1. NATIONAL CAREER READINESS CERTIFICATE “NCRC”

2. Overview of ACT, Inc. Founded in 1959 as American College Testing Now “ ACT” Mission Driven “ Helping People Achieve Education and Workplace Success” 501(c)(3) not-for-profit Known for the “ACT Test” “WorkKeys” gaining rapid awareness

3. Overview of ACT, Inc. ACT is Divided into Divisions –Education –WorkForce Development

4. Overview of ACT, Inc. Education “Discover” “Explore” for 8 th Graders “Plan” for 10 th Graders “ACT” for 11-12 th Graders “Compass” Post High School

5. Overview of ACT, Inc. WorkForce Development Sales and Marketing WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certification Professional Development Services Certification and Licensure Test Development Test Administration

6. Overview of ACT, Inc. WorkKeys System Job Skills Documentation Profiling, Skill Map, Estimator Foundational Skills Assessments 9 Cognitive Assessments Personal Skills Assessments Performance, Talent, Fit Training National Career Readiness Certificate System

7. “THE WORKKEYS SYSTEM”

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

9. 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 / WIN / KeyTrain ™ How can skill gaps be addressed in training programs?

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. GROWTH OF WORKKEYS In the early years 400,000/yr In the early 2000s 750,000/yr 2004-2007 1,000,000/yr Projected for 2008 1,500,000/yr

14. GROWTH OF BUSINESSES USING WORKKEYS In the early years Very Few In the early 2000s 500-1000 2004-2007 1500-2000 Projected for 20083000 +

15. GROWTH OF STATE PROGRAMS CRC’S In the early years 1992 – 2000 No Programs

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

17. GROWTH OF STATE CRC PROGRAMS 2005-2007 14 More Programs TennesseeOct 2005 North CarolinaOct 2005 IndianaOct 2005 West VirginiaJan 2006 New Mexico July 2006 Alabama Aug 2006 Georgia Aug 2006 Oklahoma Oct 2006 Florida Apr 2007 Michigan May 2007 South CarolinaJuly 2007 KansasJuly 2007 OhioSept 2007 Missouri Oct 2007

18. GROWTH OF STATE CRC PROGRAMS Projected for 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

19. TM NCRC STATE CRC STATE ACTIVITY WORKKEYS REGIONAL ACTIVITY NO WORKKEYS ACTIVITY

20. NATIONAL CAREER READINESS CERTIFICATE “NCRC”

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

22. 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.

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

24. 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

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

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

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

28. Core employability skills for approximately 35% of jobs Core employability skills for approximately 65% of jobs Core employability skills for approximately 90% of jobs Certificate Levels

30. 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

31. 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

32. 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

33. 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

34. NCRC- Healthcare GoldSilverBronze Diagnostic Medical Sonographers EMTs & Paramedics Health Technologists & Technicians, All Other Medical & Clinical Laboratory Technicians Medical & Health Services Managers Pharmacy Technicians Physical Therapist Assistants Psychiatric Technicians Registered Nurses Respiratory Therapists Dental Assistants Dental Hygienists Health Support Workers, All Other Licensed Practical & Licensed Vocational Nurses Medical Assistants Medical Equipment Repairers Medical Records & Health Information Technicians Medical Secretaries Nursing Aides, Orderlies, & Attendants Psychiatric Aides Radiological Technologists Reception & Information Clerks Cooks, Institutional & Cafeteria Dental Laboratory Technicians Dishwashers Home Health Aides Housekeeping Supervisors Janitorial Supervisors Maids & Housekeeping Cleaners Social & Human Services Assistants

35. Higher Skills = Higher Pay National Career Readiness Certificate Levels And Median Annual Salaries (U.S.) Gold OccupationsSilver OccupationsBronze Occupations $62,987$38,022$27,340 Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, ACT data

36. 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