Education, experience and a strong work ethic are among the qualifications sought by employers.
To prepare students for careers and professions, schools may combine instruction with both hands-on training and character education.
Three Jefferson City public schools recently were among the 326 institutions worldwide recognized by Character.org for promoting character education.
The Jefferson City Public Schools district participates in the organization's CharacterPlus program, and the recent honorees were the Jefferson City Academic Center, Lewis and Clark Middle School, and Southwest Early Childhood Center.
Two are repeat winners. The academic center was honored in 2013, becoming the first alternative school in Missouri to be named a National School of Character. In 2015, Southwest became the second early childhood center in the nation to earn the recognition.
The awards specify programs within the schools. They included:
At the academic center, the "Character Counts" community outreach program and "JCAC Soars Digitally," where students record children's books.
At Lewis and Clark, "Best Week Ever," which focuses on positive attitudes and behaviors, and "Blazing Character Through Poetry."
At Southwest, "Cubbies & Bears," a mentorship program and a "conscious discipline" technique focused on calming behavior both at school and at home.
The notion that subjects are taught at school and character is learned at home is narrowing.
And the notion that employers seek only skills and experience is disappearing.
A glanced at "Help Wanted" ads in the News Tribune reveals these requirements: "positive attitude," "hard-working and reliable," "ability to work well with others in team environment," "excellent communication and interpersonal skills."
The list could go on, but the point is character counts.
Knowledge is essential, but so is the ability to integrate that knowledge as a member of the workforce, community and society.
We commend the local schools not just for winning the awards, but for recognizing the life-long value of character education.