2021 21st Century Life Skills/Developing Human Capital
2021 Economic and Workplace Development
Denise Donahue, Kathy Byrnes, Dan Allen, Diane Kelley, Mary Averbeck, Joan Bowling, Linda Brown-Price
21st Century Skills (Career & Workplace Development)
Positive Employability
Economic Development
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). Studies show in the United States, only 1/3 of high school seniors are college ready. Only 1/3 of high school graduates are work-ready.
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.
- More effective employees and community leaders.
- Improved financial capability for Kentuckians, results in better quality of life and stronger families.
- Gainful employment in rewarding careers
- Lower unemployment rates
- Full participation in local and state community
- Practice better employee “soft/essential skills” such as communication, networking, teamwork, time management, problem-solving, etc.
- Improve employability through practical living skills and continued education practices.
- Successful completion of post-secondary programs
- Entry into careers of choice
- Lower amounts of student loan debts
- Change knowledge, opinions, skills, and aspirations, to improve employability through work and practical living skills and continuing education practices.
- Better alignment with expectations with Schools, Postsecondary Institutions, and Businesses
- Increased funding and resources to 4-H Programs
- Increased participation in local and state 4-H Programs
- Sustained, higher-quality 4-H programs
- Higher graduation rates
- Increased entry into post-secondary programs
- Increased access to financial aid
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, quasi-verbal, 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
Audience: 4-H Members (ages 9-18) ,4-H Members’ Families
Project: Leverage partnerships to enhance existing initiatives around college & career readiness
Content: KY 4-H Agent-written Workforce Preparation curriculum pieces are currently on the 4-H Agent Resource Guide: Resource Guide > Family & Consumer Science > Workforce Preparation: National 4-H Career Readiness Framework; Kentucky Career Clusters (there are actually 16, not 14!) https://education.ky.gov/CTE/kytech/Documents/Career%20Clusters%20Update.pdf
Input: 4-H Agent, curriculum publications and resources, local employers and community leaders
Date: August 2020 to May 2021
Project: Expand exploration, development, and practical application of academic learning and 21st Century Skills for Success
Content: KY 4-H Agent-written Workforce Preparation curriculum pieces are currently on the 4-H Agent Resource Guide: Resource Guide > Family & Consumer Science > Workforce Preparation: National 4-H Career Readiness Framework; Kentucky Career Clusters (there are actually 16, not 14!) https://education.ky.gov/CTE/kytech/Documents/Career%20Clusters%20Update.pdf
Input: 4-H Agent, curriculum publications and resources, local employers and community leaders
Date: August 2020 to May 2021
Audience: Adults, teens, unemployed individuals, limited-resource individuals, parolees
Project or Activity: Forming a Job Club
Content or Curriculum: KY CES Resources
Input: FCS Agents, Community Partners (Unemployment Office)
Date: Fall 2021 to Spring 2022
Audience: Young Adults, Job Seekers
Project or Activity: Resume and Interview Skills Classes
Content or Curriculum: KY CES Resources
Inputs: KY CES State Specialists, Program Assistants, FCS Agents, Community Partners
Date: September-October 2021, March-April 2022
Audience: 4-H Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Record Books
Content or Curriculum: Corresponding 4-H Record Books
Inputs: Agents
Date: June, July 2022
Audience: Homeowners
Activity: Ins and Outs of Downsizing your Home
Content or Curriculum: UK publications
Inputs: FCS agent
Date: March 2022
Audience: General public
Activity: Savvy Sellers and Bargain Hunters
Content: UK curriculum
Inputs: FCS agent, thrift store personnel, antique professional
Date: April 2022
Audience: Youth Middle and High SchoolActivity: 4-H “It’s Your Reality”
Content or Curriculum: UK Copyrighted Inputs
Inputs: Agents and County Middle and High Schools
Date: School Year: 2020 – 2021
Audience: Youth Grade SchoolActivity: “Dollars & Sense”
Content or Curriculum: UK Copyrighted
Inputs: Agents and County-wide Grade Schools
Date: School Year: 2020 - 2021
Activity: 4-H School Clubs, Communication Events
Content or Curriculum: Speech and Demo lesson is part of every curriculum
Inputs: Agent, Volunteers, Schools, Assistants
Date: September 2021 – July 2022
Activity: 4-H Achievement
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Leadership Achievement Curriculum
Inputs: Agents & Assistants
Date: September 2021– April 2022
Author: Diane Kelley
Major Program: Agriculture
In 2005, Kara Gurley became a certified 4-H volunteer leader in the Kentucky 4-H Livestock Program dedicated to educating 4-H Youth and their parents on the fundamentals of livestock and livestock ownership. As a long-term member of the 4-H livestock program, Kara is sharing livestock projects with her nieces and the children of some of her former 4-H club members. She is most proud of the many 4-H members who seek education beyond high school using funds from the livestock sale. &nb
Author: Diane Kelley
Major Program: Agriculture
2022 Embryology in the Classroom Hatching Classroom ProjectsIncubating and hatching chicken eggs in a classroom is a hands-on learning experience teachers used with students from kindergarten to 12th grade in Kenton County during the spring of 2022. Classroom lessons referencing chicken embryos taught complex systems such as nutrition and circulatory system, and basic skills such as data measurement, collection, and analysis. The project helped students learn biological concept
Author: Diane Kelley
Major Program: 21st Century Skills (Career & Workplace Development)
“Recordkeeping is a key component of proper data management. When data are recorded accurately, consistently, and carefully the ability to review analyze, and test the data is greatly enhanced. …captured in a paper notebook, spreadsheets, or electronic data…, there should be a consistent approach…” Responsible Conduct of Research and Scholarly Activity 2022.Writing and maintaining a record book is a basic tenet of 4-H programs. 4-H record books