1. AGENDA Snapshot of ACT WorkKeys Review National Career Readiness Certificate Partners

2. Founded in 1959 in Iowa City IA Snapshot of ACT Independent, not-for-profit corporation Recognized worldwide as expert in educational measurement, research

3. 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 –WorkKeys Skill Assessment tools –National Career Readiness Certificate –Professional Certification –Data and research

4. “THE WORKKEYS SYSTEM”

5. The Most Comprehensive Assessment of Workplace Skills Communication –Business Writing –Listening –Reading for Information –Writing Personal Skills –Performance –Talent –Fit Problem Solving –Applied Mathematics –Applied Technology –Locating Information –Observation –Interpersonal Skills –Teamwork

6. The Three Components of the System Job Analysis What skills and skill levels are needed in today’s jobs/occupations? Assessment / WorkKeys™ What work skills and skill levels does the individual currently have? Training/ Curriculum How can skill gaps be addressed in training programs?

7. Job Analysis Job Profiling Customized Job Task and Skill Levels SkillMap TM Online service linked to O*NET Tasks Job/skill specific WorkKeys Estimator TM Fast Efficient Process Uses Occ Profiles and O*NET Titles The process of Job Analysis “sets the bar” and gives you concrete information about the skills required in each of your positions.

8. The Assessments Assessments include: Reading for Information Applied Math Applied Technology Locating Information Business Writing Writing Listening Observation Teamwork Personal Skills: Performance Talent Fit Testing gives you reliable information about your applicants’ and employees’ skills and how they compare to skill levels required for jobs.

9. Training Content Designed to fill gaps identified during WorkKeys assessment Target training dollars effectively WIN KeyTrain Gap analysis shows how the applicant or employee performed relative to the “bar.” Training is available to close any gap.

10. NATIONAL CAREER READINESS CERTIFICATE “NCRC”

11. The power of an idea “In the 1950s, ACT created a nationally recognized, standardized resource for college entrance. Now, we’re doing the same thing for the workforce.” Richard L. Ferguson CEO and chairman of ACT, Inc.

12. WHY THE NCRC Announced September 2006 Growth of WorkKeys Assessments Growth of Business use Growth of State Programs Need for a Nationally Portable Work Related Credential

13. NCRC A WorkKeys Powered Credential Registered by ACT May Be Authenticated On Line A Nationally Portable Standard

14. NCRC Principles Based on 3 WorkKeys Foundational Assessments –Applied Mathematics –Reading For Information –Locating Information 4 Skill levels –Bronze –Silver –Gold –Platinum

15. NCRC Principles Performance standards –All 3’s or Above –All 4’s or Above –All 5’s or Above –All 6’s or Above Scores not printed on certificate. No additional endorsements or training listed on the Certificate Tests administered under a proctored secure environment

16. NCRC Reading for Information Applied Mathematics Locating Information 85% of ALL profiled occupations utilize these skills

17. GROWTH OF STATE PROGRAMS CRC’S In the early 2000s 3 Programs Kentucky Jan 2003 Louisiana Feb 2003 Virginia Oct 2004

18. GROWTH OF STATE CRC PROGRAMS 2005-2007 14 More Programs TennesseeOct 2005 North CarolinaOct 2005 IndianaOct 2005 Oklahoma Jan 2006 West VirginiaJan 2006 New Mexico July 2006 AlabamaAug 2006 Georgia Aug 2006 NCRC Sept 2006 Florida Apr 2007 MichiganMay 2007 South CarolinaJuly 2007 KansasJuly 2007 OhioSept 2007 Missouri Oct 2007

19. GROWTH OF STATE CRC PROGRAMS 2008 10 More Programs ArkansasJan 2008 AlaskaApril 2008 ConnecticutApril 2008 OregonMay 2008 WyomingMay 2008 IowaJune 2008 ColoradoJune 2008 MississippiAugust 2008 ConnecticutSummer 08 Pilot VermontSummer 08 Pilot

20. Whos talking about CRC/ NCRC programs 2009 More Programs WisconsinAug 09 PennAug 09 N DakotaLegislation Passed S DakotaLegislation Passed MontanaOngoing Pilot New HampshireFall 09 Decision

