Governor’s Work Ethic Certificate (PRIDE)

South Harrison Community Schools is excited to offer a College & Career Readiness initiative that allows senior students the opportunity to earn a new industry-recognized certification. The development and adoption of a community and employer-recognized Work Ethic Certificate (WEC) is critical to providing a pipeline of skilled high school graduates for today’s workforce. The employability skills recognized in the Governor’s WEC have been vetted by Hoosier employers, community based organizations and post-secondary education institutions and are designed to encourage students to meet the benchmarks that will assist them in their college or career goals.

The Governor’s Work Ethic Certificate goals as outlined by IN Dept. of Workforce Development:

  • Connect employers to their local school district through a College and Career Readiness Advisory Council designed to create a collaborative partnership that benefits the community.

  • Provide students with an understanding of necessary employability skills for today’s in-demand jobs and allow them an opportunity to demonstrate these skills while in high school.

  • Provide employers with potential workers who understand the values and importance of responsibility and perseverance in the workplace.

South Harrison high school seniors can elect to participate in the Governor’s Work Ethic Certificate program at the beginning of the school year. As a participant, students will be measured in nine areas of academic and work ethic competency. Five of these competencies are designed to assess behavioral characteristics, commonly referred to as “soft skills”. These competencies will require confirmation from a teacher, counselor or administrator that the student candidate possesses the appropriate soft skills. The soft skill competencies are identified by the acronym PRIDE.

Persistence – persevere through challenges, problem-solve
Respectfulness – accept and serve others, possess a positive attitude, communicate clearly
Initiative – self-starter, critical thinker
Dependability – shows academic readiness, is reliable, demonstrates responsibility and teamwork
Efficiency – organized, punctual, self-manages

Student candidates will also have to meet four additional objective competencies such as GPA, absence/tardy record and disciplinary record. In addition, each candidate will be required to compete verifiable community service hours.

Indiana Dept. of Workforce Development, https://www.in.gov/dwd/workethic.htm