In order to meet the needs of a changing workplace in the 21st century global economy, the US Chamber of Commerce, encouraged by national advisors to the National Institute for Literacy, conducted research into the emerging needs of communities, businesses, and industry. Through the joint efforts of the US Chamber of Commerce, National Institute of Literacy, Institute for Educational Leadership, National Association of Manufacturers, National Governors Association, National Retail Federation Foundation, Junior Achievement Worldwide, and policymakers from Florida, New Jersey, New York, Washington, Rhode Island, and the District of Columbia; the foundation for the Work Readiness Credential was created.
The National Work Readiness Credential focuses on a cross-industry foundation of work-ready skills not specific to an occupation to show that jobseekers have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to succeed in entry-level work. The Credential is achieved after candidates pass computer delivered tests in reading, math, situational judgment, and oral language.
The NWRC program was created to enable job seekers to be well prepared to enter the workforce with the necessary skills to not only succeed in entry level work, but to prepare for future training and continued growth and success in the workplace. The National Institute for Literacy’s Equipped for the Future Skills (EFF) offers a foundation for standards based instruction and assessment, certifying that candidates for the Work Readiness Credential are assessed on the skills needed in an emerging marketplace.
The National Work Readiness Credential is built around 16 Equipped for the Future Skills (EFF). Ten core EFF skills form the framework of the NWRC preparation program; with Take Responsibility for Learning as the skill that drives the instruction and learning in all test areas. These core EFF Skills have been incorporated into lessons created for each of the four test areas:
Taking Responsibility for Learning skills prepare learners to be life long learners. Students in the NWRC preparation program identify and use information on personal learning styles, practice skills in authentic settings, and develop a professional portfolio that reflects their growth and change as they progress in education and training. Learners engage in activities that support personal growth in carrying out their roles as citizen and community member, parent and family member, and worker.
The New York State Department of Labor has developed a free, online service to help people with their career planning and job search called NYJobZone. Students will use this website and follow a process to help them make decisions about appropriate career choices. Students will update their Education and Employment Preparation Plan throughout the process to identify action steps, including training and education programs that will help them obtain employment. Important documents will be kept for their professional portfolio. The process will include the following steps:
The NWRC curriculum is designed to promote the following principles: alignment with NYSED Learning Standards, skill based instruction within Equipped for the Future Skills Wheel, student centered instruction and learning in authentic settings, documentation of student progress through process and outcome assessments, and curriculum design based on professional, peer reviewed research.
Role Maps serve as a guide for instruction within the areas of citizen and community member, parent and family member, and worker. The role maps are designed to address all aspects of a confident and successful person. Students will have instruction and practice which focus around each of the skills delineated within the role map framework. The EFF skills are aligned with the key activities outlined within this framework. The process of integrating the concepts within each role map will include the following steps: