Montgomery, Ala. – More than 2,500 Alabama high school students, from schools all across the state, are preparing themselves for future success. These students, along with their parents and teachers are traveling to Montgomery next week for two days of rigorous leadership study at the 2009 Joint Leadership Development Conference (JLDC), September 28-29.
Students attending this conference at the Renaissance Montgomery Hotel and Convention Center will have an opportunity to participate in more than 20 different workshops and interactive activities. JLDC, which began ten years ago, is focused on preparing students for leadership opportunities.
“It is a sheer delight to see Alabama’s students so engaged and adamant about fulfilling their career potential,” said Alabama CTSO Coordinator, Craig Collins. “During this event, Alabama’s seven Career and Technical Education Student Organizations (CTSOs) and Jobs for Alabama’s Graduates (JAG) program, collaborate for one united event, which focuses on teaching students about future career opportunities, financial literacy, postsecondary learning, and leadership development.”
Students participating in JLDC this year will learn innovative leadership skills from two of the country’s top experts – Patrick Grady and Ben Glenn. Regarded as two of America’s top speakers in the areas of student motivation and leadership, these dynamic speakers have shared their empowering presentations with thousands of students nationwide.
The student organizations participating in JLDC this year are: DECA (An Association of Business/Marketing Students); FBLA-PBL (Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda); FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America); The FFA Organization; HOSA (Health Occupations Student Association); JAG; SkillsUSA; and TSA (Technology Student Association).
Conference Highlights
Monday, September 28
· Pre-Registration (Renaissance Lobby) – 7:00 p.m.
· Greetings and Pre-Conference Opening Session (Exhibition Hall C) – 8:00 p.m.
Tuesday, September 29
· Registration – 8:00 a.m.
· Motivational Program and Opening General Session (Exhibition Hall C) – 9:15 a.m.
· Student and Advisor Workshops (various locations) – 10:15 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.
· Closing General Session (Exhibition Hall C) – 3:15 p.m.
Also, participants attending this year’s conference will have a chance to take a glimpse into the future. Event sponsor, Alabama Power will be displaying its new research car, a Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV), which is a new concept SUV being developed by Ford Motor Company.
DECA is a national non-profit organization devoted to the needs of high school and college students with an interest in business, marketing, and entrepreneurship. Since its establishment in 1946, DECA has started chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Canada, Mexico, and Germany.
FBLA-PBL is a national, non-profit organization devoted to preparing students for careers in business. Alabama has one of the largest FBLA-PBL memberships in the United States, with over 15,000 members.
FCCLA is devoted to preparing family and consumer sciences students for leadership and career success. Alabama has more than 11,000 members who enjoy the many benefits this organization offers. Since its founding in 1945, FCCLA has involved more than 10 million students.
FFA, a national non-profit organization, devotes its efforts to preparing students for careers in agriscience occupations. It serves more than 495,000 high school, college, and professional members. Currently, Alabama has approximately 14,000 FFA members.
HOSA, since its inception in 1976, has grown to serve more than 65,000 members. Alabama’s HOSA members are students who are committed to improving themselves, their schools, and communities through academic achievement and professional health-related skills.
JAG is a non-profit school-to-career transition program dedicated to helping students improve their employability and academic skills. Alabama’s JAG program is affiliated with Jobs for America’s Graduates, which is the nation’s largest model for assisting students who receive school-to-career services. For the past three consecutive years, Alabama’s JAG program has experienced over a 90 percent graduation rate and an 80 percent employment rate among students participating in its programs.
SkillsUSA is devoted to preparing students for careers in technical, skilled, and service occupations. It serves more than 260,000 high school, college, and professional members and has the active support of over 1,000 national corporations, trade associations, and community-based organizations. Alabama has approximately 9,000 SkillsUSA members.
TSA, a non-profit organization founded in 1967, is devoted to the needs of middle and high school students with an interest in technology, innovation, design, and engineering. TSA serves more than 200,000 students in 47 states.
Currently, one out of every two high school students in Alabama participates in a career and technical education (CTE) program. These students explore career options in more than 300 courses, earn advanced diplomas, and receive college credit.
To arrange an advance interview with JLDC participants or presenters, or to learn more about any of the other educational opportunities offered by Alabama’s career tech programs, contact Craig Collins, Alabama CTSO Coordinator, at (334) 353-8387.