The following was shared with Extension Directors to help identify Extension workforce development contacts at each institution: The Extension Committee on Organization and Policy (ECOP) Workforce Development Program Action Team (PAT), in partnership with the Extension Foundation, is in the process of developing an Extension network for workforce development. Key to this effort is identifying a point of contact at each land-grant university to learn about Extension's workforce development...

The ECOP Workforce and Economic Development Program Action Team, led by Dr. Ivory Lyles, Oregon State University, continues to invite Directors, Specialists and Partners to be part of the Workforce and Economic Development Program Action Team. The PAT is continuing to develop their strategic planning and structure process and invites leaders to continue to participate in this development. Once the structure is agreed upon, priorities will be identified, and Implementation Teams will coalesce...

The U.S. Department of Labor announced the availability of $15 million in grant funding to support programs that help youth – particularly those in rural areas, people of color and people with disabilities – to overcome obstacles to educational and workforce success with training and career guidance. See the news release here: US Department of Labor announces $15M funding availability to help youth, young adults prepare for college, career success | U.S. Department of Labor (dol.gov) and...

I agree that key to this effort is identifying a point of contact at each land-grant university to learn about Extension's workforce development efforts across the country. This effort will help guide the work of the PAT and pizza tower , will be shared with Extension directors through a report, and will be communicated with USDA

A recent infographic released by the Council of Post-Secondary Education In Kentucky indicates that the majority of Generation Z feels pressured to pursue a traditional four-year degree and would rather explore other educational options that allow them to learn skills over a lifetime rather than all at once. For those staff and faculty in traditional higher education, this begs the question as to the role that these individuals should have in supporting and developing these alternatives. For...

The Extension Foundation, in partnership with the ECOP Workforce Development Program Action Team, is seeking dynamic, collaborative individuals to help lead the AgriProspects Workforce Development Network . AgriProspects , supported through a USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture AFRI Education and Workforce Development Competitive Grant 2023-67037-40533, establishes a National Working Group supported by six Regional Working Groups focused on growing and refining the national...

Microcredentials, stackable credentials, certification, and badging are just a few of the names for alternative training and credits that focus on providing needed skills to students and workers. As our system continues to evolve the understanding of the importance of these types of programs in both the workforce and academic sectors, there is an opportunity for the Cooperative Extension Service (CES) to leverage their connections with communities and the Land-Grant University System. With a...

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The AgriProspects Workforce Development Network, a collaborative effort of the Extension Foundation (EXF), the Extension Committee on Organization and Policy (ECOP) Economic & Workforce Development Program Action Team (Workforce PAT) and USDA-NIFA, aims to bolster the Extension system’s capacity to meet the evolving workforce demands within the food and agriculture sector. To further its mission, AgriProspects is seeking proposals for Round 1 of its Mini-grant Program. Round 1...

Right on! Yes, we see the need in our rural region for support, and with the networks and grant development from Extension and 4-H, we are supporting CTE in schools in Wahkiakum County, Washington. We partner with schools and industry to create in-school learning opportunities with career exploration in advanced manufacturing, maritime and IT, K-12.

July 31st marks the deadline to submit an application for the AgriProspects mini-grants supporting adult ag workforce development projects. A home stretch update and Q&A session is scheduled for July 17th at 4pm ET. Register for the session using the link below: https://agriprospects.extension.org/events/july-2024-update/ We are also wrapping up our regional office hours for the grant. While marked as regional, anyone can attend any session that fits their schedule. The following office...