Animal Science Experts’ Opinions on the Non-Technical Skills Secondary Agricultural Education Graduates Need for Employment in the Animal Science Industry: A Delphi Study

Non-technical, employability skills are in high demand for entry-level job-seekers. As such, this study sought to describe the perceptions of Oklahoma’s animal science industry leaders as it related to the employability skills needed for entry-level employment of high school graduates who had completed coursework in Oklahoma’s Agricultural, Food and Natural Resources, animal systems pathway. In all, 33 non-technical statements describing skills which students need to be employable were generated from the panel of experts. All 33 reached consensus in Round Two of the study. Panelists agreed unanimously that being honest was the most important non-technical skill for a potential employee to possess. Because all 33 skills reached agreement, it is recommended that secondary agricultural education instructors integrate all 33 into their existing curriculum whenever appropriate to increase human capital holding value related to the entry-level employment of high school graduates.