By Sarah Bennett

Standing Thursday on the floor of a gymnasium at John Hardin High School, Hardin County Schools Superintendent Nannette Johnston asked the senior class to raise their hands if they knew what they planned to do next year.

Although many students raised their hands, not all 235 did.

Then Johnston asked the class to raise their hands if they wanted to be successful.

The response was unanimous.

This week, the district spoke to seniors at its three high schools to encourage participation in its new work ethic certification program. Students have until Aug. 30 to sign up.

The program, which only is open to seniors this year, is an effort to assist students in developing workplace skills, training them in employment expectations, communication and protocol.

Students who participate complete seven sessions provided by Junior Achievement of Kentuckiana and, as a culminating activity, must create a portfolio with a cover letter and resume to present to a panel of community members.

“I will guarantee you, you will not be successful — will not — if you don’t have what’s in that packet,” said Johnston, referring to informational folders provided to each student.

The 2013 Leadership Hardin County class has agreed to teach the JA program and the district is partnering with local businesses, who can provide opportunities such as job shadowing, mock interviews and mentoring, according to HCS.

Johnston said local business support of the certification program is “growing every day.”

Cameron Brown, vice president and trust officer at First Citizens Bank and member of the 2013 leadership class, said he’s excited about the curriculum. He sees it as an opportunity for students to learn skills they ordinarily wouldn’t in a classroom, such as interview preparation or dressing professionally.

Brown said participating in the program is a “huge advantage for students locally.”

“In the past, it felt like there was this huge jump off between graduating high school and deciding what to do next,” he said.

John Hardin senior Vasi Wilk said the program addresses the needs of all students because not everyone plans to attend a four-year college.

“This as well as with the (Early College and Career Center) is going to help others get jobs and be successful in the workplace and be successful in their own lives,” Wilk said.

Dimitri Cooper, also a John Hardin senior, said the program will help students transition from high school to professional life.

Skills developed through work ethic certification will “put a face on my application,” he said.

“They can see that work certification seal on my application and they’ll say, ‘We really need to get this guy in for an interview,’” he said.