AIKEN, S.C.— The South Carolina National Guard announced its partnership with Aiken Technical College and signed a grant to create a new program, called Job Challenge, that would aid South Carolina Youth Challenge graduates.
Dr. Susan Windsor, president of Aiken Tech, said, “It’s time to kick off an innovative program that only strengthens the long-standing relationship between the South Carolina National Guard and Aiken Tech.” Windsor spoke at a Sept. 16 news conference at the college. “It takes a village to raise a child, and we are here to impact the lives of our youth so they can learn, grow and flourish.”
Retired Col. Jackie Fogle, the director for South Carolina Youth Challenge Academy, said, “this will improve an already-great program. Since our inception in 1998, we have helped 3,000 youth obtain their GED or high school diploma. We provide young people with direction, guidance, structure and motivation. Now, with this partnership with Aiken Tech, we can give them a skill,” said Fogle. “If you have a skill, you’re marketable in the work force.”
Larry Snipes, director of the Job Challenge, said, “POST stands for: Profession, Occupation, Skills and Trade. This program will help Youth Challenge graduates learn skills for immediate employment, prepare them for working in a technical field and become productive members of the work force. POST Job Challenge, continues to build on the discipline and structure they received during their training and education at Youth Challenge.”
Brig. Gen. R. Van McCarty, the deputy adjutant general for the South Carolina National Guard, said, “We will be affording our Youth Challenge graduates an opportunity to be employed. They will be strong, capable young men and women with all this training and education.”
“Without POST Job Challenge, it would be like sending a Soldier to their unit after basic training without their job training.”
McCarty then addressed the Youth Challenge cadets in the audience, “Continue to apply yourself; consider the option of POST Job Challenge, work hard to be part of the inaugural class,” McCarty said. “We believe in you.”