Vocational Skills
Vocational or “working” skills include marketable skills, teamwork, and self-motivation.
Key research findings
- Participation in youth development organizations and career education programs can significantly improve vocational skills among youth.
- One study demonstrated that participation in a career education class positively influenced career decision-making, self-efficacy, and vocational skills such as completing a job application correctly among high school students.
Promising practices
- 4-H is a positive youth development organization that provides hands-on learning opportunities for youth in three areas (science, citizenship, and healthy living) that serve to promote the development of life skills.
- The Summer Training and Education Program (STEP) is a program designed to prevent risky behavior and reduce academic losses over the summer among disadvantaged adolescents.
- A study found that program participants demonstrated increases in academics (both reading and math) and contraceptive knowledge immediately following the program; yet, in the long-term many positive effects faded. No link available.
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This short quiz will help you gain an understanding of your child’s development
as it relates to our whole child education model.