Colleagues, 

Perhaps this exchange on Work Keys and the Work Readiness Credential is
of interest to folks on the list.  This discussion is taking place on
the Workplace Literacy Discussion List; subscribe or view the archives
at http://www.nifl.gov/mailman/listinfo/Workplace/

Marie Cora

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> We seem to have two sets of standards in Workplace Literacy.  Some 

> states are adopting the WorkKeys Career Readiness Certificate.  Other 

> states are adopting the National Work Readiness Credential.  Is one 

> preferable to the other?  Why create the National Work Readiness 

> Credential when WorkKeys is already so well established?  I would like

> to see some discussion on this issue.

>  

> Thank you,

> Jennifer

>   

> Jennifer Coplin

> Aztec Learning Software / East Coast Learning

> 6071 Bob Daniel Road

> Oxford, NC 27565

> Ph 888 615 8301

> Fx 919 603 1878

> jennifer at eastcoastlearning.com <mailto:jennifer at eastcoastlearning.com>

> www.aztecsoftware.com <http://www.aztecsoftware.com/>

>


*********************************

I asked Tonya Crum, Director of Workforce Development & Training at 
Kentucky Educational Television to respond to Jennifer's question, and 
here is her response:


> It's not a good idea to compare the two.  They are two different

> assessments.

> 

> WorkKeys Career Readiness Certificate assesses in the areas of Applied

> Math, Reading for Information and Locating Information.

> 

> The National Work Readiness Credential (NWC) assesses Communication,

> Interpersonal, Decision Making, and Lifelong Learning Skills for entry

> level jobs.  NWC is more attainable for the students we serve in our

> adult education programs.

> 

> As to whether WorkKeys is so well established, it is not so in all

> areas or states.

> 

> (This is from a Kentucky practitioner's point of view.)


Joyce Probus

***********************************

There's a recent report available that looks at various work readiness
credentials/certificates including Work Keys and NWRC. 

See the Report online at
http://www.jff.org/JFF_KC_Pages.php?WhichLevel=1&lv1_id=4&lv2_id=0&lv3_i
d=0KC_M_ID=315

A Survey of Selected Work Readiness Certificates (Jobs for the Future,
2007)

The United Way of Rhode Island asked JFF to prepare a scan of work
readiness certificates that have emerged throughout the United States in
recent years. A Survey of Selected Work Readiness Certificate Models, by
JFF's Norma Rey-Alicea and Geri Scott, summarizes five of the nation's
many work readiness certificates, which are representative of the
diverse range of such initiatives in terms of target population,
certification requirements, geography, and other factors. The report
highlights issues that stakeholders should consider in determining which
approaches would most benefit their state's unique demographics,
economy, and political landscape.

Mindy Detzler 

National Youth Employment Coalition 
ph: 202-659-1064 
md at nyec.org