Extension
It Starts With Us
2024 2025 21st Century Life Skills/Developing Human Capital
Economic and Workplace Development 2024 2025
Denise Donahue, Dan Allen, Diane Kelley, Joan Bowling, Brandon George, Lori Clark, Anna Meyers
Workforce Preparation – 4-H Youth Development
Community Vitality and Leadership -FCS
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
LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES:
Audience: 4-H Members (ages 9-18) ,4-H Member’s & 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, 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: 8/2024 to 5/2025
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, 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: 8/2024 to 5/2025
Audience: Kenton County 4-H Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Record Books
Content or Curriculum: Corresponding 4-H Record Books
Inputs: Agents, Volunteers, Club leaders, and Families
Date: June 2025
Audience: Homeowners
Activity: Ins and Outs of Downsizing your Home
Content or Curriculum: UK publications
Inputs: FCS agent
Date March 2025
Audience: General Public
Activity: Consumer Fraud Protection
Content: UK Publication, Sec of State
Date: October 2024
Audience: General public
Activity: Savvy Sellers and Bargain Hunters
Content: UK curriculum
Inputs: FCS agent, thrift store personnel, antique professional
Date: April 2024
Audience: Kenton 4-H Youth Middle and High School
Activity: 4-H “It’s Your Reality”
Content or Curriculum: UK Copyrighted Inputs
Inputs: Agents, County Middle and High Schools, FYRSC Coordinators, teachers, parents, program funds, guidance counselors
Date: School Year 2024 – 2025
Audience: Youth Grade SchoolActivity: “Dollars & Sense”
Content or Curriculum: UK Copyrighted
Inputs: Agents, County wide Grade Schools, FYRSC Coordinators, teachers, parents, program funds
Date: School Year 2024—2025
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 2024 – July 2025Activity: 4-H Achievement Forms and Recognition
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Leadership Achievement Curriculum
Inputs: Agents, Assistants, Volunteers, Parents
Date: September 2024– June 2025
Audience: 4-H Youth
Project or Activity: Expressive Art
Content or Curriculum: National 4-H Art Curriculum
Inputs: Agents & assistants
Date: July 2024-June 2025Audience: 4-H Youth
Project or Activity: Livestock Judging and Skill-a-thon
Content or Curriculum: Ohio State Livestock Kits, University of Kentucky’s Livestock Discovery
Inputs: Volunteer team coach, JudgingPro.com, parent volunteers, local farms, county van, Marshall Rd. Office, program support funds, 4-H agent
Date: November 2024- June 2025
Audience: Agriculture community
Project or Activity: My Farm is a Business
Content or Curriculum: UK Publications, Annie’s Project
Inputs: Agents, local professionals
Date: September, October, November 2024
