2.  Ask the students to explain the importance of work. Name an agriculture/horticulture occupation found in the local area, such as floral designer or corn grower. Have students make a list of the duties that a person in the occupation performs at work. Call on one or more students to give the title of the occupation and the list of “things” that the person does in the occupation. After students have given their lists, ask students how people in the occupations learn how to do these “things.” Ask the students “Why do employers hire employees?” The short answer is “To have workers.” A better answer is “To have people who are capable and can carry out the work that they are to do.” Ask, “Why is it important for an employee to be productive?” Various answers may be given, such as “To keep from getting fired,” “To make more money,” and “To get a good recommendation to move to another job.” The most important reason is to make money for the employer. Without an employee being productive, the employer is not getting return on what the employee is being paid. This may be a difficult point to get across. Ask students to share examples that explain this. To get started, use the example of two floral designers (named Sally and Jennifer) who work at the same flower shop. Sally makes five arrangements each hour; Jennifer makes three each hour. Which designer is most valuable to the employer? Why?”

3.  Instruction in this lesson should result in students achieving the following objectives: › 1 Explain the personal attributes needed for career success. › 2 List worker related reasons that can lead to losing a job. › 3 Distinguish between technical competencies, employability competencies, and related academic competencies. › 4 Describe the importance of occupational preparation.

4.  The following terms are presented in this lesson (shown in bold italics): › attitude › dependability › employability competencies › general education › honesty › human relations skills › initiative › loyalty › occupation description › occupational competency › occupational preparation › personal attribute › related academic competencies › skill › technical competencies

5.  Explain the personal attributes needed for career success. › Anticipated Problem: What personal attributes are needed for career success?  I. A personal attribute is a quality or trait of an individual.

6.  A. Personal attributes are developed as individuals grow from infant to child to adult.  1. Personal attributes are learned from the environment in which a person lives.  2. Personal attributes can be developed as related to career success.  3. Personal attributes may be difficult to change once developed but through conscientious effort, changes can be made.  4. It is wise to make “success-oriented” qualities a routine part of daily living.

7.  B. Career success involves important personal attributes.  1. Good work attitude— Attitude is how a person mentally feels about something. Attitudes are kept internally but are evident by how we relate to people, go about work, use resources, and view work. Attitudes are demonstrated by smiles, friendliness, honesty, and productivity at work. People are said to have “good attitudes” or “bad attitudes.” A good attitude toward work results in a happier person. Work attitude may be evident as cheerfulness, enthusiasm, and when a person gets to work and stays on the task at hand.

8.  2. Dependability— Dependability means that a person is always present for work on time and does the job as it should be done. Dependability includes reliability and having prompt attendance at work.  3. Cooperation—A person needs to work well with others, including both the “boss” and coworkers; this helps the employer achieve the desired goals.

9.  4. Initiative— Initiative means that a person has the energy and puts forth the effort to get a job done without a lot of supervision and seeks new ways to efficiently be productive. It often includes going beyond the routine to get a job done.  5. Follow instructions—Following instructions involves listening, assessing understanding and getting clarification, and doing what is needed. Always do a job the way you are told to do it!  6. Loyalty— Loyalty is being faithful to the employer and coworkers. Refrain from criticizing the employer and coworkers.

10.  7. Pride in work—A successful worker is proud of the work done and exhibits this pride in efficiency and quality as well as in communications with other people.  8. Honesty— Honesty includes being truthful and fair as well as not stealing or abusing materials and equipment. Dishonesty is not acceptable.  9. Willing to learn—Occupational requirements change and people must enthusiastically learn the new requirements of their work.  10. Life style—How an individual goes about his or her personal life may affect career performance. For example, inadequate rest results in a person being less than his or her best when on the job, and substance abuse inhibits an individual’s ability to perform his or her job.

11.  List worker related reasons that can lead to losing a job. › Anticipated Problem: Why do people lose their jobs?  II. People sometimes lose their jobs because they fail to meet the expectations of the employer.

12.  A. Most people can exhibit the proper behavior in job performance so that they do not lose their jobs. (The terms “discharged,” “terminated,” and “fired” are sometimes used to describe what happens when a person loses a job.)  B. Some reasons why workers lose their jobs include the following:  1. Absence or tardiness from work without cause—If an individual must miss work, he or she should always notify the employer as far ahead of time as possible.  2. Failing to follow rules—Most employers have procedures that workers are to follow and not doing so is grounds for being terminated. Failing to follow safety rules exposes people to hazards that can result in injury or death.

13.  3. Trouble making—Workers who create problems (conflicts) among managers and coworkers cause a less-than- desirable work site and are likely to be terminated. Getting along with other people is essential!  4. Lack of productivity—Workers who fail to do the work needed in their jobs are not being productive. Employers must have productivity from a worker in order to earn money to pay an employee’s wages.

