An official proclamation signed by Governor Nixon designating March 17, 2011 as “Career Readiness Day,” and a statewide summit of workforce and education practitioners will herald Missouri’s launch of a new National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC). NCRC is a new initiative administered by the Missouri Department of Economic Development’s Division of Workforce Development (DWD) that will help the state’s businesses and workers be more competitive.
The proclamation calls development of a well-prepared workforce “vital to the future success of our state, its people and its businesses,” and outlines how usage of the NCRC will make it easier for businesses to access talented workers.
Issued by ACT (American College Testing) and offered through the state’s 43 Missouri Career Centers and network of community colleges, the NCRC is a portable evidence-based credential that measures essential workplace skills and is a reliable predictor of workplace success. Job seekers can achieve a certificate in one of four levels — bronze, silver, gold and platinum — by successfully passing a series of skills assessments. Businesses can then consider the certificate among applicants’ résumé and other qualifications to select the employee who will have the best skills match for the job.
“States that best address their workforce training issues are states that are in the best position to move their economies forward,” said David Kerr, Director of the Missouri Department of Economic Development. “Under Governor Nixon’s leadership, Missouri has demonstrated an increased commitment to job training, as illustrated by the millions of dollars our administration has invested into training and education. The NCRC is another example of our commitment to a well-prepared workforce.”
An NCRC Summit held Thursday at the Governor’s Office Building in Jefferson City brought together leaders and practitioners from all of Missouri’s community colleges and workforce investment regions to strategize how to use the certificate to prepare a 21st century workforce for employers. The Summit featured practical implementation advice from the leader of the state of Michigan’s highly successful NCRC efforts. The Southwest and Jefferson-Franklin WIB regions presented local best practices through panel presentations.
Missouri’s NCRC initiative is being led by Molly Tallarico of DWD, the agency that administers the Missouri Career Center system in cooperation with the state’s 14 workforce investment boards. To learn more about the NCRC, visit the official website at www.ded.mo.gov/ncrc or call the nearest Missouri Career Center at (888) 728–JOBS (5627).