WorkKeys opens the door to a better workforce

What if there was a tool that job seekers could use to show a business their strengths and skill levels? What if businesses could streamline the hiring process by receiving accurate information about an applicant’s real abilities? What if school districts could better motivate students to excel on Prairie State Achievement Examination (PSAE) testing, boosting scores and ensuring greater compliance with No Child Left Behind?

Such a tool does exist, and it’s known as WorkKeys. WorkKeys is a job skills assessment system that allows businesses to assess “real world” skills that are critical for success in the workplace. WorkKeys scores demonstrate whether an employee has the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed on the job, leading to better workplace matches between business and the workforce.

That’s a win-win situation for businesses, employees, and the clients and customers they serve.

The good news is that WorkKeys testing is already in place in Illinois. High school juniors already take the Applied Math and Reading for Information WorkKeys tests as part of the annual PSAE testing. A business may request an applicant’s scores to determine whether that person has the skills necessary to succeed on the job.

ACT, an international leader in educational testing and workforce development services, created WorkKeys. ACT is best known for creating the ACT college entrance exam, taken by millions of high school students every year. Colleges and universities review ACT test scores to determine whether a student will succeed academically at their institution. Now businesses can have this same advantage in the hiring process.

For more information about WorkKeys and how to apply test scores to the hiring process, contact Cynthia Garcia, System Director, Madison County Career & Technical Education System at (618)656-0415 or cgarcia@ecusd7.org or Linda Odle, Business Services Representative, Madison County Employment and Training, (618) 296-4456, lodle@mcetd.org.