Today’s youth will eventually enter the workforce and being prepared for that transition is crucial for their success. Employers are looking for quailed applicants, with proper education or training, but also want individuals that have developed soft skill sets.   Through all levels of schooling students learn core subjects but they don't necessarily gain the soft skills they need to enter the workforce. This is a common concern for hiring professionals.  To prepare our youth and educate them about the skills necessary to have a successful career, Shelby County 4-H partnered with a local middle school for a career readiness program.

The 4-H Agent and Program Assistant presented lessons from the 21^st Century Skills (Career and Workforce Development) curriculum developed by Kentucky 4-H to supplement materials taught by the classroom teacher.  Students were presented programming on Hard Skills, Soft Skills, Career Clusters and Interest Survey, and How Career Choice Effects Financial Stability in the Future. Students were reminded that choices and performance in Middle and High School can impact career opportunities in the future.  Career exploration was encouraged.

 A pre-test and post-test were conducted with 186 students in 6^th through 8^th grades.  Over 92% of the participants indicated they knew the difference between hard and soft skills at the end of the program, which was nearly a thirty percent increase from the start of the program.  Ninety-one percent understand what it meant to be career ready as opposed to 78% in the beginning.  Results also showed that 93% indicated they used the information they learned to make decisions.  Many of the youth began to discuss careers that they may have an interest in and were introduced to some new options after completing the career interest survey.

While the long term results of the program cannot be evaluated until the youth are entering the workforce, they have been given a start that could set them up for success in the future.