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We’re Career Ready – Are You?
Centralina Reaches Goal of Having Career Readiness Certification available Region-wide
One of the key goals of the Centralina Workforce Development Board is to Increase Workforce Readiness. Recognizing that the most important asset we have is human intelligence and ability, the Board is working to ensure that our workforce can adapt quickly to the changing demands of the global workplace through their abilities to use information, think analytically, work in teams, and be proficient in the use of technology. To this end, the Centralina WDB made the implementation and use of the Career Readiness Certification program and Work Keys assessment in all seven counties in the region a top priority.
As reported in our January 2007 E-Newsletter, the Career Readiness Certification (CRC) is a state program that is designed to equip individuals with a recognizable skill certification that facilitates job placement, retention, and advancement. The Career Readiness Certification helps to ensure a community workforce that is prepared for the jobs of the future, as well as jobs that sustain the current economic base.
There are three levels of certificates awarded, Bronze, Silver, and Gold, all based on WorkKeys Assessments. These assessments can be used by any entity concerned about the employability skills of current and future employees. Test results provide valuable information for individuals, employers, colleges, JobLink Career Centers, and skills training programs. To see a perfect example of a employer using the WorkKeys Assessment tool to test their current workforce, please click here for an article in our Business Section of the E-Newsletter.
The latest college to implement the CRC program, Stanly Community College, held a kick-off breakfast at Stanly Regional Medical Center in Albemarle on May 17 to inform the public about the North Carolina National Career Readiness Certification Program, sanctioned through the WorkKeys and ACT Organization and the NC Community College System in partnership with the Centralina WDB and the JobLink Career Center system.
“SCC is very fortunate, because we are one of 34 sites in North Carolina that can offer the Career Readiness Certificate program,” said SCC President Dr. Michael Taylor.
Dr. Taylor added “our faculty and staff do an excellent job in working with individuals, not just to complete a GED program or an Associate Degree, but to see larger possibilities. Our mission is to help those individuals move on and not just attain credentials, but get the skills they need to be competitive in today’s workforce.” It should be noted that the Centralina Workforce Development Board is adding local funding to the state grant to assist Stanly Community College in fully implementing the CRC program.
Stanly Community College is not the only college that recently started the Career Readiness Certification Program. South Piedmont Community College, with funding assistance from the Centralina Workforce Development Board, will launch their CRC Program for Anson County with a kick-off breakfast meeting on Thursday May 31st at the college’s Lockhart-Taylor Center in Wadesboro. Implementation of the CRC program at South Piedmont Community College’s campus in Union County will occur this summer.
With the launch of the two new sites at Stanly Community College and South Piedmont Community College the Career Readiness Certificate Program is available to every business and job seeker in the Centralina region. Other sites that already offering the program (with additional funding assistance provided by the Centralina WDB) are Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, Mitchell Community College, and Gaston College – Lincoln Campus. Job seekers can pre-test for the CRC program at the local JobLink Career Centers in the region.
This was the goal that the Centralina Workforce Development Board set for itself and the goal has been achieved. Through the implementation of this program throughout the region it can guarantee a well prepared and qualified workforce. A well prepared and qualified workforce leads to economic development and an overall better quality of life in the region.
If you are a job seeker and would like to get started on the process of getting your Career Readiness Certificate to better market your skills to a new employer or to your current one, please contact your local JobLink Career Center. The staff at the JobLink Center can help you get started with the pre-assessment and the WorkKeys assessment, as well as connect you to your local community college to get your certificate. To find your local JobLink Career Center please click here.
If you are an employer and would like to talk with someone more about the WorkKeys Assessment and the Career Readiness Certification please contact your local JobLink Career Center. The staff at the JobLink Center can explain the assessment and the certificate and fit it to your business and your needs. To find your local JobLink Career Center please click here.
The Centralina Workforce Development Board is proud to partner with the JobLink Career Centers and the region’s community colleges to help train the workforce for the future. The Board promotes continuous training and continuous improvement for all businesses and job seekers in the region. For more information on the Centralina Workforce Development Board or the CRC program, please contact David Hollars at (704) 348-2717 or by email at dhollars@centralina.org. |
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© Centralina Workforce Development Board, 2007
Proud Partner with JobLink Career Centers |
