, industry tours, tuition reimbursement, and/or other incentives to the students who earn the certificate.