Today’s youth will eventually enter the workforce and being prepared for that transition is crucial for their success. Employers are looking for quality applicants, with proper education or training, but also want individuals that have developed various skill sets.   Through all levels of schooling students learn core subjects but they don't necessarily gain the 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, Wayne County 4-H partnered with the JAG (Jobs for America’s Graduates) program at the Wayne County Area Technology Center for a yearlong look at those skills and other skills needed to be successful in the workplace.

Throughout the course of the school year 60, JAG students have been learning competencies in the areas of 21^st century (job) skills, job attainment, career development, and life survival through monthly lessons provided by Wayne Co. Extension Agent for 4-H Youth Development Toni Humble. Lessons from the 21^st Century Skills (Career and Workforce Development) curriculum developed by Kentucky 4-H were used to supplement materials taught by the JAG Instructor, Brenda Hoover.  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 High School can impact career opportunities in the future.  

Career exploration was encouraged, and students drew “road maps” to where they saw themselves in their future careers and the “stops” they would need to make along the way to get there. Some examples of those stops were college or technical school, on-the-job training or other work-ready certifications. Mrs. Hoover provided field trips throughout the year for the students to explore careers in the area that were available.

Over the course of the school year, students created resumes and cover letters that they could use in the future when applying for jobs or scholarships, learned about dressing for success, and resources that could help them look their best on a budget. Resumes were used as they attended a 4-H Mock Interview event at the Wayne County Extension Office. Over 35 community businesses and organizations came together for the daylong event. Students participated in group interviews with local businesses and organizations and saw some potential job opportunities. The event allowed students to practice their interview skills, polish their resumes, get feedback from community partners and get themselves prepared for when they entered the real world.

JAG students were prepared a sit-down meal, treated to a fashion show of what to wear and what not to wear to an interview and different levels of dress appropriate for the workplace by the 4-H Ambassadors, had some fun playing Interview Family Feud and Curious George Interview Jeopardy. Door prizes were provided by the Wayne County 4-H Council.

Evaluation results showed that 99% of the participants felt that this program helped them with their interview skills and 50% of the students had applied for a job over the last 12 months using skills learned in the 4-H and JAG programs.  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.