Ready To Work

The Drake State Office of Workforce Development offers the state-certified Ready to Work program to provide workplace environment training that helps participants develop the skills necessary for successful employment.

Participants who complete the program earn two certificates: the ACT National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC) and the Alabama Certified Worker Certificate (ACWC). These certificates document specific skills and aptitudes and give job seekers an advantage over the competition.

The NCRC is earned by scoring a minimum level 3 on three WorkKeys assessments that test the skills required for more than 85 percent of all jobs. WorkKeys is a national online assessment series developed by the American College Testing Program, Inc. (ACT) to document and improve workplace skills and measure skills that employers believe are critical to job success. More information is available at http://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services.html.

The assessments are:

Applied Mathematics - Measures workplace mathematical reasoning and problem solving skills from basic addition, subtraction, multiplication and division to multiple math functions like calculating percentage discounts and markups.

Reading for Information - Measures reading comprehension and reasoning skills found in written text on the job including memos, letters, directions, signs, notices, bulletins, policies and regulations.

Locating Information - Measures comprehension and application of workplace graphics such as charts, graphs, tables, forms, flowcharts, diagrams, floor plans, maps and instrument gauges.

The ACWC is issued by AIDT and certifies that a job seeker has the right attitude and the initiative for the job. Requirements for successful certification include:

  • A 95 percent attendance and punctuality rate.
  • Satisfactory achievement of work ethic, organizational skills, attitude and motivation.
  • Satisfactory skills achievement in customer service, problem solving, workplace behaviors, job acquisition and business operation principles.
  • Successful completion of the financial literacy and computer skills programs.
  • A minimum level 3 score on the WorkKeys assessments
  • A score of at least 70 percent on the Alabama Certified Worker Examination.
The program certifications will also complement diplomas, certificates and degrees, and can be listed on your resume and job applications. In addition to the NCRC and ACWC certificates, students who successfully complete the course will receive a 3-hour tuition credit to assist in covering tuition costs for any qualifying degree or certificate program at Drake State.

More information at https://alabamareadytowork.org.

Whether seeking employment, preparing for a better job, or preparing for future training, the next step is to register for the Ready to Work program.

Click on the application below.

Application (Word)

Gail Walker

Ready to Work Instructor

adulteducation@drakestate.edu

256.551.5211 or 256.551.5212