RACINE COUNTY - "Soft skills" and job experience were paramount for those who constructed the E3 job training program.

The first two weeks consisted of training the youths, with a hard focus on "soft" skills such as workplace etiquette and teamwork.

"Every entry-level employer tells us the most important thing is soft skills," said Mark Gesner, Racine County Workforce Development Center youth team leader.

The multifaceted training included financial literacy instruction, problem-solving of business challenges, and learning about business plans.

Then the youths broke into teams and went to the roughly 40 job sites to tackle specific projects.

n Some did a roof-top garden and recycling program at the Urban League of Racine and Kenosha.

n Some learned about invasive plants and removed them from Racine parks and River Bend Nature Center grounds.

n Some created a recycling program and curriculum for the Burlington Area School District.

n Some planted gardens including a Shakespeare Garden at the Racine Literacy Council. They learned about Shakespeare and put in plants taken from his passages, including thyme, carnations, poppies, chamomile - and, of course, roses.

n Some built an enclosed aqua-hydroponics system, or fish farm, at Walden III middle and high schools.

n Some installed downspout extensions on homes in Racine's Riverview area to help homeowners avoid water damage and lessen the impact on the storm sewers. E3 Project Manager Stephen Smiley said the youths installed more than 400 extensions on more than 100 houses.

To evaluate the return on investment for the employers involved, E3 youths have been surveying all of them. What are they saying?

"They're saving lots of money," said Dominique Lambright, 16, one of the survey-takers. "It would cost a lot more if they had to hire professionals."

Her survey partner, Reyna Guzman, 17, said the employers will save greatly on energy costs. For example, classrooms have been painted lighter colors to reduce lighting bills.

"We learn a lot from going to the sites," Lambright said.