Strengthening Our Partnering Efforts to Aid Rural, Low-Income Families by Listening to Employer Experiences

Key Points

• The research aims to understand rural employers' needs and perceptions regarding low-income job applicants.
• Conducted interviews with rural employers at two separate points in time.
• Examined employer attitudes towards hiring practices and experiences with workforce development organizations.
• Analyzed feedback on the preparedness of employees with limited resources.
• Employers consistently noted that low-income applicants often lack preparation for the workforce.
• Identified key characteristics valued by employers included work ethic, attendance, attitude, and appearance.
• Collaboration between employers, social service agencies, and Extension can lead to more effective training programs.