12/1/2009
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Gov. Joe Manchin today celebrated a milestone with the statewide work force credentialing program, WorkKeys, along with representatives from WorkForce West Virginia and partner agencies.
WorkKeys is a job skills assessment system developed by ACT, the same company that does testing for college applicants, that evaluates on-the-job skills for job seekers in West Virginia. This certificate offers nationally recognized credentials and helps individuals improve and match their skill levels with particular occupations.
Since the program launched in October 2008, more than 10,000 certificates have been issued.
“WorkKeys is a win-win tool for both employers and job seekers,” said Gov. Manchin. “The assessments help satisfy our employers’ demands for certain types of employees or skills, making sure that the job seeker is a good match for the company. This helps reduce employee turnover and increase worker retention, in addition to providing job seekers with an objective way to demonstrate their skill levels to prospective employers.”
Individuals who take the assessments and demonstrate their job readiness levels receive a Career Readiness Certificate signed by the governor. A gold certificate denotes the highest scores, followed by silver and bronze certificates. Job seekers who want to improve their scores can get help before retaking the test.
“A Career Readiness Certificate program like WorkKeys enables educators, economic developers and businesses to work together toward our common goal of a well-trained work force,” said Russell Fry, acting executive director at WorkForce West Virginia.
The Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation has been instrumental in supporting WorkForce West Virginia's efforts to promote WorkKeys. Other essential partners include West Virginia University at Parkersburg, the West Virginia Department of Education, regional Workforce Investment Boards and ACT.
The Governor’s Career Readiness Certificate partnerships continue to expand. This year, WorkForce West Virginia entered into an agreement with the West Virginia Department of Education and the Regional Education Service Agency (RESA) to provide KeyTrain Career Skills at all WorkForce West Virginia Career Centers. Using KeyTrain, participants can assess their potential WorkKeys score, review topics in each skill area and practice problems similar to those on WorkKeys assessments.
Additionally, WorkForce West Virginia now has three ACT-authorized job profilers. Employers can make reliable, EEOC compliant decisions about hiring, training and program development by matching job profile information with individual scores on the WorkKeys assessments.
For more information about WorkKeys, visit www.workforcewv.org or contact your local WorkForce West Virginia Career Center.
Contact Information
Jama L Jarrett
304-558-2003 x 341