NASHUA - Gov. John Lynch announced today that Jobs for New Hampshire's Graduates will receive $424,144 in grants from the Workforce Opportunity Council and the NH Department of Education to help prepare Manchester area youth to compete in the workforce and encourage them to stay in school.

"The demands of a changing economy require a highly skilled and educated workforce. Most new jobs require a college education. The first step in making sure New Hampshire has a strong economic future, and that our children have the bright future that they deserve, is encouraging more students to graduate from high school and giving them the preparation they need to compete in the workforce," Gov. Lynch said.

"Supporting innovative, community-based programs is key to reaching that goal," Gov. Lynch said.

The two-year grants from the NH Department of Education will go to support Jobs for New Hampshire's Graduates programs at Manchester Memorial High School and Manchester West High School. Jobs for New Hampshire's Graduates will receive a $228,222 grant for the Manchester Memorial High School program and a $195,922 grant for the program at Manchester West High School.

The Jobs for New Hampshire's Graduates youth program is nationally recognized as a school-to-career transition program that prepares young people aged 14-21 to meet the challenges of adolescence and adulthood through a coordinated, progressive series of activities and experiences which help them to become socially, morally, emotionally, physically, and cognitively competent. Participants explore career interests and learn job-seeking skills while improving their basic academic knowledge and gaining confidence in their abilities. They also gain valuable skills through work-based learning activities such as job shadowing and actual work experience.

Jobs for New Hampshire's Graduates at Manchester Memorial High School ran a program with 35 students during the summer who will continue to participate throughout the school year. The program at Manchester West aids an additional 32 students who enrolled this past summer and will also continue through the year.

For more information on Jobs for New Hampshire's Graduates, contact: Priscilla Parisien, President, 603-647-2300.

The U.S. Department of Labor funds the Workforce Opportunity Council grants. The Workforce Opportunity Council contracts with the NH Department of Education for the Statewide contracting of WIA youth funded programming, technical assistance and oversight of these programs.