Ms. Henline, AP Ms. Smith, CDC Work Keys Test Ms. Henline, AP Ms. Smith, CDC

You have been selected by the state of North Carolina to participate in this WorkKeys assessment due to your outstanding performance in Career and Technical Education courses.  The state has identified you as potential skilled employees for future employment.  This is the third part of the accountability model which includes the PLAN and ACT tests.  Successful achievement on this assessment can earn you a Workplace Readiness Certificate.  This certificate is nationally recognized by employers and can serve as a resume builder for entering the workforce either after high school or after seeking a post-secondary degree.  Your participation is required by the state of North Carolina, ABSS, and your school. Expectation is that you will do your best, as your scores are a direct reflection of you, your school, and your community.

What is Work Keys? A test! 3 parts: Applied Mathematics Reading for Information Locating Information Total time for testing: approximately 3 hours

Who will take Work Keys? High school seniors who have completed 4 units in Career and Technical Education (CTE), including one level 2 course. Students with the following pathways: Career Tech Prep, College Prep/College Tech and Career Prep in CTE

Why take Work Keys? Part of NC Accountability (PLAN, ACT and Work Keys) Find the best job match Increase opportunities to be hired, retained and promoted Help you understand how you can improve your skills for better paying jobs!

When is the test date? February 5, 2014 In the D2 computer lab

What should you bring the day of testing? #2 pencils (No mechanical pencils) Photo ID Basic 4-Function Calculator

What are the levels of the NC Career Readiness Certificate? Bronze Silver Gold Platinum--highest

National Career Readiness Certificate Median Annual Salaries Bronze Silver Gold Auto Body Repairers Butchers & Meat Cutters Cooks, Cafeteria Workers Furniture Finishers Home Health Aides Housekeeping Janitorial Supervisors Painting & Coating Workers Refuse Material Collectors Accounting Clerks Auto Master Mechanics Billing Clerks Licensed Practical Nurses Machine Operators Machinists Medical Laboratory Technicians Payroll Clerks Pipe Fitters Production Inspectors Computer Programmers Electricians Environmental Engineering Techs Instrumentation Technicians Librarians Semiconductor Processors Training & Development Specialists Vocational Education Teachers Wholesale & Retail Buyers Here are a few of the positions that require the skills of the different Certificates. Generally higher skills mean higher wages. Based upon the skill levels needed for position and average wage information from the Dept. of Labor, this slide shows Silver-level jobs pay 30% more than Bronze positions, and Gold-level jobs pay nearly 45% more than Silver position. $26,000 $34,000 $49,000 9

More Ways to Use Your Scores Add your National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC) and WorkKeys scores to your resume and job applications. Take your WorkKeys score report or NCRC to a job interview to show the employer that you have the skills needed for the job. If you are planning to attend a community or technical college, include your WorkKeys scores in your application materials.

IMPROVE TEST SCORES Sample practice tests: www.workkeys.com

To learn more about Work Keys and how to make it work for you……. Visit http://www.act.org/workkeys/

ROOM ASSIGNMENTS D1 A – COBLE D2 COLLINS – FOX D3 FUENTES – HUFF D4 HUGHES – MINNIS D5 MOON – SIMMONS D8 STASKOWICZ - ZULUAGA