14.  5. Dishonesty and theft—Failure to be honest and/or stealing from the employer often results in swift action to terminate a worker.  6. Harassment and violence— Harassment and violence toward others cannot be tolerated and will result in quick termination as well as possible arrest and legal action.

15.  7. Lack of skill and education— People must have the needed abilities to do the work expected of them. Employers often provide training to help people learn. It is an employee’s responsibility to pay attention and learn the needed skills.  8. Substance abuse—People should not use substances that impair their ability to do their work and lead a healthy life. These substances include drugs, alcohol, and, in some cases, tobacco products.

16. C. Workers have certain rights that protect them from unwarranted termination, with due process being an important procedure to assure that the employees’ rights are protected.

17.  Distinguish between technical competencies, employability competencies, and related academic competencies. › Anticipated Problem: What is the distinction between technical competencies, employability competencies, and related academic competencies?

18.  III. An occupational competency is knowledge, skill, or other attribute needed to enter and be successful in an occupation. They enable an individual to perform the duties of an occupation. Competencies in an occupation tend to be similar regardless of where the occupation is carried out. Occupational competencies may be grouped into three areas: technical competencies, employability competencies, and related academic competencies.

19.  A. Technical competencies involve having the necessary knowledge and skill in science and related areas to do the work in an occupation. Skill is the capacity to perform activities that typically require a high degree of development in manipulative areas, such as the skill to do a bark graft, perform a mathematical calculation, or use a global positioning system. Technical competencies are specific to the particular occupation. For example, a floral designer needs skills that people in other occupations would not need.  1. Technical competency includes all of the identified competencies in the technical areas of the occupation.  2. Mastery of knowledge and skills associated with a career is what makes an individual proficient in performing the work.

20.  B. Employability competencies involve having the necessary capacity to communicate, dress and groom appropriately, use information, provide reports to supervisors, and relate with other people in the work setting. Employability skills relate to being productive on the job. For example, a floral designer must be at work on time, stay on task, and follow the employer’s procedures.  1. Human relations skills or the abilities to get along with other people are an important aspect of employability. They include common courtesies that help people work and live together happily. For example, a floral designer works with other people and must know how to relate to them.  2. Employability competencies can be identified much the same as technical competencies.  3. Employers report that workers are terminated more frequently for lack of employability competencies than for technical or related academic competencies.

21.  C. Related academic competencies involve areas of general education that support and enable a person to perform technical and employability competencies. General education is the preparation an individual needs that is not specific to a particular occupation. General education includes the ability to read, write, do arithmetic, and communicate. For example, a floral designer needs to be able to read, write, do arithmetic, and communicate.  1. Related academic competencies include biological and physical science, mathematics, written and oral communication, and computer skills.  2. These skills are developed throughout the elementary, secondary, and college education of an individual.

22.  D. Determining the competencies required of an occupation begins with an occupation description. An occupation description is a short, written statement that describes the general nature of an occupation. Information in an occupation description guides the listing of competencies. Statements of occupation descriptions are revised as requirements change or new information is gathered.

23.  1. Competencies are written as short statements of the duties performed in an occupation without regard to the specific site where the occupation is carried out.  2. Research has been used to identify important competencies in a wide range of agricultural occupations.  3. Competency studies can be performed by observing and interviewing individuals in an occupation. Lists are made of the major tasks performed, and the lists are reviewed by people who are familiar with the occupation to identify those tasks that are a high priority and those that are not important.

24.  Describe the importance of occupational preparation. › Anticipated Problem: What is the importance of occupational preparation?  IV. Occupational preparation is education and training that develops the capacity to perform an occupation.

25.  A. The preparation will include general education, such as reading, writing, and doing arithmetic.  B. The preparation will include specific training in the occupation or general area of the occupation.  1. The purpose of the specific training is to assure that an individual possesses the needed competencies to begin and advance in an occupation.  2. Individuals must be enrolled in the educational programs that provide the necessary competencies.  3. The amount of preparation needed varies with the requirements of the occupation.

26.  C. Occupational preparation occurs in all levels of education.  1. High schools develop general education competencies and begin the process of occupational preparation through classes in agriculture/horticulture, such as horticulture and animal science.  2. Community colleges offer more advanced skill training in specific occupations, such as landscape maintenance and farm management.

27.  3. Colleges and universities offer baccalaureate degrees in several areas of agriculture/ horticulture, such as agricultural education, horticulture, and animal science.  4. Study at a university or college beyond the baccalaureate level is needed for occupations requiring an intensive and high level of preparation, such as agronomist, horticulturist, or veterinarian.

28.  1. What personal attributes are needed for career success?  2. Why do people lose their jobs?  3. What is the distinction between technical competencies, employability competencies, and related academic competencies?  4. What is the importance of occupational preparation?