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Region Hosts Pilot Study of National Work Readiness Credential Assessment Tools |
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The Workforce Development Board of Okaloosa and Walton Counties hosted a pilot study of the assessment tools developed to measure the readiness of an individual to successfully enter the workplace. Eight sites were selected nationwide to participate in this phase of the development of the Equipped for the Future (EFF) Work Readiness Credential. Region 2 was selected as the host site in Florida.
The April 22, 2005 study, held at the Common Campus (formerly Okaloosa Applied Technology Center) in Fort Walton Beach, evaluated three assessments: A Situational Judgment Test, Math Assessment and Reading Assessment. Entry level workers with less than 6 months of work experience participated in the study by completing the initial forms of the assessments and giving feedback about the tests. Supervisors of entry level workers completed portions of the Situational Judgment Test and participated in a feedback session. The results from the 8 pilot sites will determine whether or not the assessments cover important workplace skills and whether or not the process of completing the assessments is effective. The results will also help determine which items from the initial assessments will appear in the final versions.
In recent years employers have consistently found that a sizable percentage of job applicants are severely lacking in basic workplace skills. To help bridge the gap national and state leaders in business, government, and labor have come together to build a credential for assuring that jobseekers have the knowledge, skills, and abilities they need to succeed in the 21st Century Workplace. This is the EFF Work Readiness Credential.
The credentialing process is based on a nationally validated profile of what entry-level workers need to be able to do. Hundreds of front line supervisors from a wide range of industry sectors, including supervisors from Okaloosa and Walton Counties, helped make sure the profile reflected their needs. Stakeholders from all across the workforce system have helped validate this profile.
The three assessments were then developed to determine whether or not an applicant meets the validated profile. The assessments will |
Equipped for the Future (EFF) Pyramid of Learning
measure skills such as observing critically, cooperating with others, resolving conflict and negotiating, using math to solve problems and communicate, solving problems and making decisions, taking responsibility for learning, and reading with understanding.
The final phase in the development of this credential will be to develop and field test the support materials and credential delivery system. When fully implemented, employers can count on the credential to identify a pool of qualified candidates for entry level jobs and job seekers can rely upon the credential to demonstrate that they have the knowledge and skills required for success in entry-level jobs. Implementation of the credentialing process is expected in 2006.
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For additional information visit the Equipped for the Future Work Readiness Credential website. |
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