the national career readiness certificate, issued by act, is a portable, evidence-based credential...

The National Career Readiness Certificate, issued by ACT, is a portable, evidence-based credential that certifies essential skills needed for workplace success.

National Career Readiness CertificateNational Career Readiness CertificateCertify Your Workforce

• Used to document essential

skills linked to workplace

success

• Evidence-based

• Industry-recognized

• Portable

• Contextualized for the

workplace

• Awarded at four levels:

Bronze, Silver, Gold,

Platinum

The NCRC™ is a credentialcredential that is:


Problem solving

Critical thinking

Reading and using work-related text

Applying information from workplace documents to solve problems

Applying mathematical reasoning to work-related problems

Setting up and performing work-related mathematical calculations

Locating, synthesizing, and applying information that is presented graphically

Comparing, summarizing, and analyzing information presented in multiple, related graphics

The NCRCNCRC is a credentialcredential that is used across all sectors of the economy and certifies the following cognitive skills:


77% of profiled jobs utilize all of these skills*

*Numbers are based on analysis of 5,618 jobs profiled from 2006 to 2010 in the ACT JobPro database.


Individuals can earn the NCRC by taking three WorkKeys® assessments:

• Applied Mathematics

• Locating Information

• Reading for Information

*Numbers are based on analysis of 5,618 jobs profiled from 2006 to 2010 in the ACT JobPro database.

National Career Readiness Certificate

WorkKeys Skills for Jobs Profiled


KeyTrain® is an interactive learning tool for developing

and improving the applied workplace skills defined by

the WorkKeys system. The core curriculum is

complemented by reporting capabilities, diagnostic

tools, and soft skills curriculum.

Training & CurriculumTraining & CurriculumDevelop Your Workforce

Career Ready 101™ is an integrated approach to exploring

careers and their skill requirements, building workplace

skills using the KeyTrain skills curriculum, and creating life

literacy with such skills as financial awareness and job

searching.

Career Ready 101 is available in both online and instructor-

led formats.

Training & CurriculumTraining & CurriculumDevelop Your Workforce

1%1% 4747%%

2121%%

1818%%

Source: ACT JobPro Data 2006-2010

Percentage of U.S. Examinees Earning The Certificate


9999%%

6767%%

1616%%

9393%%

Source: ACT JobPro Data 2006-2010

Job Qualification of Certificate Holders (Essential Cognitive Skills)


126,730177,404

272,455

510,091 506,631

-

100,000

200,000

300,000

400,000

500,000

600,000

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Total NCRC Qualifiers by Year

Source: Internet and Paper-and-Pencil based WorkKeys Assessments from 2006-2010. Notes: NCRC Qualifiers include examinees that took the RI, AM, and LI WorkKeys assessments and qualified for an NCRC.

Total NCRC Qualifiers by Year


-

50,000

100,000

150,000

200,000

250,000

300,000

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Total NCRC Qualifiers by Year and Certificate Level

Bronze

Silver

Gold

Platinum

Source: Internet and Paper-and-Pencil based WorkKeys Assessments from 2006-2010.

Notes: NCRC Qualifiers include examinees that took the RI, AM, and LI WorkKeys assessments and qualified for an NCRC.

Total NCRC Qualifiers by Year and Level


Combining measures of cognitive skills with measures of work-related behaviors—soft skills—brings even greater accuracy to predictions about an individual’s success at work or in training.

National Career Readiness CertificateNational Career Readiness CertificateNCRC Plus

In addition to certifying cognitive skills, the NCRC Plus ranks

individuals in four soft skills categories.

■ Work DisciplineWork Discipline—productivity and dependability

■ TeamworkTeamwork—tolerance, communication, and attitude

■ Customer Service OrientationCustomer Service Orientation—interpersonal skills and perseverance

■ Managerial PotentialManagerial Potential—persuasion, enthusiasm, and problem solving


Individuals can earn the NCRC Plus by taking the WorkKeys Talent assessment.

The Talent assessment is not required to qualify for a National Career Readiness Certificate.


Sample NCRC with the NCRC Plus Rankings.


NCRC PlusNCRC PlusTalent Assessment

WorkKeys Talent is a highly reliable inventory of personality that

reports the behaviors an individual is inclined to practice on the job

and in life. • 165 survey items

• Delivered on Validus® platform in computerized format only

• Agree or disagree statements relating to everyday activities and

habits

• Measures 12 personal characteristics

• Compound scales summarize four areas common to most work

environments

- Work Discipline, Teamwork, Customer Service Orientation, and Managerial Potential

NCRC PlusNCRC PlusTalent Assessment

OutcomesOutcomes

• Employers: Make better HR decisions by hiring and developing people with the right set of “soft skills” to be successful

• Career Seekers: Promote better decision-making about careers, and provide a new means for demonstrating soft skills

• Economic Developers: Attract investors and companies to states and regions in order to create jobs and improve the local economy

Talent AssessmentTalent AssessmentPersonal Characteristics

• Carefulness

• Striving

• Cooperation

• Sociability

• Optimism

• Sociability

12 measures of behavior12 measures of behavior

Combinations of certain attributes form compound scales.

