Gretchen Pettet East Central College, Center for Workforce Development Mapping the route to workforce competitiveness in Franklin County

Missouri’s Certified Work Ready Communities By strengthening our local workforce Franklin County can prosper and grow!

Recap of National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC) Overview of Certified Work Ready Communities Next Steps Wrap Up Agenda

Recap of National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC)

Evidence-based Industry-recognized Portable Certifies essential skills important for workplace success Awarded at four levels:  Bronze  Silver  Gold  Platinum The NCRC is a credential that is:

NCRC Documents these Skills... Reading for Information Measures skill used when reading written text Applied Mathematics Measures skill in applying mathematical reasoning, critical thinking and problem- solving techniques Locating Information Measures skill in working with workplace graphics to find and analyze information

Certificates are awarded by achieving a minimum Level 3 score on all assessments Level 4 score on all assessments Level 5 score on all assessments Level 6 score on all assessments Skill levels demonstrate ability for* 16% of jobs 67% of jobs 93% of jobs 99% of jobs Sample Occupation Correlation Auto Body Repair Technician Veterinary Assistant Janitorial Supervisor Drywall Installer Pharmacy Aid Administrative Manager Head Cook Medical Assistant Engineering Technician Machinist School Counselor Pharmacy Technician Semi-Conductor Processor Business Executive Electrician Accountant Technical Writer Sales Manager Registered Nurse Manager Elevator Installer and Repairer Certificate Levels

Benefits to Employers Demonstrate skills of the job seeker Reduces time and hiring cost Reduces turnover Reduces training time Improves quality of new hires Increases productivity

Testing Availability East Central College (Career/Technical Ed) MO Manufacturing Wins MO Health Wins East Central Missouri Consortium Career Preparation Certificate Four Rivers Area Career Center Missouri Career Centers Free of charge for all job seekers who register Employers Requiring CG Power Systems, Washington American Plastics, Union Graphic Packaging, Pacific What’s currently in place?

Overview of Certified Work Ready Communities

What is the Certified Work Ready Community Initiative? An initiative to develop a protocol to promote the WorkKeys system as a valuable tool for evaluation of the local workforce. By utilizing the NCRC, Franklin County will be able to attract, retain and develop a workforce with the education and foundational skills to succeed in the 21 st century. Links workforce development to education Matches individuals to jobs based on skill level Aligns with the economic development needs of communities, regions and states

Achievement of Certified Work Ready Community status recognizes that: A county can provide and deliver a quality workforce with the skills employers need to be “work ready” Goals have been met for individuals in the local workforce earning a National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC) Goals have been met for local business engagement- either recognizing, preferring or recommending the NCRC What does it mean?

Economic Developers and Community Leaders Can quantify the skill level of their workforce for attracting new business ventures or “growing” their own Business and Industry Can quickly identify, hire and skill up a workforce to enhance productivity and over all increase ROI Individuals Can quantify and demonstrate to current and future employers how they meet a company position Educators Measure skill gaps of students and build career pathways that benefit both individuals and business What’s in this for Key Stakeholders?

The Certified Work Ready Community is a voluntary initiative guided by key community leaders in our county. How does It Work in each County?

Franklin County’s Leadership Team RoleOrganizationNameCommunity Local BusinessHennigesKevin CarpenterNew Haven American PlasticsFred MartelsUnion CG PowersBrandy HagedornWashington Economic DevelopmentCity of Washington*Darren LambWashington City of Union*Joey GravesUnion City of SullivanJ.T. HardySullivan City of New HavenSteve RothNew Haven Chambers of CommerceSt. Clair ChamberAngela CrawfordSt. Clair Pacific ChamberFran KopskyPacific K-12 EducationUnion School DistrictSteve BryantUnion Four Rivers*Andy RobisonWashington Local Elected OfficialsFranklin CountyJohn GrieseheimerFranklin County Workforce Investment BoardGH ToolJulie ScannellWashington WIB DirectorShirley WilsonCounty DWD*Donna MantleCounty Community CollegeEast Central College*Gretchen PettetUnion East Central CollegeDr. Jon Bauer

Next Steps

Develop a protocol to promote the WorkKeys system as a valuable tool for evaluation of local workforce Enroll businesses in county to promote/use NCRC Employer partnership letters Encourage recognition of/enthusiasm for Certified Work Ready Communities with entire community by explaining benefits for individuals, businesses, and state Leadership Team

Each county has goals for the # of NCRC’s achieved/awarded. Franklin County’s Goals are: National Career Readiness Goals WorkforceGoals11/1/12Current Emerging (those preparing to graduate) Current (those currently employed) Transitioning (those seeking new employment) TOTALS

Tracking our progress

Employer Engagement is Key “Business supporting” means a company is agreeing to recognize, prefer or recommend the NCRC in hiring Obtain signed Partnership Letters from supporting businesses -- company name will be listed on CWRC state site and ACT national site Goals are based on county size and 2010 census information

Partnership Letter Fillable PDF form Available online or from a member of the leadership team

Employer Engagement

American Plastics Group CG Power Systems USA, Inc. G.H. Tool & Mold, Inc. Intek Corporation PLZ Aeroscience Corporation Town & Country Metals Henniges Automotive St. Clair Chamber of Commerce Franklin County East Central College Innovative Machine & Tool, Inc. Current Franklin County Employer Supporters Hellebush Tool & Die Advanced Sight Center Frick’s Quality Meats Enduro Binders, Inc. Manpower, Inc. Washington Area Chamber of Commerce Ace Manufacturing Meramec Group Metalcraft Enterprises

Washington City Council East Central College Board of Trustees Union Development Corporation Jeff/Frank Workforce Investment Board Washington Civic Industrial Corporation Washington Chamber of Commerce Union R-XI School District Other Franklin County Supporters

Endorsing the CWRC Missouri Economic Development Council State Chamber of Commerce and Industry Associated Industries of Missouri-AIM

Endorsing the CWRC Missouri School Boards Association Missouri Community College Association Missouri Workforce Investment Board (MoWIB)

Platform for Regional Cooperation and Economic Competitiveness Strengthen/expand existing businesses Retain businesses and attract new business Close skill gaps by qualifying our workforce Keep our young people in Missouri Why This is Important

As a group, pass a resolution or motion of your support Sign a partnership letter on behalf of your business or organization Consider preferring the NCRC when you hire Schedule an appointment to learn more At the very least recognize and acknowledge if an applicant says they have their NCRC. What can you do?

Wrap Up

ded.mo.gov/getcertified

Gretchen Pettet, East Central College, Center for Workforce Development Mapping your route to workforce competitiveness For Additional Information