Gretchen PettetEast Central College, Center for Workforce Development

Mapping the route to workforce competitiveness in Franklin County

Missouri’sCertified Work Ready Communities

By strengthening our local workforceFranklin Countycan prosperand grow!

• Recap of National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC)

• Overview of Certified Work Ready Communities

• Next Steps• Wrap Up

Agenda

Recap of National Career Readiness Certificate

(NCRC)

• Evidence-based• Industry-

recognized• Portable• Certifies essential

skills important for workplace success

• Awarded at four levels:

Bronze Silver Gold Platinum

The NCRC is a credential that is:

NCRC Documents these Skills . . .

Reading for Information Measures skill used when reading written text

Applied MathematicsMeasures skill in applying mathematical reasoning, critical thinking and problem-solving techniques

Locating Information

Measures skill in working with workplace graphics to find and analyze information

Certificatesare awardedby achieving

a minimum

Level 3score on all

assessments

Level 4score on all

assessments

Level 5score on all

assessments

Level 6score on all

assessments

Skill levels demonstrate

ability for*

16% of jobs

67% of jobs

93% of jobs

99% of jobs

Sample Occupation Correlation

• Auto Body Repair Technician

• Veterinary Assistant

• Janitorial Supervisor

• Drywall Installer• Pharmacy Aid

• Administrative Manager

• Head Cook• Medical Assistant• Engineering

Technician• Machinist

• School Counselor • Pharmacy

Technician • Semi-Conductor

Processor • Business

Executive • Electrician

• Accountant • Technical Writer • Sales Manager • Registered Nurse

Manager• Elevator Installer

and Repairer

Certificate Levels

Benefits to Employers

• Demonstrate skills of the job seeker• Reduces time and hiring cost• Reduces turnover• Reduces training time• Improves quality of new hires• Increases productivity

Testing Availability• East Central College (Career/Technical Ed)

• MO Manufacturing Wins• MO Health Wins

• East Central Missouri Consortium Career Preparation Certificate• Four Rivers Area Career Center

• Missouri Career Centers• Free of charge for all job seekers who register

Employers Requiring• CG Power Systems, Washington• American Plastics, Union• Graphic Packaging, Pacific

What’s currently in place?

Overview of Certified Work Ready Communities

What is the Certified Work Ready Community Initiative?

An initiative to develop a protocol to promote the WorkKeys system as a valuable tool for evaluation of the local workforce.

By utilizing the NCRC, Franklin County will be able to attract, retain and develop a workforce with the education and foundational skills to succeed in the 21st century.

Links workforce development to educationMatches individuals to jobs based on skill level Aligns with the economic development needs of

communities, regions and states

Achievement of Certified Work Ready Community status recognizes that:

A county can provide and deliver a quality workforce with the skills employers need to be “work ready”

Goals have been met for individuals in the local workforce earning a National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC)

Goals have been met for local business engagement- either recognizing, preferring or recommending the NCRC

What does it mean?

Economic Developers and Community LeadersCan quantify the skill level of their workforce for attracting new business ventures or “growing” their own

Business and IndustryCan quickly identify, hire and skill up a workforce to enhance productivity and over all increase ROI

IndividualsCan quantify and demonstrate to current and future employers how they meet a company position

EducatorsMeasure skill gaps of students and build career pathways that benefit both individuals and business

What’s in this for Key Stakeholders?

The Certified Work Ready Community is a voluntary initiative guided by key community leaders in our county.

How does It Work in each County?

Franklin County’s Leadership Team

Role Organization Name CommunityLocal Business Henniges Kevin Carpenter New Haven  American Plastics Fred Martels Union  CG Powers Brandy Hagedorn WashingtonEconomic Development City of Washington *Darren Lamb Washington  City of Union *Joey Graves Union

City of Sullivan J.T. Hardy Sullivan  City of New Haven Steve Roth New HavenChambers of Commerce St. Clair Chamber Angela Crawford St. Clair  Pacific Chamber Fran Kopsky PacificK-12 Education Union School District Steve Bryant Union  Four Rivers *Andy Robison WashingtonLocal Elected Officials Franklin County John Grieseheimer Franklin

CountyWorkforce Investment Board

GH Tool Julie Scannell Washington

  WIB Director Shirley Wilson County  DWD *Donna Mantle CountyCommunity College East Central College *Gretchen Pettet Union  East Central College Dr. Jon Bauer  

Next Steps

Develop a protocol to promote the WorkKeys system as a valuable tool for evaluation of local workforce

Enroll businesses in county to promote/use NCRC

Employer partnership letters

Encourage recognition of/enthusiasm for Certified Work Ready Communities with entire community by explaining benefits for individuals, businesses, and state

Leadership Team

Each county has goals for the # of NCRC’s achieved/awarded.

Franklin County’s Goals are:

National Career Readiness Goals

Workforce Goals 11/1/12 Current

Emerging (those preparing to graduate)

256 40 45

Current(those currently employed)

17 42 61

Transitioning(those seeking new employment)

176 80 145

TOTALS 449 162 251

Tracking our progress

Tracking our progress

Employer Engagement is Key

“Business supporting” means a company is agreeing to recognize, prefer or recommend the NCRC in hiring

Obtain signed Partnership Letters from supporting businesses -- company name will be listed on CWRC state site and ACT national site

Goals are based on county size and 2010 census information

Partnership Letter

Fillable PDF form

Available online or from a member of the leadership team http://jobs.mo.gov/employer

Employer Engagement

American Plastics GroupCG Power Systems USA, Inc.G.H. Tool & Mold, Inc.Intek CorporationPLZ Aeroscience CorporationTown & Country MetalsHenniges AutomotiveSt. Clair Chamber of CommerceFranklin CountyEast Central CollegeInnovative Machine & Tool, Inc.

Current Franklin County Employer Supporters

Hellebush Tool & DieAdvanced Sight CenterFrick’s Quality MeatsEnduro Binders, Inc.Manpower, Inc.Washington Area Chamber of CommerceAce ManufacturingMeramec GroupMetalcraft Enterprises

Washington City CouncilEast Central College Board of TrusteesUnion Development CorporationJeff/Frank Workforce Investment BoardWashington Civic Industrial Corporation Washington Chamber of CommerceUnion R-XI School District

Other Franklin County Supporters

Endorsing the CWRC

Missouri Economic Development Council

State Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Associated Industries of Missouri-AIM

Endorsing the CWRC

Missouri School Boards Association

Missouri Community College Association

Missouri Workforce Investment Board (MoWIB)

Platform for Regional Cooperation and Economic Competitiveness

Strengthen/expand existing businesses

Retain businesses and attract new business

Close skill gaps by qualifying our workforce

Keep our young people in Missouri

Why This is Important

As a group, pass a resolution or motion of your support

Sign a partnership letter on behalf of your business or organization

Consider preferring the NCRC when you hire

Schedule an appointment to learn more

At the very least recognize and acknowledge if an applicant says they have their NCRC.

What can you do?

Wrap Up

ded.mo.gov/getcertified

Gretchen Pettet, East Central College, Center for Workforce Development 636-239-0598

gapettet@eastcentral.edu

Mapping your route to workforce competitiveness

For Additional For Additional InformationInformation