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Study Comparing ACT & WorkKeys Career Readiness Programs Finds Similarities

High school students who plan to enter workforce training programs after they graduate need academic skills similar to those needed by students planning to enter college, according to a new study conducted by ACT. The findings suggest that the math and reading skills needed to be ready for success in workforce training programs are comparable to those needed for success in the first year of college.

Ready for College and Ready for Work: Same or Different?

State Launches Skills Assessment and Certification Program

Within today's global economy, finding and keeping a job requires higher skill levels than ever before. Employers want workers with documented skills based on the "real world" of any work place from a welding shop to a hospital.

The Governor's Council for Workforce and Economic Development (GCWED) and many of its partner agencies rolled out a system of assessment and certification designed to meet the needs of both employees and employers.

The program involves the following:

A career-ready certificate program with a portable credential documenting that potential or incumbent employees possess certain fundamental skills required by employers here and across the country.
Use nationally recognized assessments to measure skills and provide a common language between educators, businesses, and community members.
Use the assessment system to validate the skills and skill levels of job seekers and compare them to the skills needed for jobs in today's economy.

To date, the initiative involves the assessment of thousands of potential and incumbent employees and hundreds of pre-assessment, assessment, and training sites across the state.

How it Works: WorkKeys Assessment and Oklahoma Career Readiness Certificates

Designed by ACT, the company that developed the ACT Assessment college entrance exam, WorkKeys measures communication, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills valuable to any occupation--skilled or professional--and at any level of education.

Assessment sites can be found across the state on college campuses, One-Stop sites, CareerTech centers, etc. Individuals' assessments and scores are recorded and housed in a secure database. Depending on their scores, potential or incumbent employees are awarded a gold, silver or bronze Oklahoma Career Readiness Certificate.

These portable skills credentials, which are easily and nationally recognized, can be used to facilitate job placement, retention, and advancement in our mobile society.

For more information or to find out how your business, agency, or organization can participate in the WorkKeys/Oklahoma Career Readiness project, contact Susan Kuzmic, 405-809-3582.

For more information follow the links below:

WorkKeys/Oklahoma Career Readiness for Employers

WorkKeys/Oklahoma Career Readiness for Employees

Oklahoma Job Link (Workforce Oklahoma)

WorkKeys Case Studies

WorkKeys Case Study: Chickasha High School

WorkKeys Case Study: Metzeler Automotive Profiling Systems

WorkKeys Case Study: Pioneer Technology Center

WorkKeys Case Study: Solo Cup Company

WorkKeys Case Study: WestOak Industries

Introduction: WorkKeys And Oklahoma Career Readiness Certificates

Study Comparing ACT & WorkKeys Career Readiness Programs Finds Similarities