McCreary County CES

Title:

Income and Workforce Development

MAP:

Community and Economic Development

Agents Involved:

VanMeter, Goodman

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Business Retention and Expansion

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:

• More effective employees and community leaders. 

• Improved financial capability for Kentuckians, results in better quality of life and stronger families. 

Intermediate Outcomes:

• 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. 

Initial Outcomes:

Change knowledge, opinions, skills, and aspirations, to improve employability through work and practical living skills and continuing education practices.  

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 

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:  

  

Project or Activity: Conveying Your Message 

Content or Curriculum: Positive Employability 

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

Date:  

  

Project or Activity: Networking for Success 

Content or Curriculum: Positive Employability 

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

Date: