According to a recent survey from the John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development, only 30 percent of high school graduates without post-secondary instruction obtain full-time employment. To better prepare future graduates for opportunities after high school, Graduation Alliance announces its collaboration with ACT to offer the WorkKeys job skill tests and the National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC) as part of its diploma program.
WorkKeys and NCRC certification are the first in a series of stackable credentials that will be offered by Graduation Alliance to prepare students for opportunities in the high-demand fields of Information Technology, Manufacturing, Construction and Health Sciences. This new offering significantly enhances the value of Graduation Alliance’s Dropout Recovery and Workforce Diploma programs that serve individuals who lack a high school diploma and provide outcomes that lead to a better education and better job prospects.
“The data shows that in today’s economy, a high school diploma is essential, but a diploma alone isn’t sufficient to attain a sustainable livable wage job,” said Ron Klausner, CEO of Graduation Alliance. “Our collaboration with ACT is an endorsement of the critical work we’re doing, and underscores the importance of our focus on job readiness and workforce development.”
WorkKeys assessments have been used for more than two decades to measure essential workplace skills and help individuals build career pathways. “Specialized industries will continue to focus their candidate search to identify the most skilled individuals,” said Paul Weeks, ACT senior vice president of client relations. “Like our colleagues at Graduation Alliance, we’re deeply committed to creating the career pathways that enable students to become those ideal candidates and secure rewarding careers.”
The WorkKeys assessments and NCRC certification are initially being offered now in Ohio through Graduation Alliance’s collaboration with the Montgomery County Education Service Center. To learn more about Graduation Alliance’s Workforce Diploma Program, visit http://www.graduationalliance.com/workforce.
About Graduation Alliance
Graduation Alliance strengthens communities, states and the economy by preparing and empowering tomorrow’s workforce. Through highly effective postsecondary planning, alternative education, and workforce training programs, Graduation Alliance ensures every student has an opportunity to succeed during and after high school. For more information about Graduation Alliance, visit http://www.graduationalliance.com.
About ACT, Inc.
ACT, Inc.’s programs are designed to boost lifelong learning and potential for success in schools and workplaces around the world. ACT’s products and services guide students along their learning paths; enable companies to develop their workforce; foster parent, teacher, and counselor understanding of student progress; guide job seekers toward career success; and inform policymakers about education and workforce issues. For more information about ACT and its offerings, visit http://www.act.org.