WORKKEYS AND THE CAREER READINESS CREDENTIAL Maria Phillips Judie Bergstresser Becky Stitt Polaris Career Center 7285 Old Oak Blvd. Middleburg Hts., OH

What is Work Keys? A job skills assessment system measuring “real world” skills that employers believe are critical to job success. Students who use WorkKeys to document their readiness for work have an edge with the growing number of employers nationwide who accept or require that job applicants have WorkKeys scores. Several states aslo have adopted WorkKeys to ensure that workers have needed skills.

Employers ● Workforce ● Training ● Economic Development WorkKeys effectively measures aptitude in three key areas that are needed to insure that the workforce can be re-trained to meet the changing skill demands of employers. WorkKeys as a Common Language: WorkKeys as a Common Language:

Work Keys Measures skill levels in basic skills: Reading for Information Reading workplace documents Applied Math To solve practical workplace problems Locating Information Locating, inserting, comparing, or summarizing information in workplace graphics, charts, drawings, spreadsheets, maps, etc. Levels 3 through 7

Skill AreaBronzeSilverGold Reading for Information 345 Applied Mathematics 345 Locating Information 345 Career Readiness Certificate Levels

As the Career Readiness Certificate (CRC) is based on those three: Gold = for 85% of jobs in the WorkKeys database Silver = for 50% of jobs Bronze = for 30% of jobs,

Starting Wages and the CRC (from the ACT Occupational DB) High school diploma + Bronze = $16,000 Silver= $16-20,000 Gold= Over $20,000 West Michigan Strategic Alliance 2006

Commonwealth of Virginia In recognition of demonstrated skills in Applied Mathematics, Reading for Information, & Locating Information NAME is awarded a Silver Certificate 7 th July, 2004 __________________ Governor Mark Warner ______________ Career Readiness Certificate