Research conducted by Harvard University , the Carnegie Foundation and Stanford Research Center has concluded that 85 percent of job success comes from having well-developed soft and people skills. https://www.nationalsoftskills.org/the-real-skills-gap/

Fcs teachers, FCCLA and FBLA leaders in local high schools have begun reaching out to FCS to have their students learn such skills.

For this reason two teachers selected the topic of "Professionalism", one of the top 10 soft skills listed in FCS curricula. 23 FBLA students, 17 FCCLA students and 3 adults were taught by Johnson County FCS on the fundamentals of professionalism which included communication skills among others. Each student participating agreed they had learned at least one new skill through the presentation and practiced it in the mock scenario following the program. An arts activity was included that allowed for a relaxed environment and a topic for discussion from a business perspective to follow.

One teacher stated "Our students  who participated in the positive employability program started with a hands on art workshop where they learned a positive strategy for stress management.  The project then connected to future opportunities in business development.  Students engaged in dialogue and demonstrated communication skills.  Students  applied positive employability skills and learned the importance of them in all areas of the workforce today."