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Kentucky Employability Certificate

TEST IS ADMINISTERED EVERY TUESDAY AT 1:00 P.M. PLEASE CALL TO REGISTER

 Contact Kentucky Employability Representative

 What is the Kentucky Employability Certificate?

 What is WorkKeys?

 How does this help the Employer?

 What are the benefits to the Employees?

 The Future of the KEC

 College Bound Students

 Frequently Asked Questions

 National Involvements

 KEC Supporters

What is the Kentucky Employability Certificate (KEC)?

  • Portable credential that documents an individuals' skills to employers
  • Kentucky currently recognizes 2 levels of the KEC:    
  • The KEC is signed and supported by Governor Fletcher
  • The KEC is a product of ACT tests

The Kentucky Employability Certificate was created to:

  • Provide skill-based credentials to Kentucky citizens to help them secure employment
  • Provide employers with workers that have documented skills proficiencies
  • Create a pool of certified applicants that employers can hire with confidence

 

What is WorkKeys?

WorkKeys is a nationally-recognized system for the assessment and improvement of work related skills. It provides a common language and common metric for employers, employees, and educators.

WorkKeys measures:

  • Communications Skills
  • Problem-Solving Skills
  • Interpersonal Skills

There are 3 areas of the WorkKeys test that are the basic testing for the Kentucky Employability Certificate.

 

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How does this help the Employer?

The state did a needs analysis of companies and found they wanted:

    • Reduction in turnover
    • Reduction in overtime
    • An additional applicant screening tool
    • Outline of skill requirement
    • Improvement in communication and cooperation

The results of the Kentucky Employability Certificate:

    • Training time fell from 6 months to 2 months
    • Overtime hours fell 95%
    • Scrap expenditures fell 21%
    • Profits rose by 50 times the cost of  WorkKeys
    • Higher-quality workers
    • Savings in training cost
    • More internal promotions - resulting in higher company morale

 

What are the benefits to the Employees?

A KEC can be powerful marketing tool for learners who pass the GED adn have teh need to quickly obtain better paying, full-time employment.

Particularly for those who have a difficult time explaining their skills, a KEC is something specific to discuss during a job interview.

If an employer is weighing the option of hiring several different people, the individual with a KEC will definitely stand out from the crowd!

Future of KEC

The vision for the Kentucky Employability Certificate would allow:

    • Kentucky employers recognize the KEC as a meaningful credential and have confidence in the skills that credential holders possess
    • Kentucky citizens recognize the value of the KEC in terms of making them more employable and documenting their skills to employers
    • Public agencies develop a "pool" of certified workers

College Bound...

Even for learners who plan to transition to post-secondary education, the WorkKeys assessments can be helpful in selecting a career path.

Different occupational clusters require varying skill levels in mathematics, reading and writing.

Learners who match their skills and interests with appropriate careers are more likely to be successful in college and happier with the choices they have made.

 

FAQ's...

n
What do I have to score to receive a KEC?
nA score of 3 in all areas for a Silver, and a score of 4 or higher in all areas for a Gold
 
nWhat if I don’t pass?
nYou can retake any of the three components, waiting only 30 days between tests.
 
nHow much does it cost?
nThe Adult learning center can offer the test free of charge. Your tax dollars at work!!
 
How do I study for the test?
You can study at the West Carter Adult Education Center (606-286-0137), or you can use our virtual online learning tool. Clickhere to download directions for access to our online learning .

National Involvements

  • nKentucky n
  • Tennessee
  • nAlabama n
  • Illinois
  • nMichigan n
  • Mississippi
  • nNew York n
  • West Virginia
  • nColorado n
  • Louisiana
  • nIndiana
  • nMissouri

KEC Endorsements

Primary Sponsors

  • Kentucky Workforce Investment Board
  • ACT, Inc.

Endorsements

  • Kentucky Chamber of Commerce
  • Kentucky Society for Human Resource Management
  • Kentucky State District Council of Carpenters
  • Associated Industries of Kentucky
  • Cabinet for Workforce Development
  • Department for Adult Education & Literacy
  • Council on Postsecondary Education
  • Kentucky Community and Technical College System

Applied Mathematics

Measures a person's skill in using mathematical reasoning to solve work-related problems

    • Calculating percentages, discounts and mark-ups
    • Perfoming multiple mathematical operations
    • Calculate perimeters adn areas of basic shapes

Reading For Information

Measures a person's skill in reading and using work-related information including

    • Instructions
    • Policies
    • Memos
    • Bulletins
    • Manuals
    • Governmental Regulations

Locating Information

Measures a person's skill in using workplace graphics such as:

    • Diagrams
    • Floor Plans
    • Tables
    • Charts
    • Graphs
    • Forms

Silver & Gold Certificates

Students who receive a Silver Certificate (score at least a level 4 in all three areas) have the skills necessary for 50% of the jobs that have been profiled by ACT.

Students who receive a Gold Certificate (score at least a level 5 in all three areas) have the skills necessary for 80% of the jobs that have been profiled by ACT.

The Kentucky Employability Certificate is a wonderful tool for learners to take to employers as part of a portfolio.

Contact Information

For further information regarding the KEC test, to schedule KEC testing or to have a representative meet with an employer, please contact:

Angie Burton

West Carter County Adult Education

606-286-0137

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