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EMPLOYABILITY
GROWING CHALLENGE
Despite reports from the U.S.
Bureau of Labor Statistics that the projected number of people working or
looking for work will be 163.8 million by 2024, the ManpowerGroup’s latest Talent Shortage Survey
indicates that 32 percent of U.S. employers report difficulties filling
jobs. Ready by 21,
an initiative of the Forum for Youth Investment, states that only 4 out of 10 youth are ready for
employment, and 2 in 10 youth are deeply underprepared or off track. The
Campaign
for Youth estimates that 5.25 million young people ages 16-24 are not
involved in an academic program nor involved in the workforce. This accounts
for nearly one-third of those unemployed in the United States.
EMPLOYABILITY
It is absolutely critical that youth have the knowledge and
skills to be employed and can productively contribute to their community. Employability
has been defined as the capability of getting and keeping satisfactory work.
Yet, it is more than just getting a job. Employability is the capacity to
function successfully in a work environment, the ability to transition between
roles and situations, and to continually grow these capacities and abilities
throughout one’s life.
EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS FRAMEWORK
Through led by an initiative of the Office of Career,
Technical, and Adult Education, U.S. Department of Education, a unifying
framework that cuts across the workforce development and education sectors was
developed. The framework
is comprised of nine key skills is organized into three broad categories.
- Applied Knowledge – The thoughtful integration
of academic knowledge and technical skills, put to practice for use in the
workplace.
- Effective Relationships – The interpersonal
skills and personal qualities that enable individuals to interact effectively
with others.
- Workplace Skills – The analytical and
organizational skills and understanding that are needed to successfully perform
work tasks.
This framework, designed as a one-stop-shop for
employability information, includes a checklist
for youth and adults to track the development of employability skills.
THE 4-H SOLUTION
As a positive youth development program, 4-H
offers youth the opportunity to experience and practice employability skills.
Positive youth development (PYD) can be
summed up as positive experiences with positive relationships in positive
environments. This closely correlates with the employability skills framework
and demonstrates the importance 4-H can have in addressing the need for youth
to be prepared for employment. Through 4-H, youth can engage in a wide variety
of intentional learning experiences, develop strong relationships and support
networks, build a portfolio of transferrable skills, and prepare for lifelong
employability success.
EXAMPLE EMPLOYABILITY
PREPARATION PROGRAMS
Michigan 4-H.
Youth entrepreneurship gives young people the opportunity to chart their own
destinies. Even if they don’t start a business, youth involved in
entrepreneurship programs gain skills and become more innovative and effective
employees. MSU Extension provides cutting-edge curriculum and training to
volunteers and teachers to deliver programs where youth can develop these
important skills.
Nebraska 4-H.
Career Explorer helps youth connect the dots between choices made every day and
the opportunities in the future. In this interactive game, youth make ongoing
decisions about education and future career opportunities. Youth are able to
enter the workforce, get additional education, or explore training programs. There
is access to more than 450 careers with up-to-date salary information and
summaries for each.
New York 4-H.
Career Explorations is a three-day event for youth on the Cornell
University campus. The purpose of this program is to provide youth with
exposure to academic fields and career exploration, to develop leadership
skills, to provide hands-on experience in a college setting and to introduce
youth to Cornell University.
CALL TO ACTION
The economic future of the United States depends
on the next generation of young Americans becoming ready for work and life. Experiences in 4-H are designed for social
interaction, to connect to larger, real world contexts. This approach ensures
that youth have the knowledge and skills to be employed and can productively
contribute to their community. Let’s tell the story of how 4-H prepares youth
for employability together. Send your 4-H employability success stories to ImpactStories@nifa.usda.gov or #NIFAimpacts.
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