Creating A Common Language for Workforce Development

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Creating A Common Language for Workforce
Development
San Joaquin Partnership Modesto,
California September 28, 2006
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Thomas S. Kilijanek, Ph.D. Work Keys
Consultant West Region/Denver Office [phone]
kilijane_at_act.org 1-800-WORKKEY www.workkeys.com


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Information for Lifes Transitions
Nationally-known not-for-profit 200 million
organization Headquarters in Iowa City, IA with
regional offices across the country Assessment
and research organization-- ACT Assessment
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Education and Training
Delivery System
EMPLOYERS
HIGH
ONE STOP CENTERS
SCHOOLS
CAREER ACADEMIES
ADULT
EDUCATION
COMMUNITY
4-YEAR COLLEGES
COLLEGES
CUSTOMIZED TRAINING
WELFARE-

TO-WORK
COMMUNITY- BASED ORGANIZATIONS
TECH
PREP
PRISONS
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ACTs National Goal
To create a nationally-recognized SYSTEM for the
assessment and improvement of work-related
skills that is EQUALLY meaningful for employers
and for education and training.
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Three
Components
Job Profiling What skills and skill
levels are needed in todays jobs/occupations? Sk
ill Assessments What work skills and skill levels
does an individual currently have? Need
Determination How can any skill gaps be addressed
in education training programs?
5
4
4
4
3
3
3
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PROFILING PROCESS
IMPORTANCE
TASKS CRITICAL TO THE JOB
ALL TASKS
RELATIVE TIME SPENT
PROFILE
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• Listening (L)
• Reading for Information (RI)
• Writing (W)
• Business Writing (BW)
• Applied Mathematics (AM)
• Applied Technology (AT)
• Locating Information (LI)
• Observation (O)
• Teamwork (TW)
• Performance (under development) Talent
  (under development
• Fit (under development)

Communication Skills
Problem-Solving Skills
Interpersonal Skills
Readiness Screening Instrument
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Occupational Profiles Database

• 432 occupational profiles based on more than
  4,827 job profiles across the country during the
  last five years
• Linked to ONET, the new national occupational
  classification system
• On website for free at www.workkeys.com

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Applied Mathematics
Because these data are based on WorkKeys users,
they may not be nationally representative and
should be interpreted cautiously..
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What Skill Levels are needed for 30, 70 90
of the job profiles?
Work Skill
30 70 90

• Applied Mathematics 3 4 5
• Reading For Information 3 4 5
• Locating Information 3 4 5

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Three
Components
Job Profiling What skills and skill
levels are needed in todays occupations? Skill
Assessments What work skills and skill levels
does an individual currently have? Need
Determination How can any skill gaps be addressed
in education training programs?
5
4
4
4
3
3
3
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Work Skill Assessments

• Not Normative
• Work-related, Timed, Secure
• Certification of Skills Levels
• Paper-Pencil, Video, Audio, Spanish,
• and Computer-Based
• Meets EEOC Guidelines
• Used in Any Combination
• Two Forms (for pre/post testing)
• On DOLs Common Measures List
• On DOEs Ability To Benefit List

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Fresno Workforce BoardEmployment Skills Profile
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Fresno Workforce Board Employment Skills Profile
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(No Transcript)
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Potential Statewide/Nationwide Portability Career
Readiness Certificates
Initiated Under Development

Indiana Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Missouri North
Carolina New Mexico Oklahoma Virginia Alabama
Colorado Michigan Ohio South Carolina Tennessee We
st Virginia Florida Georgia
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Three
Components
Job Profiling What skills and skill
levels are needed in todays occupations? Skill
Assessments What work skills and skill levels
does an individual currently have? Need
Determination How can any skill gaps be addressed
in education training programs?
5
4
4
4
3
3
3
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Training Support

• Targets for Instruction
• Designed to help develop curriculum and training
  strategies by providing
• sample work-based tasks and problems for each
  skill level
• examples of skill building strategies
• resource lists
• detailed descriptions of the skill levels

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Instructional Resource Providers
Some publishers of basic skills curriculum
have developed Work Keys curriculum

• WIN (www.W-WIN.com)
• KeyTrain (www.keytrain.com)

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Career Readiness Certificate Program Why Use
WorkKeys Assessment?

• 1. Based on Work Skills Needed Across the Economy
• 2. Meaningful to Employers, the Job
  Seeker/Student, and the
• Education and Training System
• 3. Based on Objective, Certifiable,
  Valid/Reliable Assessment Results
• 4. Clearly Indicates Work Skill Levels Needed for
  a Majority of Jobs
• 5. Tied to Education/Training Programs Targeted
  to Improve Skill Levels
• 6. Potential Statewide/Nationwide Portability
  ACT soon to
• introduce National Career Ready Certificate
  Initiative (Sept. 15)

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Career Readiness Certificate Program Results
Common Language

• Employers get meaningful evidence of work skills
• Education/training get clear understanding of
  skill levels needed for workplace success
• Citizens rewarded for achieving needed
• work skill levels

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Career Readiness Certificate Program Results
Common Language

• State/community begins to create and recognize an
  integrated workforce delivery system
• State/community is better positioned to attract
• and retain employers

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Education and Training
Delivery System
EMPLOYERS
HIGH
ONE STOP CENTERS
SCHOOLS
CAREER ACADEMIES
ADULT
EDUCATION
WorkKeys-Based Certificate
COMMUNITY
4-YEAR COLLEGES
COLLEGES
CUSTOMIZED TRAINING
WELFARE-

TO-WORK
COMMUNITY- BASED ORGANIZATIONS
TECH
PREP
PRISONS