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. What does the CAN say about youth workforce development ?

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. JAG students learned competencies in the areas of 21st 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 21st 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 25 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.

Fifty students participated in the program throughout the course of the school year, of which 42 completed the evaluation survey. Include number of volunteers.

Of the 42 students surveyed, 51% applied for a job in the last 12 months and 41% are currently employed. Evaluation results showed that 11 of the 15 (73%) that are currently employed used interview skills learned in the JAG/4-H program. Among all survey respondents, 73% reported that interview behavior and communication skills were the most useful skills that they learned, and 97% reported that they felt more equipped to become employed by participating in this program. Volunteer evaluation results showed they also view interview behavior as the most important skill (71%). All volunteers (100%) agree that the JAG/4-H Mock Interview Program prepares students for real life interviews and JAG Program is a valuable resource for students. 

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.