ACT WorkKeys® assessments are the cornerstone of ACT workforce solutions. The assessments measure foundational skills required for success in the workplace, and help measure the workplace skills that can affect job performance. WorkKeys assessments are:
- Relevant—WorkKeys® assessments are developed to solve actual workplace problems. Unlike other assessments, they don’t simply give an indication of reading and writing competency. Instead, they measure a range of hard and soft skills relevant to any occupation, at any level, and across industries.
- Recognized—Successful completion of WorkKeys core assessments can lead to earning an ACT WorkKeys® National Career Readiness Certificate™ (ACT WorkKeys NCRC®)—a credential that verifies the skills found to be most essential across industries and occupations. Tens of thousands of employers recognize the value of the NCRC, and many recommend the credential to candidates.
Each assessment offers varying levels of difficulty. The levels build on each other, incorporating the skills assessed at the previous levels. For example, at Level 5, individuals need the skills from Levels 3, 4, and 5. The complexity increases as the quantity and/or density of the information increases.
Individuals who successfully complete the three WorkKeys assessments—Applied Math, Graphic Literacy, and Workplace Documents—earn the WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certificate® (WorkKeysNCRC®), a valuable credential for students and job seekers seeking to verify foundational workplace skills. ACT WorkKeys also offers additional assessments to measure interests, values, and behaviors that can lead to greater job satisfaction.
North Carolina administers the ACT WorkKeys assessment to all CTE concentrators who complete a four-course CTE sequence prior to graduation. The ACT WorkKeys assessment provides a gauge of career readiness and is widely recognized as an industry credential.
The student shall complete a CTE concentration in one of the approved CTE Cluster areas:
For more information about Career & Technical Education Curriculum go to: http://www.dpi.state.nc.us/cte/curriculum/
- Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources - Architecture and Construction
- Arts, A/V Technology and Communications - Business, Management and Administration - Education and Training Finance
- Government and Public Administration - Health Science - Hospitality and Tourism - Human Services
- Information Technology - Law, Public Safety, Corrections and Security - Manufacturing - Marketing, Sales and Service - Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics - Transportation, Distribution and Logistics
At the end of students' seniors year, students will be required to take the WorkKeys assessment, if the student has completed a CTE Cluster. A CTE Cluster is 4 CTE courses in a certain area. The WorkKeys assessment will be given to seniors usually in February.
What is WorkKeys? WorkKeys is a job skills assessment system measuring “real world” skills that employers believe are critical to job success. These skills are valuable to any occupation you are considering and at any level of education. When you use WorkKeys to show you are ready for work, you have an advantage with employers who accept or require job applicants to have WorkKeys scores. A growing number of states nationwide also are adopting WorkKeys to ensure that all their workers have needed skills.
The North Carolina Career Readiness Certificate (NCCRC) ensures that an individual has certain foundational skills that are important across a range of occupations. The NCCRC offers individuals, employers and educators an easily understood, conveniently attained and universally valued credential that will contribute to the state’s workforce and economic development objectives.
Recipients are awarded certificates of Platinum, Gold, Silver or Bronze depending on their skill levels in Applied Mathematics, Graphic Literacy and Workplace Documents. The certificate can complement diplomas, degrees and resumes. It also gives job seekers an advantage in the interview process.
Understanding WorkKeys Scores