Linking Schools toLinking Schools toBusiness and IndustryBusiness and Industry
Using the National Career Readiness Certificate
Leland High SchoolOswego High School
Waubonsee Community CollegeMarch 16, 2011
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Your Experience with the Your Experience with the National Career Readiness National Career Readiness
Certificate? Certificate?
No knowledgeHeard of it, but what do I do with
it?Heard of it, would like to use itCurrently using the NCRC
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TodayToday
What is the NCRCRural high schoolSuburban high schoolCommunity collegeLink to business and industry
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The JargonThe Jargon
ACT – A research/test publisher that measures college and workplace aptitudes
WorkKeys – Assessments developed by ACT to measure workplace skills and aptitudes
National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC) –a portable, nationally recognized credential based on four skill levels (Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum)
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National Career Readiness National Career Readiness CertificateCertificateWhat is it?What is it?
Portable credential of skills3 WorkKeys assessmentsProvides a common language
about what types and levels of skills are needed for jobs (levels1-7)
Link between high schools, employers, job seekers, trainers
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What is the NCRC?What is the NCRC?Developed by
ACTResearched and
profiled 17,000 jobs throughout the United States
Common language and measure of job skills
Expectations between employers, current and future employees, high schools, community colleges
Ties to O*NEThttp://online.onetcent
er.org
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WorkKeys AssessmentsWorkKeys AssessmentsWorkplace Foundational SkWorkplace Foundational Skillsills
Reading for Reading for Information (RI)Information (RI)
Applied Applied Mathematics (AM)Mathematics (AM)
Locating Locating Information (LI)Information (LI)
Applied TechnologyApplied Technology TeamworkTeamwork ObservationObservation Listening Listening WritingWriting Business writingBusiness writing
85% of ALL occupations utilize these skills
National Career National Career Readiness Readiness CertificateCertificate
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The 3 Foundational SkillsThe 3 Foundational SkillsApplied Mathematics (AM)Applied Mathematics (AM)Skills people use to apply mathematical Skills people use to apply mathematical
reasoning, critical thinking , and problem-reasoning, critical thinking , and problem-solving techniques to work-related solving techniques to work-related problemsproblems
Locating Information (LI)Locating Information (LI)Skills people use to work with workplace Skills people use to work with workplace
graphicsgraphics
Reading for Information (RI)Reading for Information (RI)Skills people use to read and use written textSkills people use to read and use written text
(Note: This slide has been corrected.)(Note: This slide has been corrected.)
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National Career Readiness National Career Readiness Certificate Levels and Certificate Levels and
EmployabilityEmployability3-Bronze - Aptitude for approximately 35% of
jobs in ACT database (entry level e.g. CNA, machinist)
4-Silver - Aptitude for approximately 65% of jobs (middle skill jobs e.g. allied health, manufacturing technology)
5-Gold - Aptitude for approximately 90% of jobs (four year degree e.g. Registered Nurse, engineer)
6-Platinum - Aptitude for approximately 99% of jobs (graduate degree e.g. physician, physicist)
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Applied MathematicsApplied MathematicsExamples of Level SkillsExamples of Level Skills
3-add/subtract negative numbers; convert decimals to fractions
4-multiply negative numbers; calculate averages
5-divide negative numbers; calculate perimeters and areas of basic shapes
6-rearrange a formula before solving a problem
7-calculate multiple areas/volumes of spheres, cylinders, or cones
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Sampling of WorkKeys Sampling of WorkKeys LevelsLevels
Graphic DesignerMachinistRegistered NurseCivil EngineerLawyerHuman Resource
Manager
AM LI RI 5 4 5 4 4 4 4 5 5 7 5 6 4 5 7 5 5 5
1111
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TM
NCRC STATE
CRC STATE ACTIVITY
REGIONAL NCRC/WORKKEYS ACTIVITY
LIMITED WORKKEYS ACTIVITY
200913
LELAND HIGH LELAND HIGH SCHOOLSCHOOL
RURAL HIGH SCHOOLRURAL HIGH SCHOOL
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Leland High SchoolLeland High SchoolWhy?Why?
Validates PSAE Day 2
Tangible credential that gives more information than high school diploma
Focus on skills related to particular jobs
Rewards students who may not usually receive school honors
School needs to do its part to expose business/industry to this opportunity
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LogisticsLogistics
Assess all seniors who have 3 or better on Reading for Information and Applied Mathematics
2009-2010: all seniors qualified (22 students)
2010-2011: all but 1 senior qualified (23 students)
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Locating InformationLocating Information(WorkKeys Assessment)(WorkKeys Assessment)
45 minute assessment
Testing environment similar to ACT
Students can receive accommodations
Generate pre-ID label
Use Waubonsee Community College as the site administrator
Matches LI assessment with 2 from PSAE to issue NCRC
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The CostThe Cost
• Assessment $6.50•National Career Readiness
Certificate $15•Approximately $22 / student
•ACT site license fee $0, Waubonsee pays the $250 fee
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FundingFunding
VALEES (EFE) provides mini-grants
Funded 100% of the cost both years
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Connection to Business and Connection to Business and IndustryIndustry
All juniors and seniors job shadow one-on-one
Bring resumes with WorkKeys scores to employers
Thank you gift to employers◦USB drive with CRC info ◦Stress ball light bulb with CRC
website
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Leland’s ResultsLeland’s Results
2009-2010: All students received either bronze, silver, or gold◦Valedictorian and salutatorian
earned Silver (not Gold)2010-2011: 21/23 students
received NCRC◦5 Gold, 15 Silver, 1 Bronze
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National Career Readiness National Career Readiness CertificatesCertificates
Awarded at Honors NightAllows students who might not
receive other academic awards to take part
Submit Honors Night winners to newspaper
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OSWEGO HIGH OSWEGO HIGH SCHOOLSCHOOL
SUBURBAN HIGH SCHOOLSUBURBAN HIGH SCHOOL
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Oswego High SchoolOswego High SchoolGrant allowed up to 75 participants
◦ 2009-2010: 44 participants ◦ 2010-2011: 33 participants
Targeted seniors who were participating in classes with internship opportunities ◦ Medical Topics; ICE; Banking & Finance; Restaurant Management 2
Students must have scored 3 or higher to be eligible for NCRC
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Oswego’s ResultsOswego’s ResultsYear 1Year 1
2009-2010: of the 44 scores reported 100% scored a 3 or higher on Locating Information assessment
Level 6 – 2% PlatinumLevel 5 – 49% GoldLevel 4 – 47% SilverLevel 3 – 2% Bronze
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Year 2Year 2
2010-2011: 33 students tested
◦Level 6 – 0% Platinum◦Level 5 – 30% Gold◦Level 4 – 61% Silver◦Level 3 – 9% Bronze
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Follow-UpFollow-UpAfter results were received we followed
up with a workshop for students. Students explored www.NationalCareerReadiness.org and were allowed to register their certificates and explore the scores and perspective career paths.
Teenagers Preparing for the Real World were handed out to each student.
WCC Workforce Development, awarded certificates at Senior Awards Night.
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WAUBONSEE WAUBONSEE COMMUNITY COMMUNITY
COLLEGECOLLEGE
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Why is a Community College Interested Why is a Community College Interested
Outreach and AdvoacyOutreach and Advoacy
Local and Statewide InitiativesLocal and Statewide Initiatives
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Waubonsee Community Waubonsee Community CollegeCollege
Workforce Development department stakeholders◦Employers◦High schools◦Economic Development professionals◦Workforce Investment Boards◦Job seekers and changers
Job preparation and skill development
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Why the NCRC?Why the NCRC?
Common language and objective measure
Employers “we can’t find employees with math skills to be a ___________”
Job seekers “what does it take to be a ______?”
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Employer Benefits-WIFM?Employer Benefits-WIFM?
Improved quality of new hiresReduction in training time (50%)* Increased productivity (errors reduced
90%)*Lower turnover (32-50%)* Identification of skill gapsTargeted career development
*Cited in anecdotal employer case studies Morningstar Foods, Northrup Grumman, Midamerican Energy, and Owensboro Medical Healthcare System.
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Why Employers are Using the Why Employers are Using the NCRCNCRC
Additional resource to make hiring and training decisions
Supplements knowledge of applicant’s skills and abilities
Complements traditional credentials (diploma)
National standard
Easy to understand and quantify
Readily available information on meaning of skills and skill levels
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Part of aPart of a“Layered Credential”“Layered Credential”
NCRC is a foundational credentialIndustry-specific certificates build
upon NCRC◦Manufacturing Skill Standards Council◦National Association of Manufacturers◦CNA (certified nursing assistant)◦others
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Why in the Fox Valley?Why in the Fox Valley?Attract/retain employers with proof
of a highly skilled workforceProves existence of pipeline of
“career ready” employeesAids economic development
through increased worker productivity, providing a strong community infrastructure
Provides common language
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NCRCsNCRCsWaubonsee Community College statistics
116 NCRCs-February 2009 and December 2010
Certificate holders are:◦ high school seniors (3 schools)◦ community college students in career and technical
programs (auto body, CNA, IDT) ◦ adults in the workforce ◦ unemployed or underemployed adults in union
construction career programRecently (2011) tested 262 high school
seniors ◦ 4 additional schools
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ACCEPTANCE BY THE ACCEPTANCE BY THE BUSINESS BUSINESS
COMMUNITY COMMUNITY
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Local and regional initiativesLocal and regional initiatives
GeographicElginFreeportDuPage CountyMcHenry CountySpringfieldStephenson
County
Community CollegesCollege of DuPageElgin Community
CollegeHighland Community
CollegeSpoon River
Community CollegeSouthwestern
Community CollegeWaubonsee
Community College
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Illinois NCRC Strategic Planning Illinois NCRC Strategic Planning TeamTeam
Vision Statement
To establish the NCRC as the credential recognized by business, education, and government as the benchmark for workplace skills in Illinois.
MembersRepresentatives
from 4 Workforce Investment Boards
BusinessK-12 SystemHigher EducationACTMembership
associations
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Letters of CommitmentLetters of Commitment
Asking employers to:
sign LOCAsk for NCRC in
job postingsInclude NCRC in
addition to other hiring criteria
Use NCRC as a tool for employee development
Advocacy website:
www.ncrc.advocates.org
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Questions?Questions?
www.act.orgACT TestEducationWorkforceInternational
www.act.org/certificate
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Contact InformationContact Information
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Laura EdwardsLeland High School
Paula HilderbrandOswego High School
Lesa NorrisWaubonsee Community College
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