Jonesboro Unlimited Hosts Here2Hired Signing Day for Local Students

Program connects graduating seniors with career opportunities at regional employers

Apr. 11, 2026 at 2:55pm

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An abstracted, out-of-focus photograph showing the blurred silhouettes of high school students and business leaders shaking hands, surrounded by a warm, hazy glow of soft, colorful light, capturing the celebratory and collaborative spirit of the event.The Here2Hired Signing Day celebration brings together Jonesboro's future workforce with local employers, forging meaningful connections for the community's next generation.Jonesboro Today

Jonesboro Unlimited (JU) held a Signing Day Celebration to honor soon-to-be graduating high school seniors who have either received conditional job offers or been selected to move forward in the interview process with three local employers as part of their new Here2Hired initiative. The program is designed to strengthen the region's workforce pipeline by connecting students with career opportunities.

Why it matters

Here2Hired is an important initiative that aims to address workforce development challenges in the Jonesboro region by directly connecting graduating students with local employers. This type of collaboration between education and industry can help ensure the future talent pipeline for the community.

The details

The Here2Hired event kicked off with a career fair on March 12 at Nettleton High School where around 200 local students met with 26 regional employers. This was followed by interviews for students who were selected for available positions or openings in the near future. The Signing Day Celebration on April 9 honored those students who had recently been given conditional job offers or been selected for the next phase of the interview process.

  • The Here2Hired career fair was held on March 12, 2026.
  • The Signing Day Celebration took place on April 9, 2026.

The players

Jonesboro Unlimited

A local economic development organization that designed the Here2Hired program to connect graduating seniors with career opportunities at regional employers.

Hytrol Conveyor Company

The headliner partner for the Here2Hired initiative, which believes in investing in young talent to build a strong workforce.

Christy Valentine

The Manager of Academic and Philanthropic Programs at Hytrol Conveyor Company.

Shelle Randall

The Director of Workforce Development and Existing Industry at Jonesboro Unlimited.

Rayshaun Gallaway, Keshaun Washington, Javion Hill, Shariah Brinkley, Jaylah Mathis, Nicolai Houston, Dewayne Morris

Students from Jonesboro High School, Nettleton High School, and Trumann High School / Northeast Arkansas Career & Technical Center who were selected to move forward in the interview process with Hytrol Conveyor Co.

Wes Smith, Tayvon Love

Students from Westside High School and Brookland High School who received conditional job offers from Chris West Plumbing, Inc.

Wil Oberg

A homeschooled student from the Northeast Arkansas Career & Technical Center who received a conditional job offer from Greenway Equipment.

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What they’re saying

“We couldn't be more proud of the students we recognized at our inaugural Here2Hired Signing Day. It was such a meaningful way to celebrate their hard work and the exciting next steps ahead. This event is a great example of what can happen when education and industry work hand-in-hand to support the future of Jonesboro.”

— Shelle Randall, Director of Workforce Development and Existing Industry, Jonesboro Unlimited

“At Hytrol, we believe a strong workforce starts with investing in young talent. Here2Hired is a powerful example of how communities can come together to create real opportunities. We're honored to be part of this initiative and look forward to seeing these students flourish as they begin their careers.”

— Christy Valentine, Manager of Academic and Philanthropic Programs, Hytrol Conveyor Company

What’s next

The selected students will continue through the interview process with the local employers, with the goal of securing full-time positions after graduation.

The takeaway

The Here2Hired Signing Day celebration demonstrates the power of collaboration between education and industry to develop the future workforce and provide meaningful career opportunities for graduating students in the Jonesboro region.