WORKFORCE PREPARATION INITIATIVE

Our conception of workforce preparation programs is not simply on getting a job, nor is the focus to prepare youth for specific jobs. Rather, through intentional cross-programmatic efforts, professionals can create authentic learning experiences for youth that complement the formal education system and facilitate the development of skills necessary for success in the 21st century. Workforce preparation strategies must build on an early foundation of knowledge, skills, attitudes, and experiences to most effectively achieve long-term results.

The goals of workforce preparation programs are to introduce young people to the world of workand to develop the workforce skills necessary for success through active participation in learning experiences. This initiative encompasses professionals from all programmatic fields to reach youth and to educate adults to better impact youth in the 21^st Century.

      Goals

      1. Provide a framework to guide resource investment and workforce preparation program direction.

      2. Develop marketing tools and strategies to increase awareness and promote workforce preparation
          program partnership linkage.

      3. Develop and disseminate programming models, curriculum, and resource to improve and expand
          workforce preparation programming.

      4. Conduct workforce preparation training with Extension professionals.

      5. Create evaluation tools and strategies to better document and share results.

      6. Secure funding to support workforce preparation programming

Blended e-Learning: Fall 2008

Call for Applications:  Workforce preparation in the knowledge economy

Invitation

Interested in learning more about the Knowledge Economy and how you can integrate its key concepts into your existing programming?

Think the Knowledge Economy is only about economic development?

Would you like to gain first-hand experience with cutting edge program delivery tools like podcasts, blogs and other distance learning tools?

Did you miss past  Blended e-Learning opportunities but have been hearing great things?

If you said yes to any of these questions, then you may wish to consider participating. Twenty Extension professionals will be selected this fall to participate in a program to gain knowledge and understanding about the Knowledge Economy.  Course content will be delivered using blended methods over a 8-week span starting October 9, 2008. More, including RFA . . .

Website

The Workforce Preparation Initiative is a multi-programmatic team however the website currently resides on the 4-H website at: http://www.ohio4h.org/workforceprep/

Podcasts

Preparing Youth in a Knowledge Economy –

Audience: Extension Professionals/Volunteers

Content: This enhanced podcast explains the transition from an agrarian economy to a knowledge economy and what this means and how these changes are impacting Extension. It furthers shares how all program areas can be involved in preparing young people for skills needed in the 21^st Century.

(mms://streaming1.osu.edu/ag/miami_county/Preparing_Youth_in_KE.wmv)

Ohio State Fair Workforce Preparation Day –

Audience: Educators/Volunteers/ 4-H Members

Content: These enhanced podcasts help you to advertise Ohio State Fair Workforce Preparation Day! Please note that there have been several changes made to this year’s competition. The most notable is that 4-H’ers need not qualify at the county level, they may register directly, and a county can send as many participants as they would like.
For details on this year’s event: http://www.ohio4h.org/statefair/guidebook.html

(mms://streaming1.osu.edu/ag/miami_county/OhioWorkforcePrepDayAdvertisement.wmv)

Turning 4-H Experience into Work Experience –

Audience: Youth 4-H Members

Content: This is a fun enhanced podcast for showing at workshops, linking on your webpage or showing at club meetings. It helps 4-H members understand how their 4-H experience is actually valuable work experience. It helps them to identify skills they may have that they can market to a new employer whether through their resume or an interview.

(mms://streaming1.osu.edu/ag/miami_county/Workforce_Prep.wmv)

Skills Needed in the 21st Century –

Audience: Educators/Volunteers/4-H Members

Content: This enhanced podcast is great for running while participants in a program are entering and waiting to start. It highlights some of the key skills needed for youth to be successful in the knowledge economy.

(mms://streaming1.osu.edu/ag/miami_county/21st_Century_Skill.wmv)