The Kansas WORKReady!
Certificate
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What Employers Want?
• Consistently identify the right applicants
that can do the job!
• Increase their new-hire success rate
• Shorten on-the-job training time
• Reduce employee turnover
• Decrease production costs
What is WorkKeys®?
• An assessment system developed by ACT
• Measures basic transferable, work-place skills
• Skills are communicated to businesses using
the Kansas WORKReady! Certificate
• 42 other states have the certificates
“In the 1950’s, ACT created a nationally
recognized, standardized resource for
college entrance. Now, we’re doing the
same thing for the workforce.”
- Richard L. Ferguson, CEO and Chairman of ACT
WorkKeys® Assessments
Three Assessments:
• Applied Mathematics
• Locating Information
• Reading for Information
Goal with WorkKeys®
1. To create a nationally-recognized
SYSTEM
for the assessment and improvement
of work-related skills that is
EQUALLY MEANINGFUL
for employers,
educators and job seekers.
2. To create a Certified Workforce
Education and
Training
Delivery
System
EMPLOYERS
HIGH
ONE STOP
CENTERS
SCHOOLS
CAREER
ADULT
ACADEMIES
EDUCATION
COMMUNITY
4-YEAR
COLLEGES
COLLEGES
CUSTOMIZED
TRAINING
WELFARETO-WORK
TECH
PREP
PRISONS
COMMUNITYBASED
ORGANIZATIONS
WorkKeys® Assessments
Three Assessments:
• Applied Mathematics (3-7)
• Locating Information (3-6)
• Reading for Information (3-7)
WorkKeys®
What are the levels needed for jobs profiled by
WorkKeys®?
WorkKeys® Level
Job Title
Refrigeration Tech.
Registered Nurse
Accountant
Math (3-7)
4
4
6
Loc Info (3-6)
4
4
5
Read Info (3-6)
4
5
5
WorkKeys® Applied Math Level 5 = ACT Score 18-21
WorkKeys® Reading Score Level 5 = ACT Score 19-23
WorkKeys®
What are the levels needed for jobs profiled by
WorkKeys®?
Work Skill
Applied Mathematics
Percentage of Jobs
30% 70% 90%
3
4
5
(Range 3 – 7)
Reading for Information
3
4
5
3
4
5
(Range 3 – 7)
Locating Information
(Range 3 – 6)
WorkKeys® Sample Questions
Level 3 – Locating Information
You regularly check the pressure gauge on a large tank. According to
the gauge shown, what is the current pressure (in PSI)?
A. 30
B. 35
C. 40
D. 45
E. 100
WorkKeys® Sample Questions
Level 3 – Applied Math
In your job as a cashier, a customer gives you a $20 bill to pay
for a can of coffee that costs $3.84. How much change should
you give back?
A. $15.26
B. $16.16
C. $16.26
D. $16.84
E. $17.16
WorkKeys® Sample Questions
Level 3 – Reading for Information
Logan City Mall has hired a new garbage collection company. Speedy
Sanitation, Inc. will be collecting garbage from all businesses starting
next Monday. Collection days will not change. The pick-up time will
be one hour later. Each business will be given one blue garbage can to
use. Each business may ask for 2 extra garbage cans. You may have a
total of 3 garbage cans. You will not need yellow collection tags
anymore. Full garbage cans must weigh less than 30 pounds. Put your
garbage in bags before putting it in the garbage cans. Put your garbage
cans in the alley behind your business's back door.
Based on the memo shown, starting next Monday, what is the greatest
number of garbage cans each business is allowed to have?
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 15
WorkKeys® Sample Questions
Level 6: Locating Information
WorkKeys® Sample Questions
Level 7 Applied Mathematics
The farm where you just started working has a vertical
cylindrical oil tank that is 2.5 feet across on the inside. The
depth of the oil in the tank is 2 feet. If 1 cubic foot of space
holds 7.48 gallons, about how many gallons of oil are left in
the tank?
A. 37
B. 59
C. 73
D. 230
E. 294
Kansas
WORKReady! Certificate
Work Skill
Applied Mathematics
WorkKeys® Scores
3
4
5
6
(Range 3 – 7)
Reading for Information
3
4
5
6
3
4
5
6
Silver
Gold
(Range 3 – 7)
Locating Information
(Range 3 – 6)
WORKReady! Certificate:
Bronze
Platinum
Skills can be communicated to businesses using the
Kansas WORKReady! Certificate
Benefits to Students
• Allows students to prove their skills to employers
• Distinguishes themselves from other job candidates
seeking the same positions
• Connects students to jobs that fit their skills and
interests
• Adds an additional credential to their Diploma and
Degree
• Allows students to determine skill gaps
Some Companies Using
WORKReady!
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Owens Corning
Clorox
KU Medical Center
KCP&L
Harley Davidson
Dow Chemical
Energizer
Northrop Grumman
Cessna
• Crossland Construction
Company
• Pitt Plastics
• Great Bend Industries
• Jupiter Ks. Inc
• Johns Manville
• Nex-Tech Aerospace
• Berry Plastics
A Few Organizations that have
Endorsed WorkKeys®
• Kansas Board of Regents
• Kansas P-20 Education Council
• Kansas Council Chamber Executives
• Kansas Economic Development Alliance
• Kansas Department of Commerce
• KC Metropolitan Health Council
• National Association of Manufacturers (NAM)
Mike Beene
State Operations Director
Kansas Dept of Commerce, Workforce Services
mbeene@kansascommerce.com
620.704.5091
kansascommerce.com
kansasworks.com