Benefits of the West Virginia School for the Deaf horticulture program to past graduates, 1984--1997

The purpose of the study was to assess the WVSD horticulture program in relation to the value of the technical and leadership skills it imparts as perceived by past WVSD horticultural graduates. The study focused on three questions related to the employability of the 41 graduates of the years 1984--1997 and their use of the skills learned through the horticulture program and FFA organization. Data were obtained from 29 of the 41 graduates through mail questionnaires and personal interviews. As a result of this study the following items of importance were found: 69% of the graduates were presently employed, another 14% were in school, and 41.4% had attended or were attending technical school or college. Of those employed, 55% were working in horticultural related occupations, and 76% had obtained employment within one year of graduation. The primary horticulture and agricultural mechanics skills used by respondents both in their jobs and personal lives were cleaning buildings, grounds maintenance, using tools, building skills, and tractor and machinery maintenance. The primary FFA/Leadership skills used by respondents both in their jobs and personal lives were public speaking and leadership. It was recommended that building and grounds maintenance skills be emphasized in the course of study, that program offerings be made more attractive to female students, and that employer satisfaction with graduates be determined.