Preparing youth to be part of a cultural competent workforce

D'Ann Rohrer, Michigan State University Extension - November 14, 2017

Cultural competence, the ability to interact effectively with people of different cultures, helps to ensure the needs of all community members are addressed.

Chinese tea ceremony demonstration for youth during the Chinese Language and Cultures session at 4-H Exploration Days. All photos by D’Ann Rohrer, MSU Extension.

In this millennium, supervisors increasingly understand and appreciate cultural diversity. They are looking for employees who have had diverse experiences. If you are raising a child, how are they being prepared for the culturally diverse world and level of cultural competency employers are looking for? Michigan 4-H Global and Cultural Education is one way to prepare all youth for the workforce, today and in the future.

Interacting effectively with people of different cultures requires careful study of differences in behavioral expectations. When we talk about differences between cultures, we are speaking in general terms since all cultures vary in behaviors. Cultures affect the way people act and what they expect from others. Getting work done with and through other people will require an understanding of differences among national cultures. Students in culturally diverse communities and schools are already starting to develop strategies to be productive.

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