A strong work ethic.
As employers, we all want it, we all need it, and we probably all have a different definition of what it means. Finding qualified people to fill vital positions within a company is often a challenging task. Even if a candidate has the necessary skills for an open position, it won’t matter much if common work ethic standards like showing up to work on time, every day, and drug free are not practiced.
What can we do?
How do we encourage schools, students and our local community to make employability skills a matter of importance? A task force of industry, workforce development and education leaders in Grainger, Hamblen and Hawkins County sought to answer this very question, who developed a set of 14 vital work ethic standards they called, the Tennessee Work Ethic Diploma.
When high school seniors earn 20/40 possible points associated with any of the 14 work ethic standards, they will be given a seal of distinction on their high school diploma. This seal gives qualified applicants preference to an interview with partnering industries when a job opening is posted.
Benefits.
Signing up to be a Work Ethic Diploma industry partner is easy and communicates to schools, students and the community at large that your company encourages and promotes a work-ready community. Guaranteeing an interview to qualified applicants who hold the Work Ethic Diploma does not require additional actions from your regular HR practices. Joining the effort will only increase the number of qualified applicants who understand what it means to be employable!
Got it. How does my company partner?
STEP 1 – CONTACT US: Email Carolyn Davis, to state your interest in partnering.
STEP 2 – SIGN A LETTER OF SUPPORT: A letter of support template will be sent to you, where your company will:
- Copy/paste the letter of support onto company letterhead
- Print, sign (with appropriate President/GM/HR Director signature), and email return to Carolyn Davis.
- Your signed letter of support will be shared with participating school districts in Southeast Tennessee, and your company added to this website as an industry partner.
STEP 3 – LOGIN AND VERIFY QUALIFYING APPLICANTS: You will be sent login information for this site, allowing your company to search and verify a student’s attainment of the Work Ethic Diploma.
