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August 2007: Workforce Preparation
Due to changing career options, it is vital in today’s economy for youth to be prepared to enter the workforce. These CYFERnet resources describe workforce preparation and provide information about developing workforce preparation programs.
General Information and Research on Workforce Preparation
Workforce Preparation 
The term “workforce preparation” has been used—along with other terms such as career development, school-to-work development and youth transitions—to describe the network of programs dedicated to helping young people acquire basic skills, explore career opportunities and gain experience within the workforce. From Building Partnerships for Youth (national 4-H Council and the University of Arizona).
Addressing the Work Force Challenge
This bulletin summarizes new research about the nature of the youth development workforce and offers an action agenda to move the field forward. From the Next Generation Youth Work Coalition.
Ready for Work: Action Brief #2
This issue brief is the second in a series that shares the vision, messages and state policies being proposed to improve the work readiness of youth. Developed by the Forum for Youth Investment, Connect for Kids, Voices for America’s Children and several states’ Kids Count organizations.
Ready=Ready=Ready
Karen Pittman discusses recent findings that show the skills young people need for life beyond high school may be the same whether they are headed to college or the work force. From the Forum for Youth Investment.
Research fACTs and Findings: Promoting Youth Development in Workplaces
Working is part of life for most youth, not just something they are preparing to undertake as adults. The “transition from school to work” is not a one-time step. Rather, school and work are likely to be combined in various proportions over a decade or more. Adults must recognize the place of work in young people’s lives and help them make good decisions about work. From Act for Youth Upstate Center of Excellence.
Workforce Preparation Programs and Curricula
Workforce Preparation Curriculum Database
A database that provides information about workforce preparation from the North Central Regional Center for Rural Development.
Youth to Work: Career Development
The Cornell Youth and Work program carries out research and outreach to foster the transition of youth to adulthood. On this site, you’ll find tools and publications to enhance work and service opportunities for youth.
Finding Resources to Support Workforce Development Services for Youth
This Finance Project report provides resources and funding strategies that target youth development. Includes information on the Workforce Investment Act, Job Corps, Learn and Serve America, tax credits to encourage employer participation, and much more.
Supporting Youth Employment: A Guide for Community Groups
Although public money is available for education, job training and youth programs throughout the nation, many young people in low-income communities do not acquire the skills and credentials necessary to get high paying jobs. This guide from Public/Private Ventures is geared for parents, youth workers, educators and young people who are concerned about the issue and want to take action. It also offers info on how to recognize effective programs, activities and support systems for vulnerable youth.
Seeds to Success Youth Farmstand Project
Seeds to Success, an entrepreneurial and life skills training program, prepares at-risk 14-18 year-olds for the workforce. The program objectives are to teach special needs youth how to select and prepare locally grown fruits and vegetables for use in meal preparation; how to handle money and banking procedures; and to provide them opportunities to acquire workforce readiness and business skills by selling produce at a youth-run farmstand during summer months. From Rutgers Cooperative Research and Extension of Gloucester County, New Jersey.
Tackling the Tough Skills™: A Curriculum Building Skills for Work and Life [LG&E button]
Tackling the Tough Skills is a fun, innovative and highly interactive life skills curriculum that helps hard-to-reach adults or teens prepare for success in work and life. The curriculum is designed to help individuals transition from welfare to work, and easily adaptable to a wide range of audiences including adults and teens. From the University of Missouri Extension.
Big Red Summer Career Development Camps
Big Red Summer Camps are week-long residential experiences that offer hands-on opportunities in specific career fields. In addition to classroom learning, participants take field trips to job sites, visit with professionals in chosen fields of study, participate in campus tours and learn how their interest area relates to higher education and a potential career. From the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension.
Career Awareness for Business and Industry
This is a program overview for Career Awareness for Business and Industry, an educational program that teaches junior high and senior high school students how to realistically plan and prepare for future careers. From Alabama Cooperative Extension.
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