National Work Readiness Credential

Curriculum Overview

While there are no eligibility requirements to take the NWRC test, preparation for success has been built into the initial research and construction of the NWRC course. The NWRC is built around 10 foundational skills entitled Equipped for the Future or EFF. Of these 10 skills, Take Responsibility for Learning is the skill that drives the instruction and learning in all test areas. The ten foundational EFF skills have been incorporated into lessons created for each of the four test areas:

  • Reading:
    • Take Responsibility for Learning
    • Read with Understanding
    • Observe Critically
    • Cooperate with Others
    • Use Information & Communications Technology
  • Active Listening:
    • Take Responsibility for Learning
    • Speak so Others Can Understand
    • Listen Actively
  • Math:
    • Take Responsibility for Learning
    • Use Math to Solve Problems and Make Decisions
    • Use Math to Solve Problems and Communicate
  • Situational Judgment:
    • Take Responsibility for Learning
    • Resolve Conflict and Negotiate
    • Cooperate with Others

The National Work Readiness Credential curriculum is designed to promote the following principles:

  • alignment with Adult Education Learning Standards and the Secretary of Labor's Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills (SCANS)
  • skills based instruction within Equipped for the Future Skills Wheel
  • student driven instruction and learning in authentic settings
  • documentation of student progress through process and outcome assessments
  • curriculum design based on professional, peer reviewed research on adult learning

Part 1:  Career Planning
The New York State Department of Labor has developed a free, online service to help candidates with their career planning and job search called NYJobZone.  Candidates will use this website and follow a process to help them make decisions about appropriate career choices.  Candidates will develop a career plan and professional portfolio throughout the course.  The process will include the following steps:

  1. Self-exploration.  Candidates will complete online activities through NYJobZone to identify career interests and work values.  They will also use the website to identify their individual strengths, skills, and talents.
  2. Career Exploration.  Candidates will complete online activities to identify careers of interests. Included in this search will be education and training requirements, employment opportunities, and employment outlook. Candidates will keep an online job search journal.
  3. Search Education and Training Databases.  Candidates will use the site to find training opportunities and complete a college search in relation to their career interests.
  4. Build and Store Résumés.  Candidates will utilize the One Work Source Centers to enroll in various job search activities and to attend work related workshops, such as interviewing techniques and resume writing.

Part 2:  Instructional Strategies
Candidates will receive classroom instruction and distance learning assignments within each of the four NWRC test areas: Work Readiness Situational Judgment, Work Readiness Active Listening, Work Readiness Math, and Work Readiness Reading. The process will include the following steps:

  • Learning Centers. Candidates will have the opportunity to practice skills through learning activities designed to replicate workplace situations.
  • Computer Research and Document Creation. Candidates will use a computer to research a variety of sites as well as to create, store, and access documents.
  • Case Studies. Candidates will share and discuss work place situations regarding ethical and professional expectations.
  • Small Group and Large Group Discussion. A variety of instructional strategies will be used throughout the WRC course. Skills will be modeled and candidates will have many opportunities to engage in guided and independent practice of EFF skills.
  • Guest Lecturers. Speakers from academic and employment sectors will present and engage candidates in discussions on current marketplace issues.

Part 3: Roles and Responsibilities
Worker Role Maps were created as a guide for instructing the whole person. The roles of citizen/community member, family member, and worker are designed to address all aspects of a successful person. Candidates will have instruction and practice focused around each of the skills delineated within the member 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:

  • Health Literacy Skills. Learning activities are built upon the seven core skills outlined in the New York State and National Health Learning Standards: communication, decision making, planning and goal setting, stress management, self management, relationship management, and advocacy.
  • Review and Reflection. Candidates will have multiple opportunities to set, review, and refine learning and employment objectives and goals throughout the NWRC curriculum.
  • Critical Thinking Skills. Through the process of reflection and revision, candidates will engage in learning situations to develop deep levels of comprehension and skill within the settings of work, family, and community.
  • Authentic Learning and Assessment. Candidates will practice skills within the context of their personal experience as they work through the activities of the NWRC curriculum.

Part 4:  Outcome Measures and Assessments

  • The Adult Student Information System and Technical Support (ASISTS) web-based data collection system will be utilized to collect data and to monitor and report goals and outcomes of NWRC candidates. Data will be collected on the number of participants who meet their goals of:
  • Attaining the NWRC
  • Obtaining employment
  • Retaining employment
  • Improving employment
  • Improving literacy skills
  • Earning a GED
  • Enter Training
  • Entering Post Secondary Education
  • Reducing Public Assistance

Data will be collected through the candidates Education and Employment Plan which identifies:

  • Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) pre and post assessments
  • Equipped for the Future Skills self-assessments
  • One Stop Operating System (OSOS) registration and follow-up
  • Pass rate for NWRC
  • Enrollment in post-secondary or training
  • Follow up business surveys