WorkKeys

Keys to Productivity

In today’s workforce, as the demand for workers stands at an all-time high, the expression “skills gap” has surfaced in our business communities. Company leaders have defined this term as:

	A growing shortage of skilled workers
	Poor communication and teamwork skills among workers, but team- and service-oriented management
	A low-tech workforce, with a growing number of high-tech jobs
	Workers’ low average educational levels, in contrast to new jobs requiring more training and/or education

To combat the “skills gap” problem, American College Testing (ACT) has developed Work Keys, a national system of skills measurement specifically designed to serve business and industry. The system helps employers evaluate job requirements, select employees with appropriate skills, and plan training for existing staff. It also allows employers to customize the program to meet their needs, while working in a standard, nationwide system. Work Keys is made up of three key components: a job analysis system (profiling); assessments to help determine workers’ skill levels; and instructional support to bring workers’ skills up to needed levels.

In Ohio, the Work Keys system has become a program leader in adult workforce education. In fact Ohio’s adult workforce education leads the nation in administering the Work Keys Assessment System. In the1999-2000 fiscal year, almost 7,000 individuals from Ohio businesses and industries were Work Keys tested through the Ohio Department of Education, Office of Career-Technical and Adult Education and more than 300 job profiles were completed.

Work Key Benefits

The Work Keys system offers a wide range of benefits. Documented successes through Work Keys include:

	Business can cut the cost of recruiting, hiring, turnover, training, overtime, and downtime
	Employers can identify and develop workers for a wide range of skilled jobs
	Students and workers can advance their skills
	Educators can tailor courses to help students acquire the skills employers require

The Work Keys Assessment System involves three basic steps:

FIRST, ACT qualified job profilers work with experienced front line employees to identify the key skills and levels of competency current and prospective employees require to be successful on the job.

SECOND, a Work Keys skills test is administered to job applicants and/or the company’s employees to determine their current skill levels in eight areas. The areas include:

	Applied mathematics
	Applied technology
	Listening
	Locating information
	Observation
	Reading for information
	Teamwork
	Writing

THIRD, the employees’ test results are then compared to the minimum skill levels set by the job profile—enabling the employer to immediately evaluate each employee’s qualifications and training.

Thousands of companies across the United States and Canada are reaping the benefits of the Work Keys Assessment System in a variety of industries including: manufacturing, technology, service, retail, health, and agribusiness. After implementing the Work Keys system, companies are documenting many of the following rewards:

	Improved employee selection and advancement procedures
	Reduced overtime
	Reduced turnover
	Reduced training time and costs
	Increased productivity and motivation
	Fewer legal challenges over hiring processes
	Higher employee morale

Work Keys job analysts are available to work with interested business and organizations on- or off-site to maintain and improve company competitiveness and workforce competence. For more information, contact Ellie Stough Cichocki in the Adult Workforce Education Division of Four County Career Center at 800-589-3334, ext. 2208 or e-mail her at ecichocki@fourcounty.net.

WorkKeys-- Career Readiness Credential

Employers

When you recommend or require the National Career Readiness Certificate for jobs in your workplace, you'll tap into the most qualified labor pool in your area. When an applicant walks in with a certificate, you'll have solid insight into that individual's foundational skills. Use the certificate as a tool for:

· Screening—Save time by interviewing only applicants who have the skills required for your jobs.

· Hiring and promotion—A National Career Readiness Certificate can be used as a "plus" factor to help you make selection and promotion decisions.

· Targeting employee training and development—Save money by using your training budget on employees with skill gaps.

Find the Most Skilled Employees with Our Online Resource

Employers who accept the certificate also get access to our online Career Readiness System. This comprehensive employment tool has a job bank that allows you to post job opportunities and a talent bank that allows you to search our national database for qualified candidates. Save time and money with this powerful resource that connects certificate-holding job seekers and certificate-accepting

(Reprinted by permission of the Ohio Department of Education.)

Keys to Productivity

More Career Readiness Certificate Benefits

Find the Most Skilled Employees with Our Online Resource