Coming this September 9, 2025! AI Podcast Entrepreneurship Training

THE PROBLEM

We've identified problems of paramount importance

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While Education is Important, Not All Education is Equal

The workplace skills gap is a growing concern.

Between 40% and 60% of U.S. high school students are unmotivated to learn— a crisis that starts long before graduation.

Student disengagement is a nationwide crisis. Over ten years ago, the National Research Council revealed that nearly

half of U.S. high school students had checked out of learning. Since then, studies show the problem runs even

deeper — motivation declines at every stage, starting in elementary school and continuing until students either

graduate or drop out.

Search Institute - Solving Americas Academic Crisis

Up to one-third of young professionals enter the workforce lacking core 'Essential Skills' — a gap that can stall careers before they even begin.

The workplace skills gap is an urgent challenge. In 2016, KC Rising found that employers struggle to find candidates

with strong ‘Essential Skills’ like communication, collaboration, and critical thinking. By 2020, young professionals

admitted they were underprepared in every category — a gap that ranges from 18% to 33% and often begins long

before their first job. One college graduate recalled floundering during their first year on the job, unprepared for

the independence and problem-solving required after years of being told exactly what to do.

DeBruce Foundation Essential Skills Report

NEXT STEPS

PART I - Introduction to ReachBack 5-2-1 Initiative

1-hour video conference web presentation

PART II - THE ASK - Agency Partnership & Outreach Strategy

1-hour video conference web presentation on the strategy and outreach plan for the community to implement the ReachBack Strategy. Examples of projects and outcomes.

PART III - ReachBack Strategy

Your team is invited to review the benchmarks and strategies, then make selections on how your ReachBack program will be executed and its impact goals. The memorandum of understanding would be reviewed and completed. This can take up to 3 to 6 weeks depending on your dedicated staff's time.