Teaching Workforce Preparation and Financial ManagementPlan of Work

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Graves County CES

Title:
Teaching Workforce Preparation and Financial Management
MAP:
Securing Financial Stability
Agents Involved:
Chadwick, Wooley, Ag Agent
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Financial Education - General
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Farm Management, Economics and Policy
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Communications and Expressive Arts
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Positive Employability
Situation:

The Kentucky Extension Community Assessment Statewide Report 2019 indicates that money management for families and youth and employee “soft/essential skills” training continue to be important issues statewide. Research conducted by Harvard University, the Carnegie Foundation, and Stanford Research Center indicates 85% of job success comes from having well developed soft and people skills, and only 15% of job success comes from technical skills and knowledge (hard skills).  Employers are often prepared to teach technical job skills; however, the intangible skills of being a team player, time management, and positive attitude are difficult to teach on-sight but critical to success.  

Long-Term Outcomes:

Community members will become more effective employees and community leaders.

Community members will experience improved financial capability for Kentuckians, resulting in better quality of life and stronger families

Community will experience a reduced poverty rate

Community will experience reduced underemployment and unemployment

Community will experience increase in household income

Community will experience improved local tax base

Agricultural producers will experience improved profitability

 Youth will be responsible and contributing individuals and family members

Youth will gain and maintain employment through life skill development

Youth will contribute to a safe pleasant and productive home and family

Intermediate Outcomes:

Community members will practice better employee “soft/essential skills” such as communication, networking, teamwork, time management, problem-solving, etc.

Community members will improve employability through practical living skills and continued education practices

Youth will utilize and practice life skills in projects and life situations

Youth will project a positive image and self-confidence

Youth will practice responsible consumer and financial decision-making

Youth will make choices that lead to responsible and beneficial results 

Youth will adopt habits and skills that contribute toward employability in the future

Initial Outcomes:

Community members will change knowledge, opinions, skills, and aspirations, to improve employability through work and practical living skills and continuing education practices.

 Youth will gain knowledge and develop skills in Family & Consumer Sciences projects and programs

Youth will understand the decision-making process

Youth will gain skills in setting a goal and developing a plan of action

Youth will learn to read and follow instructions

Evaluation:

Outcome:  Improved workforce communication 

Indicator:  Number of individuals who reported the intent to utilize etiquette practices to improve verbal, written, and electronic communication practices (Communicating Effectively)

Indicator:  Number of individuals reporting increased levels of understanding in the area: demonstrate strong verbal and nonverbal communications (Conveying Your Message)

Method:  Pre/Post Evaluation 

Timeline:  Following Positive Employability 


Outcome:  Improved workplace listening skills 

Indicator:  Number of individuals reporting increased levels of understanding in the area: how to utilize listening cues (nonverbal, quaisverbal, and verbal) in conversation (Listening and Inquiry)

Method:  Pre/Post Evaluation 

Timeline:  Following Positive Employability 


Outcome:  Networking Skills 

Indicator:  Number of individuals reporting increased levels of confidence in the area: participate in a productive business conversation (Networking for Success)

Method:  Pre/Post Evaluation 

Timeline:  Following Positive Employability


Outcome: Communication and Workforce Skills

Indicator: Number of youth exercising communication skills

Method: Observation

Timeline: Ongoing


Outcome: Financial Management Skills

Indicator: Number of youth exercising financial management skills

Method: Observation

Timeline: Ongoing

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Working-age adults and young adults preparing for the workforce

Project or Activity: 10 Soft Skills for Success

Content or Curriculum: Positive Employability

Inputs: FCS Agent, curriculum publications and resources, local employers and community leaders

Date: 2020-2021


Audience: Working-age adults and young adults preparing for the workforce                        

Project or Activity: Conveying Your Message

Content or Curriculum: Positive Employability

Inputs: FCS Agent, curriculum publications and resources, local employers and community leaders

Date: 2020-2021


Audience: Working-age adults and young adults preparing for the workforce

Project or Activity: Networking for Success

Content or Curriculum: Positive Employability

Inputs: FCS Agent, curriculum publications and resources, local employers and community leaders

Date: 2020-2021


Audience: Youth ages 9-18

Project or Activity: 4-H Communications Program

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Communications Curriculum

Inputs: 4-H Agent, Volunteers, Community Partner

Date: 2020-2021


Audience: Youth ages 9-18

Project or Activity: 4-H Consumer Education Classes

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Consumer Education

Inputs: 4-H Agent, Volunteers, Community Partners

Date: 2020-2021


Audience: Youth ages 9-18

Project or Activity: 4-H Workforce Preparation Lessons

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Workforce Preparation Curriculum

Inputs: 4-H Agent, Volunteers, Community Partners

Date: 2020-2021



Success Stories

Positive Employability

Author: Denise Wooley

Major Program: Positive Employability

Research conducted by Harvard University, the Carnegie Foundation, and Stanford Research Center indicates 85 percent of job success comes from having well-developed soft and people skills, and only 15 percent of job success comes from technical skills and knowledge (hard skills). Employers are often prepared to teach technical job skills; however, the intangible skills of being a team player, time management, and positive attitude are difficult to teach on-site but are critical to success. 

Full Story

Horse Club Prepares Agricultural Leaders

Author: Kelsey Chadwick

Major Program: Agriculture

Horse Club Prepares Agricultural Leaders

The new 4-H Horse Club in Graves County is providing opportunities for youth to learn more about horses while meeting new friends and caring adults. Over 40 members have enrolled in the club and over half received their six hours of education to be able to compete in state-level events. Youth had many educational experiences including guest speakers, farm visits, riding clinics, hippology practices, and more to prepare them for the opportunities available through the 4-H Horse Program. Graves Co

Full Story

Money Habitudes

Author: Denise Wooley

Major Program: Financial Education - General

Financial education programs often highlight financial literacy skills such as budgeting and managing credit card debt; however, these skills do not tap into the emotional and practical issues that cause people to react irrationally with money. Financial decisions are most often motivated by emotional need as opposed to logical knowledge. To address this concern, the Graves County Cooperative Extension Service utilized the Money Habitudes program to emphasize the importance of developing a healt

Full Story
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