MCCTA Conference July 26, 2012 Career Ready 101& WorkKeys Building Workplace Skills with On-Line Curriculum

KeyTrain Assesses potential WorkKeys scores Based on the WorkKeys assessment system Assesses potential WorkKeys scores Reviews topics for each skill area Provides an interactive remediation tool

CAREER READY 101 A comprehensive workplace readiness course Provides an integrated approach to exploring careers and their skill requirements, building workplace skills using KeyTrain®, and creating life-literacy with such skills as financial awareness and job searching.  The completion of the program leads users to certification with WorkKeys® assessments and the NCRC. 

How Missouri Career Centers Use Career Ready 101 DetermineS basic skills of the customer: Assists the customer in making informed decisions Helps staff determine services the customer may benefit from Initial assessment of skills to match to employers needs Remediation to prepare for the WorkKeys assessments Prepare customer for workforce needs

What is the National Career Readiness Certificate? The NCRC, issued by ACT, is a portable, evidence-based credential that measures essential workplace skills and is a reliable predictor of workplace success.

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

score on all assessments Certificate Levels Certificates are awarded by achieving a minimum Level 3 score on all assessments Level 4 Level 5 Level 6 Skill levels demonstrate ability for* 35% of jobs 65% of jobs 90% 99% 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 *Approximate percentage based on jobs in the WorkKeys occupational profile database.

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 9

Training – Closing the Skill Gap The WorkKeys System offers assessments to identify skill gaps and provide training to improve scores.

WorkKeys Assessments – Measuring Skills ACT’s Work Ready System measures “real world workplace skills” critical to job success.

Job Profiling – The WorkKeys Difference A key element of the WorkKeys System is job profiling – identifying a specific skill level for a specific job. ACT has one of the largest, most robust occupational profiles database, with more than 18,000 job profiles and 10 million tests administered.

Research & Analytics – Job Comparison Charts WorkKeys job skill comparison charts compare the skill levels required by jobs in ACT's job profile database and the skill levels possessed by individuals who have taken the WorkKeys assessments.

HR Benefits of the NCRC: Easily incorporated in employer’s existing hiring practices Predicts job performance and training success Easier screening of initial applicants Reduces hiring and training costs Better decisions about company training dollars ROI

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Sample job posting using NCRC Production Trainee (Job Order Number 5551212) Open date: April 12, 2011 Close date: April 29, 2011 Employer: Work Site Location: Pay: Duration/Hours per week: Shift/Work Days: Number of Openings: ABC Pipe Fittings Nevada, MO $9.00 per hour Full Time/40+ Hours per week: Days and some weekends 3 Minimum Requirements: National Career Readiness Certificate: Education: Experience/Qualifications: Preferred High School Diploma preferred Entry level position with some overtime required. Must have ability to use industrial hand tools and must have good basic math skills. Salary could be higher depending on experience and qualifications. Applicant must be clean and neat in appearance; punctual; enthusiastic; and willing and able to learn. Regular attendance is an essential job function.

Co-branded Marketing Materials

Educational Preparation Why Care? “The fairly low performance in educating its young population would limit the state’s access to a competitive workforce and weaken its economy.” C National Center on Public Policy Educational Preparation

Benefits to Missouri Economic Development Tool Stronger skilled workforce Makes Missouri more attractive to developers Tax Base Increase Expansion of existing businesses Moving new businesses to Missouri Encourages businesses to stay Keeps employers from moving entry-level jobs to other cities, states, or countries Decreases unemployment rates

Job Applicant Benefits Portable credentials across state lines and industry sectors. Improved opportunities for career changes Facilitates job placement, retention and advancement. Gives confidence your skills meet employer needs. 20

Higher skills = Higher Pay

Benefits to Employers Takes guesswork out of hiring for the employer Reduces turnover cost Reduces training time and costs Better quality in hires Increases productivity

Employers in Missouri

Evidence-Based Hiring Process “The National Career Readiness Certificate will make the hiring process smoother and more efficient. It will provide effective measure of the applicant’s fundamental skills, and give the employer an assessment for potential success. Today’s economy demands a tool which ensures job seekers have the right stuff to succeed.” Daniel P. Mehan, President/CEO, Missouri State Chamber of Commerce

National Career Readiness Certificates in the Midwest IOWA Population 3 million NCRC 14,434 NEBRASKA Population 1.8 million 452 ILLINOIS Population 12.8 million NCRC 15,990 KANSAS Population 2.8 million NCRC 12,935 MISSOURI Population 5.9 million NCRC 10,128 KENTUCKY Population 4.3 million NCRC 46,817 OKLAHOMA Population 3.7 million NCRC 58,169 TENNESSEE Population 6.3 million NCRC 84,567 ARKANSAS Population 3 million NCRC 10,420

Missouri Department of Economic Development Division of Workforce Development Julie Gibson, Director

Certified Work Ready Communities (CWRC) A framework for community-based workforce development to drive economic development.

An effort to align CWRC Vision Workforce Education Economic Development

Framework for Community Economic Development will Help Economic developers to use an on-demand reporting tool that quantifies the skill level of their workforce Community leaders and educators to measure skill gaps and build a career pathway that helps both individuals and industry thrive Businesses and industry to discern and easily communicate the foundational skills needed for a productive workforce Individuals to understand what skills are required by employers-and how to prepare themselves for success

North Star (Navigation Tool) Missouri will attract, retain, and develop a workforce with education and skills to succeed in the 21st century

2010 Top Site Selection Factors Workforce skills State and local tax structure Transportation infrastructure Flexibility of incentive programs Utility infrastructure Land/building costs and supply State economic development strategy From Site Selection Magazine .

AreaDevelopment Magazine 2011 Corporate Survey Availability of Skilled Workforce 88% ranked as Important/ Very Important

Top States for Business 2011 “ When we talk to prospective clients, their No. 1 issue every time is workforce” Jim Anderson, head of Virginia Economic Development Partnership

Goal of CWRC To meet employer needs The goal of the plan is to develop a reliable talent supply pipeline that can deliver: the right workers with the right skills right TIME To meet employer needs

Getting There Organize locally (Think County) Enlist partners (stakeholders) Gather required components Apply Once your county is “Certified” you can renew this status every year

Community Benefits of being CERTIFIED Self determination Community Collaboration Recognition for local achievements Platform for regional cooperation Economic growth and prosperity

QUESTIONS? Melissa Woltkamp melissa.woltkamp@ded.mo.gov (573) 526-8241 Molly Tallarico mary.tallarico@ded.mo.gov (573) 522-2744