We can no longer expect to have one job, work for a single employer, or use the same skills or knowledge throughout one’s working lifetime. Today’s work environment requires continuous training and lifelong learning skills to survive. To remain employed throughout one’s lifetime, individuals will need to learn essential life skills, such as problem solving, communication, relating with others, managing resources, and using information and technology.

Although every person will experience the effects of the changing demands of the workplace, Pennsylvania has unique challenges. Over the next 25 years, Pennsylvania will witness the steady loss of its youth. Current projections indicate that about 10 percent of today’s rural youth are likely to leave the state, draining rural areas of workers, community volunteers, and economic support.

Young people matriculating in schools will require career education and life skills in addition to formal education. Collaborations are required to reach youth through nonformal educational programs. The goal is to prepare youth to successfully transition to work, experience job satisfaction, and be prepared for job flexibility.

Pennsylvania’s rural counties are not only experiencing the out migration of youth but also increasing unemployment and underemployment of working-aged adults. The strong link between employment hardship and poverty can be evidence in many of Pennsylvania’s rural counties. Unemployment is a critical issue for Pennsylvania’s rural and metropolitan families.

As the level of government support for agricultural commodities continues to decline, rural communities will change as many agricultural producers leave farming for other types of employment. Agricultural producers and businesses may change enterprises to reflect changing consumer and world demands. To successfully navigate these transitions, educational training is needed.

Today, more than 80 percent of U.S. farmers are dependent on nearly 90 percent of their income from off-farm employment. As the agricultural community faces the changing demand of remaining in business today coupled with the graying of Pennsylvania’s farm operators, agriculture as a vocation is taking on a new face and new demands. Assisting the agriculture community in shaping the agricultural workplace of the future will impact Pennsylvania’s agricultural viability.

The focus of this Plan of Work is to assist in preparing a workforce comprised of motivated individuals who can successfully navigate employment transitions throughout their life span by continually renewing their knowledge and skills to remain productive and effective in the workplace. Pennsylvania Cooperative Extension’s contribution to workforce preparation is to partner with local, state, and federal agencies, schools, community groups, labor, employers, and others, to further the workforce development of youth and adults.

SUB POW: 5.C.1 Youth Career Exploration

Objective: 5.C.1.1. Participants in educational programs will explore a broad range of career options available to men and women without discrimination based on gender, race or other stereotypes.

Objective: 5.C.1. 2. Participants in educational programs will increase their use of life skills (problem solving, communication, relating with others, managing resources and using information and technology) that contribute to their future success in the workplace.

Objective: 5.C.1.3. Participants in educational programs will recognize the value of volunteer and non paid work in contributing to their career skill inventory.

Objective: 5.C.1.4. Participants in educational programs will increase their knowledge of the number of careers available in the food and fiber system.

Objective: 5.C.1.5. Participants in educational programs will increase their knowledge of appropriate communication skills, resume writing, application completion, and interviewing to enhance workforce placement.

Objective: 5.C.1.6. Participants in Mini-Society programs will increase their knowledge of how the economy functions and entrepreneurs operate businesses.

SUB POW: 5.C.2. Adult Work Transitions

Objective: 5.C.2.1. Participants in educational programs will increase their use of life skills (problem solving, communication, relating with others, managing resources and using information and technology) that contribute to their success in the workplace.

Objective: 5.C.2.2. Participants in educational programs will increase their knowledge of communication skills, resume writing, application completion, and interviewing to enhance workforce placement.

Objective: 5.C.2.3. Participants in educational programs will increase personal and family coping strategies to adjust to losing employment or decreasing income.

Objective: 5.C.2. 4. Participants of community-based programs will identify and resolve barriers to local employment issues.