Washington was recently selected to become a Work Ready State by the ACT company. The program works to certify states or regions as Work Ready based on the number of individuals who earn a National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC) and number of businesses who utilize the NCRC as a hiring tool.
The NCRC assesses three essential workplace skills - reading for information, applied math and critical thinking. Spokane has been offering these tools for both job seekers and businesses since 2011.
Washington has joined ACT's Certified Work Ready Communities Academy, a 12-month program to help initiate, deploy and drive statewide efforts. The initiative has support from Governor Insless and key agencies that include the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, Employment Security Department, the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges and Department of Commerce.
"We are excited to help grow this initiative across the state," said Dawn Karber, chief operating officer for the WDC. "Becoming a Work Ready State will be a valuable economic development tool as well as help to identify and close the skills gap."
Washington is one of 17 states working to become Work Ready. Learn more about the project.
partnership with Community Colleges of Spokane at a special meeting convened by the American Association of Community Colleges and U.S. Conference of Mayors Workforce Development Council in early November in Washington, D.C. It was one of four case studies selected from across the nation to provide leaders from workforce boards and community colleges an opportunity to learn how new collaborations are changing business practices and improving efficiencies and outcomes for their communities.
