Kathleen Brown
University of Illinois Extension
Macomb Center
480 S. Deer Rd.
Macomb, IL 61455
(309) 836-2084, (309) 836-2916 fax

Young people represent the future of rural communities, yet many rural communities struggle with how to promote and retain their local youth. The Area Workforce Investment Board’s Youth Council contracted with the University of Illinois Extension to conduct a county-by-county survey mapping workforce related programs and services available to the area’s youth. The survey was designed to identify the many different service providers and the types of programs offered for youth ages 14 –21. The study captured descriptions of programs that help youth develop skills that can be applied in the workplace and/or further their career exploration process. More than 400 different programs in the nine county region have been identified.

County meetings will be held during the fall of 2004 to review survey findings. Each county will identify gaps in current programming efforts and develop action plans that will enhance youth workforce development efforts. Unique aspects of this project include the Web based survey collection tools, partnership of University of Illinois Extension and Workforce Investment Board; and inclusion of agencies, organizations, business leaders and schools in needs assessment and planning process.

The main goal of this project is to support the continued economic vitality of the region by building a workforce system that prepares people for well-paying jobs with a future and meets skilled workforce needs of area’s business and industry.