Marion County CES

County Emphasis:

Work and Life Skill Development

Concentration 1:

Work and Life Skill Development

Concentration 2:

Family and Youth Development

Situation:

Kentucky household income statistics are concerning, with the median household income in Kentucky on a downward trend (i.e., approximately $55,100, which is 74% of the U.S. median income). Most alarming, it is estimated that nearly 62% of Kentucky households do not generate sufficient income to meet living wage standards given the state’s average cost of living. The Kentucky Center for Business and Economic Research (2024) projects that, “a key for Kentucky’s future economic growth is to identify and successfully implement programs that increase the employment-population ratio, particularly for working-age adults.” The University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) is committed to improving the work and life skill development of adults across the Commonwealth by offering programming designed to increase the human capital of constituents. This includes providing education and training on topics such as workforce preparation, job readiness, financial literacy, soft skills, and professionalism, among others.

In a 2023 University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Community Needs Assessment, with nearly 28,000 responses from across the state, Building Employee Soft Skills (e.g., communication, productivity, and teamwork skills) and Building Life Skills of Community Members were among the top ten Individual and Family Development Needs reported by Kentuckians.

County Situation:

Youth life skill training opportunities ranked in the top 15  as one of Marion County's identified issues on the community assessment.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Improved quality of workforce

Intermediate Outcomes:

Increased implementation of employability strategies/skills

Increased salary/income

Increased employment

Initial Outcomes:

Strengthening work and life skills, including but not limited to, developing workforce development skills, employability and interpersonal skills, and work-life management strategies. 

Developed skills related to workforce development

Improved employability and interpersonal skills

Increased confidence to implement employability strategies

Developed strategies for maintaining a health work-life balance

Evaluation:

Outcome: Developed skills related to workforce development (initial)

Indicator: Number of individuals who reported learning new skills to prepare or improved themselves for the workforce as a result of participating in an Extension workforce development program/outreach

Method: Self-reported surveys

Timeline: Post-program/curricula survey administration

Outcome: Improved employability and/or interpersonal skills (e.g., job interview skills, communication, networking, time management) (initial)

Indicator: (1) Number of participants who reported improvement in job interview skills; (2) Number of participants who reported improvement in personal skills.

Method: Self-reported surveys

Timeline: Post-program/curricula survey administration or follow-up evaluation

Long-term Outcome:

Indicator:

Method:

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Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Individuals, Families, Employees

Project or Activity: Development of Time Management Skills

Content or Curriculum: Time Well Spent: Productivity Skills for Success curriculum; publications, newsletters; Leader Lessons; podcasts; etc.

Inputs: Programmatic materials, paid staff, volunteers, community partners, non-profit organizations, schools, Chamber of Commerce, businesses, etc.

Date: Ongoing

Audience: Individuals, Families, Employees

Project or Activity: Development of Employability Skills

Content or Curriculum: Positive Employability; Preparing for Financial Success curriculum; publications, newsletters (e.g., MONEYWI$E); Job Club; podcasts; PROFIT; Recovering Your Finances curriculum; OneOp; Enhancing Essential Skills Through the Arts curriculum and lessons, Artist Studio Guide lessons, publications

Inputs: Programmatic materials, paid staff, volunteers, community partners, non-profit organizations, schools, Court system, community centers, etc.

Date: Ongoing

Audience:

Project or Activity:

Content or Curriculum:

Inputs:

Date:

Evaluation:

Outcome: Developed skills related to workforce development (initial)

Indicator: Number of individuals who reported learning new skills to prepare or improved themselves for the workforce as a result of participating in an Extension workforce development program/outreach

Method: Self-reported surveys

Timeline: Post-program/curricula survey administration

Outcome: Improved employability and/or interpersonal skills (e.g., job interview skills, communication, networking, time management) (initial)

Indicator: (1) Number of participants who reported improvement in job interview skills; (2) Number of participants who reported improvement in personal skills.

Method: Self-reported surveys

Timeline: Post-program/curricula survey administration or follow-up evaluation

Long-term Outcome:

Indicator:

Method:

Timeline: