Students in Alachua County are now eligible for the "Hire Me First" program that will tell employers just that, and administrators hope that this new program could be a win-win for job seekers and bosses.

The Gainesville Chamber of Commerce and the Alachua County School Board hope that through this program, they're preparing students to enter the workforce.

According to 11th grader, Ebony Locus finding a job, even a first job, isn't easy.

"If you want a good job being a student it's kind of hard, because they'll think 'Oh you're a student so you're not responsible you're not going to come to work, you're not going to show up'."

That's why Locus is excited to be the first Alachua County student to receive the "Hire Me First" card, letting potential employers know that she's ready, though she's still in high school.

"I'm very willing to learn and I'm a responsible person," adds Locus.

And that's just what the president, Brent Christensen, of the Gainesville Chamber of Commerce wants to here.

"What we wanted to do was find a way to identify those students who had those qualities within the high schools," says Christensen.

So the chamber devised a way to find a supply of student workers to meet the demands of local businesses. With more than 1350 member businesses in the county, the jobs are available. And if a student does well, they'd be in line for full-time employment right out of high school.

Christensen says in a variety of industries, "Everything from health care to bio tech...,"says Christensen.

Students in 10th through 12th grades can apply. To qualify a student must take at least one class in business or technology, maintain a 2.5 grade point average or better, and like Ebony, should show an interest.

"I want more experience before I go on to college," adds Locus.

Her teacher who recommended her for the card, is hopeful that this program will help focus more students and direct them into the program,

"{We're} trying to be sure that our students were meeting the soft skills,"says Carrie Davis, the Business and Technology teacher at Eastside High School.

What a transcript doesn't convey are a students soft skills; like do they they know how to present themselves, dress professionally? The Hire Me First card let's an employer know they do.

Workforce Florida reports that more than 40% of job applicants lack the basic skills to make them employable.

Things as simple as getting to work on time and demonstrating an ability to work in teams is invaluable and marketable.

"We hope that the employers will look at the student through the card as a student who has put forth special effort," adds Davis.

The program recognizes that not all students are college bound, just a solid GPA and a teacher recommendation can make for a good candidate.

By Stacey Samuel, WCJB TV20 News