Help Wanted? Louisiana Joins National Skill Credentialing System to Attract Workers

May 2, 2007

IOWA CITY, Iowa—Louisiana businesses now have a tool to fill crucial jobs in the state from a regional and national pool of job applicants. The Louisiana Career Readiness Certificate—a skill credential for job seekers—has affiliated with ACT's National Career Readiness Certificate, awarded to skilled workers all over the country. Louisiana businesses ask for the skill credential during the hiring process.

The National Career Readiness Certificate is a national credentialing initiative that gives business leaders a way to recognize job applicants and employees who have the essential foundational skills necessary for most jobs. ACT, the nonprofit company behind the ACT college admissions exam, created the system. State affiliation means Louisiana businesses can accept the national certificate from job seekers nationwide, while Louisiana residents are eligible for both the state certificate and the National Career Readiness Certificate.

Recipients take three of ACT's WorkKeys employability skill assessments and receive Gold, Silver or Bronze certificates, depending on their exam scores. Job seekers can present the certificate along with their college diploma and resumes.

"There is an enormous amount of work to be done to see a full recovery from the hurricanes in Louisiana, and there are tremendous career opportunities in Louisiana that never existed before the storms," Gov. Kathleen Babineaux Blanco said. "The National Career Readiness Certificate helps bring workers from across the country into the Louisiana workforce, while also aiding Louisiana residents in getting better jobs."

The basis of the National Career Readiness Certificate is ACT's WorkKeys job skill assessments, which examine the essential foundational skills needed for virtually every occupation. WorkKeys has been used by thousands of business organizations for employee hiring and development. Companies that have used WorkKeys have seen reduced turnover, improved productivity and greater training efficiency.

"Several states and businesses are embracing the National Career Readiness Certificate as a key indicator that an individual has the foundational skills needed for virtually any job," said Don Carstensen, vice president in ACT's Workforce Development Division. "It narrows down the applicant pool, telling businesses that the individual would save them money on skill training and contribute greatly to the company's bottom line."

"Employers are on a fast track when it comes to looking for a skilled workforce, so they want to know which job applicants have strong skill sets," said Blanco. "Using the Career Readiness Certificate makes the hiring process go much faster, while it makes career opportunities much stronger for the individual."

Several statewide partners support the Louisiana Career Readiness Certificate, including the Louisiana Workforce Commission, the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, and the Louisiana Board of Regents.