Workforce Skills Certification: An Overview

Transcription

1 Workforce Skills Certification: An Overview 2006 CASAS Summer Institute June 15, 2006 Presented by: Jane Egüez, CASAS Melissa Dayton, Adult Training and Development Network

2 WSC Overview Purpose of workforce skills certificates Identifying WSC components Creating a path to success Implementing WSC

3 Purpose of WSC Assess whether a person: has high school exit level skills, and is ready to enter the workforce or get a better job Provide students an advantage seeking or upgrading employment Provide employers with information about a candidate s ability to apply skills

4 WSC: a path to success Student interests and skills Assessments that measure progress and levels of attainment Targeted curriculum and instruction Employer collaboration Certification - documented evidence of workplace skills

5 WSC History Partnership between Sacramento-area schools and businesses (LEED) with Strumpf Associates and CASAS Employer input from five industries: banking, construction, health, telecommunications, high-tech Priority skills aligned with SCANS, correlated to O*NET Provides a process for developing and demonstrating workplace skills

6 Target Population Youth, in-school and out-of-school Adult education participants Adults transitioning to employment Incumbent workers Dislocated workers

7 WSC Projects California: high schools Connecticut: adult education programs Indiana: Dept. of Workforce Development Oregon: workforce investment boards Washington: community college

8 WSC Components Certification Assessment Battery (CAB) Certification Assessment Portfolio (CAP) (optional) Workforce Readiness System (LRI) (optional) Basic Technology Assessment

9 WSC Certification Assessment Battery The Certification Assessment Battery (CAB) contains five tests: Reading Comprehension Math Critical Thinking Problem-Solving Applied Performance

10 WSC Reading Comprehension Reading Comprehension addresses a range of competencies within contexts related to specific target industries or relevant to all

11 Math addresses skills from basic computation to decimals, fractions, percents, ratio and simple applied algebra WSC Math

12 WSC Critical Thinking Critical Thinking presents a workrelated scenario. Questions are analytical in nature, involving observation, inference, deduction, conclusion

13 WSC Problem Solving Problem Solving presents a workrelated situation. Questions reflect a six-step problemsolving model, eliciting either multiple-choice or written response.

14 WSC Applied Performance Applied Performance presents a workrelated scenario as role play involving student and examiner. It tests primarily oral communication.

15 WSC Certification Assessment Portfolio The Certification Assessment Portfolio (CAP) documents learning and skill development in classroom and work-based projects: Project planning Project development Team skills Industry knowledge Customer satisfaction Project presentation

16 CAP Outcomes Rating of project components using industryvalidated rubric: Program assessor Employee panel Student work samples Ex: project descriptions, timelines, budgets, brochures, presentation videos Student skill-based resume

17 LRI Soft Skills Assessment Workforce Readiness System Measures soft skills and personal qualities identified by employers Video simulations show common workplace situations Feedback reports profile student strengths and areas for improvement Learning Resources, Inc.

18 Basic Technology Assessment Basic computer operations, word processing, internet, skills Performance-based simulation Originally developed by Connecticut Distance Learning Consortium Currently being adapted for WSC

19 Creating a program path Recruitment, counseling, appraisal Curriculum and instruction Levels of attainment (CASAS levels B, C, D) Certification Placement into employment High school completion or post-secondary

20 Pre-certification levels of attainment Certification Level D Level C Level B Level A

21 Developing a program 1. Assemble stakeholders What do we want? What will it encompass, look like? Is WSC a good match? Who will issue the certificates? 2. Market and educate the wider employer community Strong partnership is critical Requires matching level of commitment

22 Developing a program 3. Conduct needs assessment Understand employer needs and skill expectations Translate workplace nomenclature into ABE/ASE/ESL skills and competencies 4. Develop targeted curriculum Basic skills Workplace skills Industry standards

23 Developing a program 5. Define student path and options Eligibility criteria Progress through levels of attainment Work-based project Portfolio assessment Certification

24 WSC Training WSC Certification enables you to: Administer WSC at your site Order WSC materials Training for CASAS appraisal and pre/posttests included upon request: Employability Competency System (ECS) Workforce Learning System (WLS) Life and Work

25 For more information Jane Egüez CASAS Melissa Dayton Adult Training and Development Network