MISSOURI UPDATE

Certified Work Ready Communities Overview  State driven--led nationally by ACT-Workforce Division- Missouri one of the 1 st 4 states in the nation chosen to participate in 2012 Today, 1 of 24 states participating  States will use NCRC (National Career Readiness Certificate) to skill up workforce  Employers will partner to help build talent pipeline and drive growth  Local counties will have verifiable data to validate the quality of their workforce

CWRC provides a Consistent National Framework

Missouri Snapshot - Almost 63,000 NCRC’s statewide, over 3Million nationally 64 counties now participating Almost 2600 employers recognizing

18 CERTIFIED COUNTIES Adair, Barry, Butler, Cape Girardeau, Chariton, Franklin, Henry, Jasper, Jefferson, Linn, Newton, Pettis, Ripley, Saline, St Francois, Vernon, Livingston, Grundy

What does the Certified Work Ready Communities initiative do?  Link workforce development to education  Align skills with the economic development needs of communities  Match individuals to jobs based on skill levels.

What’s in it for Key Stakeholders…  Economic Developers and Community Leaders can quantify the skill level of their workforce  Businesses and industry benefit from a workforce with the foundational skills to be productive

What’s in it for Key Stakeholders  Individuals understand what skills are required by employers and how to prepare themselves  Helps Educators measure skill gaps of students and build career pathways that benefit both, individuals and business

Benefits for Economic Developers?  #1 Reason a business would locate to a community is available skilled labor Drives economic competitiveness Demonstrate Missouri’s qualified workforce Provide more opportunities for employment in Missouri.

Benefits of CWRC  Economic Development Tool  Stronger skilled workforce  Makes Missouri more attractive to developers  Tax Base Increase  Expansion of existing businesses  Moving new businesses to Missouri  Encourages businesses to stay  Keeps employers from moving entry-level jobs to other cities, states, or countries  Decreases unemployment rates

Community Criteria County certification is based primarily on the number of National Career Readiness Certificates (NCRC) attained in specific and distinct workforce categories, as well as # of supporting businesses. (based on 2010 census)  Transitional-unemployed workers/job seekers  Emerging- Graduating students  Current workforce  Veterans (Missouri tracking)

What is an NCRC? An NCRC is  Evidence-based  Industry-recognized  Portable credential  Certifies essential skills important for workplace success  Awarded at four levels:  Bronze  Silver  Gold  Platinum

NCRC Documents these Skills Reading for Information  Measures skill used when reading written text Applied Mathematics  Measures skill in applying mathematical reasoning, critical thinking and problem-solving techniques Locating Information  Measures skill in working with workplace graphics to find and analyze information

Certificate Levels *Approximate percentage based on jobs in the WorkKeys occupational profile database. Certificates are awarded by achieving a minimum Level 3 score on all assessments Level 4 score on all assessments Level 5 score on all assessments Level 6 score on all assessments Skill levels demonstrate ability for* 16% of jobs 67% of jobs 93% of jobs 99% of jobs Sample Occupation Correlation Auto Body Repair Technician Veterinary Assistant Janitorial Supervisor Drywall Installer Pharmacy Aid Administrative Manager Head Cook Medical Assistant Engineering Technician Machinist School Counselor Pharmacy Technician Semi-Conductor Processor Business Executive Electrician Accountant Technical Writer Sales Manager Registered Nurse Manager Elevator Installer and Repairer

 Takes guesswork out of hiring for the employer  Reduces turnover cost  Reduces training time and costs  Increases productivity Benefits to Employers

Evidence based “The National Career Readiness Certificate will make the hiring process smoother and more efficient. It will provide effective measure of the applicant’s fundamental skills, and give the employer an assessment for potential success. Today’s economy demands a tool which ensures job seekers have the right stuff to succeed.” Daniel P. Mehan, President/CEO, Missouri State Chamber of Commerce

Where do job seekers or students earn an NCRC?  Missouri Career Centers ― no cost for 18 or older  Community Colleges & Vocational Technical Schools ― using WorkKeys to assess graduating students; NCRC to assist in the job search  Many Missouri High Schools now testing their Juniors & Seniors. Some using it as an entry/exit exam to gauge proficiency—(work with Mo Job Center near you or area Community College  Funding available presently to assist with under 18 testing

For Additional Information Workreadycommunities.org Or call (573) Cheri Tune, Director CWRC