Extension
It Starts With Us
Developing Life Skills
Life Skills Development
Elizabeth Coots, Ryan Farley, Adam Probst, Faye Kuosman
Communications and Expressive Arts 4-H Core Curriculum
Science, Engineering and Technology 4-H Core Curriculum
As recognized by county stakeholders, the development of both hard and soft skills is an important aspect of workforce prep. Many are entering the career field not having developed the skills necessary to receive and maintain the job. With the county unemployment rate as of 2017 hovering at around 3.2% according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, it is imperative that Woodford County Extension work to develop life skills that clientele can use to better equip themselves for all facets of their life including their careers.
An increase in qualified job candidates and a decrease in unemployment throughout Woodford County.
Clientele will employ specific skills or practices learned from Woodford County Extension programs to better equip themselves as future employees in Woodford County.
Clientele will be able to identify different life skills that are both applicable and necessary to become active and engaged Woodford County citizens.
Initial Outcome: Clientele will be able to identify different life skills that are both applicable and necessary to become active and engaged Woodford County citizens.
Indicator: Self-Report
Method: Evaluations
Timeline: Per program
Intermediate Outcome: Clientele will employ specific skills or practices learned from Woodford County Extension programs to better equip themselves as future employees in Woodford County.
Indicator: Observation
Method: Interviews
Timeline: Annuals
Long-term Outcome: An increase in qualified job candidates and a decrease in unemployment throughout Woodford County.
Indicator: Reports and Statistics
Method: U.S. Census Data
Timeline: Annually
Audience: School Classroom Clubs
Project or Activity: SET Lessons
Content or Curriculum: 4-H SET Curriculum
Inputs: Agent/Program Assistant Time, Teacher/Classroom Time
Date: September - March
Audience: 4th/5th Grade Youth
Project or Activity: Lego Robotics Club
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Lego Robotics
Inputs: Agent/Program Assistant Time, Volunteer Leader Time, Extension Office Facilities/Supplies
Date: January - April
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Communications Contest
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Communications Curriculum
Inputs: Agent/Program Assistant Time, Volunteers for judging, Support from Kiwanis
Date: January
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Summertime Fun Project Days
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Expressive Arts Curriculum, 4-H Family and Consumer Sciences Curriculum, 4-H Natural Resources Curriculum
Inputs: Agent/Program Assistant Time, Volunteer instructors, Materials for teaching, Extension facilities
Date: June-July
Audience: Adult Residents
Project or Activity: Where Does Your Money Go?
Content or Curriculum: Where Does Your Money Go? Curriculum
Inputs: Agent Time, Materials, Curriculum
Date: Summer
Audience: Skills for Life
Project or Activity: Basic cooking and nutrition, basic budgeting
Content or Curriculum: University of Kentucky Nutrition Education Program "Everybody" Curriculum
Inputs: Agents time, materials, curriculum, Bluegrass Community Action Partnership
Date: Spring
Author: Ryan Farley
Major Program: Communications and Expressive Arts 4-H Core Curriculum
A repeated expressed concern in Woodford County is the development of soft skills in the next generation of the workforce. Anecdotally employers express concern that interviewees regularly show up to interview for a job without the basic skills necessary to make a solid impression on their future employers. One such skill that Woodford County has prioritized for youth development is the ability to speak publicly. In response, Woodford County 4-H continues to host it's annual 4-H Communicatio
Author: T. Adam Probst
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
Each year the Woodford County Extension Service offers a 4-H Lawn Tractor Safety program and driving competition. Taught and led by the ANR Agent, 14 youth participated in 2018. Those 14 youth all learned proper safety precautions when operating and working around machinery and equipment, then was able to directly apply it in the driving competition course. Eleven months later two youth stated that they still apply the lessons they learned through that course into their daily l
