Students across the region have a new resource which will show employers what their skills are whether listed on a resume or verbally communicated during an interview.
Through a grant from the Texas Workforce Commission, Workforce Solutions of West Central Texas along with four other Texas areas (totaling 75 counties) has received funding through August 2012 to offer 1,500+ juniors, seniors, and out-of-school youth an opportunity to earn a National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC) which was developed by the internationally recognized assessment organization American College Testing (ACT). Testing for this certificate is being coordinated through schools, organizations, and on an individual basis. Another important objective of the grant is to obtain letters of commitment from employers stating they will recognize and promote the certificate in their interview, hiring, and/or promotion processes. The services provided through the grant are focused on creating work-ready communities and continuing to build regional capacity for meeting the current and future workforce needs.
The NCRC provides fair and objective measurement of workplace skills and can be accepted nationwide. This credential is also used across all sectors of the economy at all levels. The NCRC is comprised of three assessments in the following areas: math, reading, and locating information which tap into the youth’s problem-solving and communication skills. When ACT profiled 6,000 jobs over five years they found that 77% of the jobs utilized these skills.
In order for youth to earn a certificate they will be provided with access to a web-based pre-assessment and remediation tools. Following these activities, they will take a three and a half hour proctored assessment which will indicate if they have earned one of the four certificate levels. Once earned, the certificate is good for five years. Such testing normally costs $22 per person along with licensing fees; however, all testing expenses are covered under the grant. Testing is also coordinated and administered by Workforce staff at the participating school/organization.
Along with students earning career readiness certificates, there is also a focus on educating employers about the certificate and gaining their support in recognizing applicants/incumbents who obtain this credential. The certificate is intended to help employers make informed decisions in the screening and selection process, training and development, and succession planning. Employers throughout the region are being asked to sign a letter of commitment stating they will recognize and promote the NCRC as a valuable credential and take it into account during their interview, hiring, and/or promotion processes.
This initiative is designed to provide youth with an opportunity to identify, develop, and communicate essential workplace skills as well as gain regional employer support for a nationally recognized certificate. Several schools and employers throughout the 19 county region have committed to participate in this initiative. If you are affiliated with a school or organization and would like to offer this assessment, or are an employer and would like to sign a letter of commitment, please see contact Garolyn Jergins, Readiness Navigator for the Workforce Solutions of West Central Texas Board, at (325) 795-4327 for more information about this initiative. E-mail requests should be sent to garolyn.jergins@workforcesystem.org.
3M Company is the first employer in Brownwood to commit to recognition of the NCRC credential in the employment process according to Jergins.
“Brownwood is a very good community to work with, fantastic with education and employers,” said Jergins. “Brown County is very supportive of the program.” Jergins explained that NCRC is just being introduced to the area and Brownwood ISD along with four other school districts in the county are very supportive. She explained that the STARR and TAKS tests are statewide; however not something that an employer will typically ask about during an interview. The NCRC is a nationally recognized certification that tests skills that are actually used in all careers. Subject matter of math, reading and locating information is tested, such as from graphs, memos, and more.
For a current list of employers recognizing NCRC, click here.
The Workforce Solutions of West Central Texas Board is one of 28 boards in the state charged with oversight and policy-making responsibility for workforce and training programs in a nineteen county region. Additional information on the Board’s economic development efforts or services for business customers may be obtained by calling the Workforce Board at (325) 795-4200 or by visiting the website at www.workforcesystem.org. Equal Opportunity Program. Auxiliary aids and services are available, upon request, to individuals with disabilities.
