What is Workforce Development?
Individuals need soft skills to succeed in the workforce, better meet the needs of a particular job, and advance in their careers. Employers today say the workforce has a problematic soft skills gap, with many missing important soft skills, including good communication, teamwork, decision-making, problem-solving, leadership, and conflict resolution. (Cobo,2013; Robles,2012; Zhang,2012)
Workforce development addresses the softskill gaps among youth and adults to help gain confidence to apply for their first job, advance in the workplace, improve relationships, and set career goals. These educational programs and workshops combine softskills with employability training in public speaking, identifying personality strengths, teamwork, leadership, collaboration, problem-solving, interviewing techniques/strategies, resume writing, career exploration, and planning.
Programs:
- Career Edge: Teens Taking Charge of Their Future. A workforce readiness program offers young people the opportunity to learn and practice essential soft skills as they prepare to enter the workforce. for (ages 14 to 19) and is appropriate for both in-school and out-of-school environments, and is adaptable for young adults looking to re-enter the workplace. The program is typically delivered twice weekly, over six to eight weeks.
- Exploring Your True Colors: Building an Effective Team: Offers engaging activities, such as personality assessment, Extension's outdoor team development course, portable team building activities, and an Escape Room, that foster personal and professional growth, strengthening leadership, trust, communication, and teamwork. (ages 14 & up).
- Mini Society: Youth Entrepreneurship: Offers a direct approach to teaching children (ages10-12) how to turn their ideas into small businesses, helping them prepare for real-world careers.
- Military 4-H: Connecting Military youth and families to 4-H. The University of Nevada, Reno, Extension's 4-H positive youth development outreach program prepares Military-connected youth (ages 6-19) to explore their interests, develop essential life skills, and grow into leaders.
