Life Skill Training Opportunities. Plan of Work
Jackson County CES
County Emphasis:
Life Skill Training Opportunities.
Concentration 1:
Work and Life Skill Development
Concentration 2:
Building Leadership Capacity
Concentration 3:
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.
Youth Focus
America’s future hinges on a prepared workforce and engaged communities collaborating to tackle society’s most pressing challenges. As of 2024, there are 2,465,949 job openings in Kentucky and nationwide there are 10 million unfilled jobs. Fasted growing jobs are in the fields of vocational education and higher education teachers, agriculture professionals, and digitally enabled roles: ecommerce specialists, digital transformation specialists, and digital marketing professionals (World Economic Forum, 2023). 85% of the jobs that will exist in 2030 haven’t been invented yet (Dell Technologies, 2019). 77% of employers say focus less on traditional school subjects, more on real-world skills (Kauffman Foundation, 2021). Skills like analytical thinking, creative thinking, resilience, flexibility, adaptability are key (World Economic Forum, 2023). According to the National 4-H Index Study 2024, 80% explored career options, 50% received guidance for college decisions, and 95% reported 4-H helped them identify things they were good at. To ensure a sustainable society, it is crucial that our youth are equipped to fill these positions. The University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension System Community Needs Assessment (2023) has identified key priority issues related to life skill development for young people. These priorities include youth life skill training opportunities, youth workforce readiness, and maximizing youth voice in matters that directly impact them. Empowering our youth to actively participate in addressing societal issues is essential for a thriving future.
County Situation:
Jackson County, Kentucky, is a rural area located in the southeastern part of the state. It’s known for its scenic beauty, especially the Daniel Boone National Forest. Various local industries, educational resources, and regional economic factors influence the workforce in Jackson County. The workforce reflects a mix of agriculture, manufacturing, service industries, and public sector jobs, along with the unique challenges of its geographical and economic characteristics.
Long-Term Outcomes:
- Youth will demonstrate necessary leadership, teamwork, and communication skills needed to be successful in the workplace.
- Youth participation in community involvement increases.
- Youth will serve in leadership roles in their community.
- Youth will more effectively communicate, work with others, and contribute to driving change and shaping the future.
- Youth will become engaged, healthy, and productive members of their communities.
Adult
- Increased human capital among Kentuckians
- Decrease in state unemployment rates
- Improved quality of workforce
Intermediate Outcomes:
Initial Outcomes:
- Youth identify personal strengths that contribute to life and work skill development.
- Increased knowledge of career pathways.
- Increased knowledge of educational, training, and certification opportunities.
- Youth will practice civic engagement, leadership and communication skills.
Adult
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: Short term
Indicator:
- Number of youth who reported learning new skills to prepare or improve themselves for the workforce as a result of participating in an Extension workforce development program/outreach.
- Number of youth who reported that they improved their job interview skills as a result of participating in an Extension workforce development program/outreach.
- Number of youth who reported an improvement in their personal skills (e.g., communication, networking, time management) as a result of participating in an Extension workforce development program/outreach.
Method: Standard Evaluation
Timeline: Immediately post program (6+ hours)
Outcome: Medium Term
Indicator:
- Number of youth who developed a resume as a result of participating in an Extension workforce development program/outreach.
- Number of youth who gained an increase in salary/income as a result of participating in an Extension workforce development program/outreach.
- Number of youth who gained new employment as a result of participating in an Extension workforce development program/outreach.
Method: Survey
Timeline: End of program year
Adult
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
Outcome: Increased confidence to implement employability strategies (initial)
Indicator: Number of participants who reported improvement in their confidence to implement employment strategies as a result of participation.
Method: Self-reported surveys
Timeline: Post-program/curricula survey administration
Learning Opportunities:
Audience: 4-Hers, Extension Professionals, Clientele
Project or Activity: 4-H Core Program Areas (Leadership, Agriculture, Natural Resources, Communication and Expressive Arts, Science, Engineering and Technology, Health and Wellbeing, and Family Consumer Sciences), 4-H Camp, Cloverbud, Volunteerism, Adopt a Farmer program
Content or Curriculum: Approved Kentucky 4-H Curriculum by Core Program Area or Area of Interest
Inputs: These programs are supported by the research base of the Cooperative Extension Land-grant system, funding from the Kentucky 4-H Foundation, Inc., local, state, and federal sources, grants, and the engagement of volunteers, youth, communities, and external stakeholders. Work with the local Cattlemen's Association and the Jackson ANR agent to partner 4-Hers and farmers, showing youth what it takes to live the day-to-day farm lifestyle and how to gain knowledge of farming business.
Dates: Program Year
Audience: 4-Hers, Extension Professionals, Clientele
Project or Activity: 4-H Resume, Cover Letter, and Interview Skills Program (Club/Group/Individual)
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky 4-H Work & Life Readiness Lessons, 4-H Build Your Future, Work Ready Life Skills, and Leap into Careers.
Inputs: These programs are supported by the research base of the Cooperative Extension Land-grant system, funding from the Kentucky 4-H Foundation, Inc., local, state, and federal sources, grants, and the engagement of volunteers, youth, communities, and external stakeholders such as civic groups. Focus is on Grades 8-12.
Dates: Program Year
Audience: 4-Hers, Extension Professionals, Clientele
Project or Activity: 4-H Life and Work Readiness (Club/Group/Individual)
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky 4-H Work & Life Readiness Lessons, 4-H Build Your Future, Work Ready Life Skills, and Leap into Careers
Inputs: These programs are supported by the research base of the Cooperative Extension Land-grant system, funding from the Kentucky 4-H Foundation, Inc., local, state, and federal sources, grants, and the engagement of volunteers, youth, communities, and external stakeholders such as civic groups. Focus is on Grades 4-12.
Dates: Program Year
Audience: Individuals & Farmers
Project or Activity: Cook Wild
Content or Curriculum: Publications, trainings, recipes
Inputs: Programmatic materials, paid staff, volunteers, community partners, facilities, non-profits, 4-H, faith-based organizations, Homemakers, community centers, etc.
Dates: Ongoing
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
Evaluation:
Outcome: Short term
Indicator:
- Number of youth who reported learning new skills to prepare or improve themselves for the workforce as a result of participating in an Extension workforce development program/outreach.
- Number of youth who reported that they improved their job interview skills as a result of participating in an Extension workforce development program/outreach.
- Number of youth who reported an improvement in their personal skills (e.g., communication, networking, time management) as a result of participating in an Extension workforce development program/outreach.
Method: Standard Evaluation
Timeline: Immediately post program (6+ hours)
Outcome: Medium Term
Indicator:
- Number of youth who developed a resume as a result of participating in an Extension workforce development program/outreach.
- Number of youth who gained an increase in salary/income as a result of participating in an Extension workforce development program/outreach.
- Number of youth who gained new employment as a result of participating in an Extension workforce development program/outreach.
Method: Survey
Timeline: End of program year
Adult
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
Outcome: Increased confidence to implement employability strategies (initial)
Indicator: Number of participants who reported improvement in their confidence to implement employment strategies as a result of participation.
Method: Self-reported surveys
Timeline: Post-program/curricula survey administration
- Acting Associate Dean & Director — Craig Wood, Ph.D.
- S107 Ag. Science Center North
- Lexington, KY 40546-0091
- +1 (859) 257-4302
© 2024 University of Kentucky, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment