Skill Streams for Success
ACT WorkKeys / KeyTrain / Career Readiness Certificate
ACT WorkKeys / KeyTrain
The Skill Streams for Success Program provides an opportunity for participants to be assessed for basic skills using the ACT WorkKeys System and have an opportunity to work on basic skills using the KeyTrain computer based program at the Rowanty Technical Center. There is no cost to the participants for making use of these resources.
The WorkKeys Employment System is a comprehensive system for measuring, communicating and improving the common skills required for success in the workplace. It allows these skills to be quantitatively assessed in both individual persons and in actual jobs, enabling you to correctly identify individuals who have the basic skills required to be successful in a given position or career.
WorkKeys is rapidly becoming the nationwide standard for measuring and communicating basic workplace skills and is currently in use in all 50 states in the United States. WorkKeys was developed by ACT, Inc., the creators of the ACT Assessment college entrance exam.
KeyTrain is a comprehensive, yet easy-to-use system for improving the basic skills measured by the WorkKeys Employment System. Using KeyTrain, you can assess your potential WorkKeys score, review topics in each WorkKeys skill area, and practice problems similar to those on an actual WorkKeys assessment.
The KeyTrain system includes targeted, self-paced instruction, pre- and post-assessments, a complete learning management system and an occupational job profiles database. These components can be used to help individuals learn, practice and demonstrate the skills they need to succeed in the jobs and careers they desire.
Career Readiness Certificate
The Virginia governor's office launched the Career Readiness Certificate (CRC) initiative in 2004. Business and industry leaders called upon the Virginia Community College System (VCCS) and other key stakeholders to implement the statewide employability certificate that connects the goal of all Virginia stakeholders to advance the state's workforce development interest and facilitate a quality of life and economic development movement.
Career Readiness Certificates (CRCs) are graded at three levels - Gold, Silver and Bronze - depending on WorkKeys exam scores. Upon the CRCs first anniversary in October 2005, the Commonwealth of Virginia had awarded over 7,000 CRCs. For many of those recipients, the CRC award represents the first such certification of "academic" achievement.
The CRC provides a workplace skills certification that businesses can directly connect to productivity, quality, business processes, and profitability. The CRC in Virginia is supported by the Virginia Workforce Council, Chamber of Commerce, AFL-CIO and the Virginia Manufacturers Association. It is a useful economic development tool in cities and counties where skill-levels of incumbent, dislocated workers are inadequate, and thus, discourage business development.
The CRC process not only encourages self-motivation, but also drives skill improvement through training software directly related to WorkKeys workplace skills. The result is that employers get applicants who have taken initiative to improve their potential worth to the company. It is truly a win-win process. It is designed to raise community workforce competencies by identifying and improving the weakest and often the least visible tier.
To find out more about the CRC or to test for the CRC, contact Ms. Toni Bennett at the Community College Workforce Alliance (John Tyler Community College Chester Campus) 804-706-5181. There is an assessment fee of $45 (subject to increase).