Work Ethics Distinctions

Several years ago, Giles County Schools partnered with Giles Leadership to establish a Work Ethics program to reward hardworking students who demonstrate the work ethic that local industry and post-secondary institutions value. The work ethics distinction was an initiative that began statewide but we wanted to tailor it to meet the county's individual needs. The purpose of the Work Ethics Distinction is a program that Giles County Schools and Giles Leadership have collaborated on to increase the efficiency of the pipeline to employment in Giles County and recognize students with the work ethic needed to succeed. Giles County Schools in collaboration with the Giles County Chamber of Commerce, worked diligently to provide guidance, raise scholarship funds, and develop an overall vision for the project. Students who graduate with this credential illustrate that they are prepared to enter the workforce or successfully transition to college.  They identified 12 work ethic standards that local industry values as a desired trait in their employees. The 12 work ethic standards are centered around attendance, tardiness, discipline, being drug-free, GPA, CTE coursework, CTE CTSO competitions, Post-secondary exploration, dual enrollment credits, employment, enlistment, and enrolled status, career readiness standard through ACT benchmark scores, and industry awareness through job shadowing, internships, and community service. If you would like to know more about how you can support Giles County Work Ethics, please contact Dr. Courtney Woods, CTE Director, at cwoods@gcboe.us.