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Practical Skills...

At one time, young people learned these skills at home, on a part time job, in Scouting, or from friends.

Ask yourself ... does the young person in your life know:

• Financial Basics - credit, accounts, value, saving, investing, insurance
• Etiquette Basics - write a letter, table manners, phone and personal greetings
• When NOT to use technology
• Hand tool use - household repairs and understanding vehicle maintenance
• Cook without a microwave
• Do laundry, sew on a button, iron a shirt, proper house cleaning
• Outdoor skills - self reliance, build a fire, plant a garden
• Emergency Preparedness - including first aid and situational awareness
• Take care of younger children - babysit
• Leadership and teaching skills
• How to be respectful and thankful

Some great resources:

54 Things Everyone Needs to Know How to Do

50 Things Everyone Should Know How to Do

And Yet Another... (We have a much needed mission)

Did you know...

A 2014 survey of 2000 14-25 year olds and 500 HR decision makers by LifeSkills – a program sponsored by Barclays Bank - concluded that:

…  of over 2,000 14-25 year olds, more than half of those surveyed felt they lacked the necessary practical skills to obtain an entry level job. 

Imagine sending your teenager, with their current set of skills, off into the world to set up a household and operate well in society on their own.  Do you have complete confidence that they truly know these skills?

We are volunteers who know the great need for these skills from our work with youth.  All of us have work and family commitments - we want to offer these courses in the evenings and on weekends.  We are currently developing curriculum - if you live in the Dayton, OH area, please let us know if you have an interest in enrolling your 14 to 20 year old in our courses when they are available. 

We also plan to create videos that highlight these skills, and course outlines for organizations outside our area.

Contact:

Jim Cunningham

jim@practicalskills.org