The cornerstone of the ACT ® Work Ready Communities are the ACT® WorkKeys® Assessments that consist of applied math, graphic literacy, and workplace documents. Students who successfully complete the three WorkKeys® Assessments earn the National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC). The WorkKeys NCRC is designed to complement other traditional credentials, such as a high school diploma, community college degree, or technical certificate using the results of the WorkKeys Assessments. The NCRC is a portable credential with no expiration date; it verifies to employers that a student possesses the workplace skills needed to be successful. Texarkana Arkansas School District (TASD) is proud to be a part of the process of helping to create a talent pipeline in our region to support economic development by utilizing the ACT WorkKeys curriculum and the NCRC certification so students can be job ready upon graduation from high school.” Dr. Robin Hickerson, Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Education, TASD
WORK READY COMMUNITIES The Texarkana USA Chamber of Commerce has joined forces with Miller and Bowie County, regional economic developers, employers and educational institutions to become certified ACT® Work Ready Communities (ACT® WRC). To begin the Work Ready Communities process, community leaders attended the ACT® Work Ready Communities Boot Camp, an executive leadership and training program designed and led by ACT to initiate, deploy, and drive carefully tailored efforts to improve the county’s work readiness. Leaders meet with local employers, policymakers, educators, and economic developers to reach established goals and build a sustainable WRC model to fit community needs. Work Ready Communities are those in which economic developers, employers, and educational institutions partner to determine skill gaps and use the ACT® WorkKeys® Assessments to help close the gaps in workforce. Employers and Educators are the fuel to drive successful state and county Work Ready Communities initiatives simply by recognizing the ACT® WorkKeys® National Career Readiness Certificate®. And in doing so, they will have a more qualified workforce ready to fill their jobs. SHOW YOUR SUPPORT Register your company on the ACT Work Ready Communities website. www.workreadycommunities.org/employers RECOGNIZE Your company acknowledges WorkKeys as a valuable indicator of workforce skills.
RECOMMEND Your company gives preference in hiring/promotions to candidates who have attained the ACT® WorkKeys® NCRC®.
This initiative empowers regions and counties with data, processes and goals that drive economic growth by identifying skills gaps and quantifying the skill level of their workforce. Participants leverage the ACT® WorkKeys® National Career Readiness Certificate® (ACT® WorkKeys® NCRC®) to measure and close skills gaps and build common frameworks that link, align, and match their workforce development efforts.
26 | Texarkana Community Directory | Fall 2021
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