ACT WorkKeys consists of three elements: *Job skill assessments, which are designed to measure foundational and personal skills as they apply to the workplace *Job analysis, which pinpoints or estimates skill benchmarks for specific job positions that individuals must meet through testing *Skill training, which helps individuals boost their scores

Skill assessments

ACT WorkKeys includes eight workplace skill assessments: ''Three core assessments used to earn the National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC):'' *WorkKeys Applied Math (formerly Applied Mathematics) – applying mathematical reasoning to work-related problems *WorkKeys Workplace Documents (formerly Reading for Information) – comprehending work-related reading materials such as memos, bulletins, policy manuals, and governmental regulations *WorkKeys Graphic Literacy (formerly Locating Information) – using information from sources such as diagrams,

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s, tables, forms, graphs, and charts ''Additional assessments available:'' *Applied Technology – understanding technical principles as they apply to the workplace *Business Writing – composing clear, well-developed messages relating to on-the-job situations *Fit – how interests and values correspond to a particular career *Talent – includes dependability, assertiveness, and emotional stability *Workplace Observation – paying attention to details in instructions and demonstrations

Job analysis

The job analysis component of ACT WorkKeys, known as Job Profiling, helps to set benchmarks that correspond with WorkKeys scores, giving the examinee a target score to hit in order to qualify for a job. Employers use job profiling to determine which skills are required for a job, and the level of each skill needed to perform the job successfully. This helps employers determine the standards for how an applicant must score in a particular WorkKeys skill assessment in order to be qualified for the job. In the job profiling process, ACT-licensed profilers visit with the client company or organization and determine background information on the job to be profiled and how specifically the job relates to the company. The profiler tours the company and collects materials – such as training manuals, annual reports, company newsletters – that define the company. The profiler then compiles an initial list of the tasks most relevant to the job being profiled. Subject matter experts – those who know the job best through incumbency or supervising the job – refine the list and rate each task based on two factors: importance of the task to the job and relative time spent on it. The subject matter experts then decide what minimum level of each skill is required to perform the job successfully. The examinees's score on an ACT WorkKeys test corresponds to their preparedness or the level of remedial training needed. ACT WorkKeys also offers two job analysis products that can be used without the help of a job profiler. ACT SkillMap, an online service which links job tasks to the skill levels of WorkKeys assessments, is used primarily to identify employees’ training needs. WorkKeys Estimator is a paper-and-pencil system that gives quick estimates of the WorkKeys skill levels needed for a job.

Skill training

The ACT WorkKeys system also includes computer-based and classroom-based training for individuals that corresponds with ACT WorkKeys exams. There are curricula available for every skill level of each ACT WorkKeys foundational skill exam.

Alternative versions

Some ACT WorkKeys exams are available in

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and

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versions in addition to the standard

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ACT National Career Readiness System

ACT WorkKeys exams are the foundation of the ACT National Career Readiness System, a job skills credentialing system. People can earn a
ACT National Career Readiness Certificate
by taking three ACT WorkKeys exams:

an

They are awarded certificates of Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze levels, depending on their test scores.
ACT press release, September 27, 2006. ACT website, accessed January 4, 2011. ACT estimates that people scoring at the Bronze level have the foundational skills for approximately 17% of the jobs profiled by ACT using WorkKeys. A Silver score indicates skills for approximately 69% of those jobs profiled, a Gold for 93% of the jobs, and a Platinum 99% of the jobs.

Statewide and community adoptions

Several states, communities, and cities have adopted ACT WorkKeys as part of their economic development or educational initiatives.

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and

Michigan Michigan () is a U.S. state, state in the Great Lakes region, Great Lakes region of the Upper Midwest, upper Midwestern United States. With a population of nearly 10.12 million and an area of nearly , Michigan is the List of U.S. states and ...

have made ACT WorkKeys exams part of their state

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requirements. Starting in 2001, two ACT WorkKeys tests, Applied Mathematics and Reading for Information, became part of the

Prairie State Achievement Examination The Prairie State Achievement Examination (PSAE) was a two-day standardized test taken by all high school Juniors in the U.S. state of Illinois. On the first day, students take the ACT, and on the second day, a WorkKeys examination and Illinois ...

for all 11th graders in Illinois, along with the

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. In 2007, the Michigan Department of Education made the ACT WorkKeys Reading for Information and Applied Mathematics exams a part of its Michigan Merit Exam, a mandatory exam for 11th graders that also includes the ACT Test. As of 2006, 14 states were participating in the ACT National Career Readiness System and using ACT WorkKeys as part of that participation. Many states use ACT WorkKeys scores in their economic development initiatives, to demonstrate to business relocation prospects that their residents possess high job skills. These state initiatives include skill credentialing programs that are affiliated with the ACT National Career Readiness Certificate. According to ACT, 38 states were participating in the program as of 2011. The state of

Kentucky Kentucky ( , ), officially the Commonwealth of Kentucky, is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States and one of the states of the Upper South. It borders Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio to the north; West Virginia and Virginia ...

issued a Kentucky Employability Certificate to adult education participants based on their performance on three ACT WorkKeys assessments: Reading for Information, Applied Mathematics, and Locating Information. In 2010, Kentucky switched to the National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC) as part of its statewide realignment of education, economic development and workforce development known as WorkSmart Kentucky

North Carolina North Carolina () is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States. The state is the 28th largest and 9th-most populous of the United States. It is bordered by Virginia to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, Georgia and ...

issues a North Carolina Career Readiness Certificate on the basis of scores on the same three ACT WorkKeys components. The South Carolina Department of Education requires some career education teachers to validate their competency in basic skills by obtaining specified minimum scores on the ACT WorkKeys assessments of Reading for Information, Applied Mathematics, and Writing.

Use by employers

ACT WorkKeys is used by many business organizations. Companies that have required some or all job applicants to submit WorkKeys scores include: * CME Automotive *

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Eastman Chemical Eastman Chemical Company is an American company primarily involved in the chemical industry. Once a subsidiary of Kodak, today it is an independent global specialty materials company that produces a broad range of advanced materials, chemicals and ...

* Hemlock Semiconductor *

Northrop Grumman Northrop Grumman Corporation is an American multinational aerospace and defense technology company. With 90,000 employees and an annual revenue in excess of $30 billion, it is one of the world's largest weapons manufacturers and military techn ...

Ship Systems * WestRock Company Paper and Packaging Solutions.

References

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External links

WorkKeys

National Career Readiness Certificate

Michigan National Career Readiness Certificate

SC Department of Employment and Workforce
Standardized tests in the United States Recruitment