• Goodwill

• Stability

• Order

• Savvy

• Influence

• Discipline

Talent AssessmentTalent AssessmentScore Report

Percentile score reported for each characteristic and compound scale

Talent AssessmentTalent AssessmentWork Discipline

Demonstrates dependability and maintains a disciplined and positive

attitude toward job tasks, rules and regulations, and the work

environment. These personal characteristics contribute to the Work Work

DisciplineDiscipline index:

CarefulnesCarefulnesss

Thinking and planning carefully before acting or speaking

DisciplineDiscipline Acting in a responsible, dependable manner, and following through with tasks without becoming distracted or bored

OrderOrder The tendency to be neat and well-organized

StabilityStability Maintaining composure and rationality in situations of actual or perceived stress

Talent AssessmentTalent AssessmentWork Discipline

• Be punctual, set goals, and follow through on tasks

• Master new skills by investing personal time and effort

• Adopt systems that help manage time and resources

• Maintain an organized work environment

• Search for information in a systematic manner

• Adjust behavior in different situations and among different people

• Recognize problems and focus on solutions

• Reduce stress by balancing work with healthy activities

• Avoid emotional responses by thinking before speaking and acting

Positive Work DisciplineWork Discipline behaviors

Talent AssessmentTalent AssessmentTeamwork

Demonstrating compromise, cooperation, and interpersonal

understanding when working with others. These characteristics

contribute to the TeamworkTeamwork index:

CarefulnessCarefulness Thinking and planning carefully before acting or speaking

CooperationCooperation Tendency to be likable and friendly in interpersonal situations

GoodwillGoodwill Tendency to be forgiving and to believe that others are well-intentioned

OptimismOptimism Maintaining a positive outlook and confidence in successful outcomes


Talent AssessmentTalent AssessmentTeamwork

• Control personal feelings when communicating

• Maintain composure in stressful situations

• Complete tasks with confidence and celebrate success

• Look for positive aspects of seemingly negative events

• Accept and respond to constructive criticism

• Take responsibility and use setbacks as opportunities to improve

• Listen carefully and speak frankly and honestly at the appropriate time

• Gain coworkers’ support through compromise and negotiated solutions

• Direct negative comments at tasks and processes, not at people

• Recognize how actions and words can affect others on multiple levels

Positive TeamworkTeamwork behaviors:

Talent AssessmentTalent AssessmentCustomer Service Orientation

The potential to demonstrate high levels of attentiveness and courtesy

and to provide helpful service to customers. These personal

characteristics contribute to the Customer Service OrientationCustomer Service Orientation

index:


Creativity Creativity Tendency to be imaginative and to think “outside the box”



StrivingStriving Aspiring to high levels of success and working hard to achieve goals

Talent AssessmentTalent AssessmentCustomer Service Orientation

• Gather information and feedback from diverse sources

• Understand background information before developing solutions

• Seek suggestions on improving performance or solving a problem

• Set realistic personal goals and remain accountable for them

• Take responsibility for mistakes and respond to criticism

• Work without direct supervision and adjust pace to workload

• Rely on systems for managing multiple tasks or assignments

• Identify and search out resources needed to complete tasks

• Focus on solving problems and resist complaining about them

• Respond to stress by communicating clearly and calmly

• Encourage others to share ideas and engage in solutions

Positive Customer Service OrientationCustomer Service Orientation behaviors:

Talent AssessmentTalent AssessmentManagerial Potential

The potential to demonstrate a high level of work performance in

supervisory and managerial roles. These personal characteristics

contribute to the Managerial PotentialManagerial Potential index:


Discipline Discipline Acting in a responsible, dependable manner, and following through with tasks without becoming distracted or bored.

InfluenceInfluence Tendency to impact and dominate social situations by speaking without hesitation and accepting leadership responsibilities


SavvySavvy Reading other people’s motives, understanding office politics, and anticipating the needs and intentions of others

Employer SuccessEmployer Success

• Osborne Wood Products, Inc., Toccoa, Georgia

• Flexsteel Industries, Dublin, Georgia

• Eastman Kodak Company, Columbus, Georgia

• Solo Cup Company, Conyers and Social Circle, Georgia

• Energizer, Asheboro, North Carolina

• Shands Jacksonville Medical Center, Jacksonville, Florida

• Wolverine Coil Spring, Grand Rapids, Michigan

• NW Natural, Portland, Oregon

• Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc., Waterbury, Vermont

• Hoffer Plastics Corporation, South Elgin, Illinois

“As a result of worker certification, our

community has shown promise for future

industry in our area. We have become a

community where qualified people can find

good jobs using fair and objective hiring

practices. As for Osborne Wood Products, we

have found an effective tool to locate the best

applicants and bring them into full

employment seamlessly.”

- Leon Osborne, chief executive officer, Osborne

Wood Products

Learn more at act.org/workforce/case/

National Career Readiness CertificateNational Career Readiness CertificateBenefits


• September 2011 marked the 5-5-yearyear anniversary of the NCRC

• Over 1.2 MILLION1.2 MILLION Certificates have been registered

• 4444 states have regional or statewide Certificate programs

National Career Readiness CertificateNational Career Readiness CertificateBenefits

Career Seekers Provide employers with verifiable evidence of their job skills

Employers Screen applicants and find the right workers for jobs at all levels, as well as make decisions about training and advancement of current employees

Educators Ensure that their students are ready for meaningful careers

Industry Associations Adopt the NCRC as the foundational credential of their skills certification systems

Workforce Developers Help to supply employers with workers possessing the necessary skills to meet demand

Economic Developers Inform businesses’ decisions about where to locate or expand by demonstrating the skill level of regional labor sheds

Contact UsContact Us

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[email protected] • (XXX) XXX-XXXX

Learn more at act.org/workforce.

the national career readiness certificate, issued by act, is a portable, evidence-based credential...

Documents

workforce slide

information slide

essential skills

career ready

applied workplace skills

keytrain skills curriculum

soft skills curriculum

workforce individuals