NATIONAL CAREER READINESS

CERTIFICATE“NCRC”

• Founded in 1959 in Iowa City, IA

Snapshot of ACT

• Independent, not-for-profit corporation

•Recognized worldwide as expert in educational measurement, research

Snapshot of ACT

• Recognized for college readiness solutions, e.g., the ACT assessment

• Pursuing our institutional mission:

“Helping individuals achieve education and workplace success”

• ACT solutions for the workforce– Assessment tools

– Professional certification

– Data and research

Why theNATIONAL CAREER

READINESS CERTIFICATE

“NCRC”

HIGH SCHOOL DATA

• National High School

Graduation Rate

70.6%

• High School Graduation

Rate in Michigan

75%

HIGH SCHOOL DATA

100 high school students

• 75 graduate from high school- 27 enter workforce with

H S diplomas- 48 continue to college

- 30 seek bachelor’s degrees- 11 graduate in 4 years- 18 enter two-year institutions

-11 do not complete a degree

• 25 drop out and enter workforce

HIGH SCHOOL DATA

• 25 % HS Drop Outs to Work World• 27% HS Grads to Work World• 23% 2 or 4 year diploma seekers

Drop Out and enter Work World• 75% Workers in Michigan do not

have a 2 or 4 year Degree• They need an National Career

Readiness Certificate

ADULT DATA

Michigan residents over 25− 89% hold HS diploma or higher− 25% hold bachelor’s Degree or

higher

“Middle skill” workers need the

National Career

Readiness Certificate

ADULT DATA

• 1/3 of Working-Age Michigan Adults - 1.7 Million People - lack essential skills needed to obtain and hold a Family Sustaining Job

• 692,000 of these adults do not hold a GED or high school diploma

ADULT DATA

1.15 Million working adults in Michigan with GEDs or high

school diplomas - but no postsecondary experience - earn

salaries at or below $15.45/Hr State Median Wage

Relationship Between Education and Personal Income, 2006

Manufacturing Jobs

• High Skill manufacturing jobs rose 37% over the past 20 years

• Low Skill manufacturing jobs declined 25% during this period

WHO DOES THE NATIONAL CAREER

READINESS CERTIFICATEAND WHY

EARLY ADOPTERS before the NCRC

In the early 2000s 3 Programs

Kentucky Jan 2003

Louisiana Feb 2003

Virginia Oct 2004

GROWTH OF STATE PROGRAMS

2005-2007 14 More Programs

Tennessee Oct 2005

North Carolina Oct 2005

Indiana Oct 2005

West Virginia Jan 2006

New Mexico July 2006

Alabama Aug 2006 AUGUST 2006

Georgia Aug 2006

Oklahoma Oct 2006

Florida Apr 2007

Michigan May 2007

South Carolina July 2007

Kansas July 2007

Ohio Sept 2007

Missouri Oct 2007

MORE GROWTH OF STATE PROGRAMS

2008 10 More Programs

Arkansas Jan 2008

Alaska April 2008

Connecticut April 2008

Oregon May 2008

Wyoming May 2008

Iowa June 2008

Colorado June 2008

Mississippi August 2008

Connecticut Summer 08 Pilot

Vermont Summer 08 Pilot

WHO IS TALKING ABOUT IT

2008-2009

Wisconsin Spring 09 Pilot

South Dakota 09 Pilot

North Dakota 09 Legislation

Montana Spring 09 Pilot

Pennsylvania May 09 Decision

TM

NCRC STATE

CRC STATE ACTIVITY

WORKKEYS REGIONAL ACTIVITY

LIMITED WORKKEYS ACTIVITY

The Most Comprehensive Assessment of Workplace Skills

Communication– Business Writing– Listening– Reading for

Information– Writing

NEW! Personal Skills

– Performance– Talent– Fit

Problem Solving– Applied Mathematics– Applied Technology– Locating Information– Observation

Interpersonal Skills– Teamwork

NCRC Reading for Information

Applied Mathematics

Locating Information

85% of ALL profiled occupations utilize these skills

Core employability skills for approximately 35% of jobs

Core employability skills for approximately 65% of jobs

Core employability skills for approximately 90% of jobs

Certificate Levels

The National Career Readiness System

• Promotes a common language for employers, individuals, educators

• Provides a standard method for measuring, comparing work skills

• Integrates workforce strategies at the state, regional, national levels

• Connects employer hiring needs to skilled individuals seeking careers

Shared Benefits

EmployersEmployers get meaningful get meaningful evidence of skills that lead to evidence of skills that lead to performance performance

EducatorsEducators receive clear picture of receive clear picture of employer expectations on skillsemployer expectations on skills

IndividualsIndividuals gain rewards for gain rewards for achieving precise levels of skills achieving precise levels of skills that lead to jobsthat lead to jobs

10-Nov-06

Individual Benefits

• Demonstrate essential skills that distinguish qualified applicants

• Identify skill gaps and adopt strategies to close those gaps

• Rank above competing applicants or incumbents for placement/ promotion

• Focus training on specific skill gaps

• Demonstrate student progress

• Link academic preparation to career planning and job opportunities

• Share common language with employers

• Enhance student employability

Educator Benefits

• Identify key skill requirements for jobs

• Identify pool of skilled job applicants

• Match employee skills to job requirements

• Align training initiatives for incumbent workers to specific job skill requirements

• Communicate effectively with educators

• Improve employee retention, performance

Employer Benefits

NCRC- Healthcare Gold Silver Bronze

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers

EMTs & Paramedics

Health Technologists & Technicians, All Other

Medical & Clinical Laboratory Technicians

Medical & Health Services Managers

Pharmacy Technicians

Physical Therapist Assistants

Psychiatric Technicians

Registered Nurses

Respiratory Therapists

Dental Assistants

Dental Hygienists

Health Support Workers, All Other

Licensed Practical & Licensed Vocational Nurses

Medical Assistants

Medical Equipment Repairers

Medical Records & Health Information Technicians

Medical Secretaries

Nursing Aides, Orderlies, & Attendants

Psychiatric Aides

Radiological Technologists

Reception & Information Clerks

Cooks, Institutional & Cafeteria

Dental Laboratory Technicians

Dishwashers

Home Health Aides

Housekeeping Supervisors

Janitorial Supervisors

Maids & Housekeeping Cleaners

Social & Human Services Assistants

Higher Skills = Higher Pay

National Career Readiness Certificate LevelsAnd Median Annual Salaries (U.S.)

Gold Occupations Silver Occupations Bronze Occupations

$62,987 $38,022 $27,340

Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, ACT data

WorkKeys Help

Help Desk 1-800-WorkKeys 800-867-5539

ACT WebSite www.act.org

NCRC www.NationalCareerReadiness.com

NCRC www.myworkkeys.com