Career Readiness Certificate

Sometimes called "The Fourth R," readiness joins the standards—reading, writing, and arithmetic—as the 21st Century measure of capacity to enter and remain in the workforce as a contributing employee. Career Readiness refers to the ability to move on to:

• Entry-level work
• A career
• Further education

The realities of today’s economy are well documented. Economic development in local, state, and regional areas is affected by the global economy. Individuals must attain higher skill levels than ever to get a job and stay employed. Businesses look for workers with documented skills to succeed in high performance work settings. Industry, community, and government leaders see the need for regional and state initiatives to increase workforce skills and improve the quality of life for the individuals they represent.

The Career Readiness Certificate utilizes the WorkKeys assessment test developed by ACT, a nationally recognized leader in educational testing. ACT is best known for its college entrance exam, which measures one’s potential to succeed in the academic world. Likewise, the WorkKeys system measures a candidate’s potential to succeed in the business/working world. The WorkKeys system provides an innovative approach to bridge the skills gap in the workplace.