21. TM NCRC STATE CONTRACT NCRC REGIONAL PROGRAMS CRC STATE/ACT REGISTRATION CRC STATE/ REGIONAL PROG WORKKEYS ACTIVITY 9-25-09

22. TM Statewide National Career Readiness Certificate Statewide Career Readiness Certificate Program Powered by ACT WorkKeys Region National Career Readiness Certificate Programs

23. Core employability skills for approximately 35% of jobs Core employability skills for approximately 65% of jobs Certificate Levels

24. Core employability skills for approximately 90% of jobs Core employability skills for approximately 99% of jobs Certificate Levels

26. 26

27. The National Career Readiness System Promoting a common language for employers, individuals, educators Providing a system of standardized measurements for comparing workplace skills Integrating workforce initiatives at the state, regional, national levels Connecting hiring needs of employers with skilled individuals seeking careers

28. Shared Benefits Employers get meaningful evidence of skills that lead to performance Educators receive clear picture of employer expectations on skills Individuals gain rewards for achieving precise levels of skills that lead to jobs

29. 10-Nov-06 Individual Benefits Distinguish Individual as a qualified applicant Identify individual skill gaps and train to close those gaps Rank above other job applicants or incumbents for job placement or promotion

30. Identifies key job skill requirements Identify pool of skilled job applicants Matches Employee Skills with Job Requirements Align Training for Incumbent Worker to specific job skill requirements Communicate effectively with Educators Improves Employee Retention and Performance Employer Benefits

31. Focus Training Curricula on identified skill gaps Allows Educators to demonstrate student progress Linking academic achievement to career planning and job opportunities Offers a common language with Employers Increase Student employability Educator Benefits

32. State Alignment Work Ready Communities

33. 33 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT EMPLOYER DEMAND GOVERNOR’S OFFICE HIGH SCHOOLS OTHER WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT POST-SECONDARY CORRECTIONS POLICY FOUNDATION ADULT LEARNING HUMAN SERVICES

34. 34 Alignment ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT EMPLOYER DEMAND GOVERNOR’S OFFICE HIGH SCHOOLS OTHER WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT POST-SECONDARY CORRECTIONS POLICY FOUNDATION ADULT LEARNING HUMAN SERVICES

35. Partners Examples

36. PARTNERS NAM National Association of Manufactures NCCER National Center for Construction and Education Research CAEL Council for Adult and Experiential Learning

37. Partners Provide Career Pathways –Clear defined pathways or ladders within a given career choice Industry Sector Strategy –Clear defined access to a career pathway within the given industry of choice

39. Partners

42. NCCER National Center for Construction and Education Research NCRC will be a base or foundational requirement for entry into the NCCER apprenticeship programs Soft Skills may be added to further inform a sponsoring employer as to the candidate they are training

43. CAEL Council for Adult and Experiential Learning Uses the NCRC as a basis for foundational skills to further augment traditional life learning skills Promotes the NCRC as a basis for further educational direction

44. NCRC - Construction GoldSilverBronze Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists Chemists Civil Engineers Computer and Information Systems Managers Construction Managers Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technicians Surveyors Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers Brickmasons and Blockmasons Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers Chemical Technicians Electricians Electronic Home Entertainment Equipment Installers and Repairers Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers Machinists Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Printing Machine Operators Roofers Tool and Die Makers Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers Bus Drivers, School, Transit and Intercity Construction Laborers Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers Helpers-Carpenters Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers Painters, Construction and Maintenance Truck Drivers, Heavy and Tractor-Trailer

45. Higher Skills = Higher Pay National Career Readiness Certificate Levels And Median Annual Salaries (U.S.) Gold OccupationsSilver OccupationsBronze Occupations $61,185$36,670$27,885 Source: O*NET

46. WorkKeys Help Help Desk 1-800-WorkKeys 800-867-5539 ACT WebSite www.act.org.act.org NCRC www.NationalCareerReadiness.comwww.NationalCareerReadiness.com NCRC www.myworkkeys.com

47. Scott C Stimart Vice President ACT WorkForce Division 319-400-8890 Scott.Stimart@act.org