WorkKeys test helps assess skills

By their senior year of high school, students are no strangers to taking tests.
There are tests in class, tests required by the state and tests to get into college.
This year, Jay County High School added another test to the mix: the WorkKeys assessment.
But the results work a little differently than most tests. After students’ various skills are measured, they get a score of 1 through 5 in each area.
The math test asks prospective employees to perform calculations related to tasks like making change or deciding how many boxes of tiles to buy for a flooring job. Test-takers answer questions about documents ranging from simple sets of instructions to sections of contracts in the reading for information section. The locating information assessment is similar, but its documents are graphics and charts.
A test-taker scoring well in those core areas will receive a National Career Readiness Certificate. Assessments in applied technology, business writing, listening for understanding, teamwork, workplace observation, fit, performance and talent are also available.
If someone scores highly in certain skills, such as applied technology and teamwork, they’ll be more successful in jobs scored similarly based on required abilities.
Research shows the closer the scores are, “the happier the person will be in the job and the longer they will remain in that job,” said Bill Bradley, executive director of Jay County Development Corporation.
Of the 205 seniors who in October completed WorkKeys assessments in applied mathematics, reading for information and locating information, 81 percent earned gold (a 5 in every area) or silver (a 4 or 5 in every area) National Career Readiness Certificates, said Jeremy Gulley, director of teacher effectiveness for Jay School Corporation. Another 12 percent earned a bronze certificate.
“We’re very pleased with the initial results for the seniors showing they are indeed work-ready,” Gulley said.
Companies like Ardagh, FCC Indiana, Sonoco, POET Biorefining and Fort Recovery Industries like to see certain scores on WorkKeys tests, Gulley said.
“There’s a whole lot of kids that are going to stay in Jay County or the immediate region,” Gulley said. “We’re giving them a leg up.”
These seniors will graduate having already taken these tests and knowing if their scores are where companies want them.
In the spring, the school hopes to have all juniors take the WorkKeys tests. Then students can begin their senior year talking to their guidance counselor about results and career plans. They’ll know sooner if their scores fit with their goals.
“If they need remediation or help to improve that score, we can link them up with the WorkOne office,” Gulley said.
The testing doesn’t just benefit students planning to go straight into the workforce. Its results also provide information about common jobs requiring four-year degrees in East Central Indiana, Gulley said.
Students who want to pursue careers in healthcare, social work, business or finance, for example, will have an idea of their potential to succeed in those fields before they spend time and money pursuing degrees. And employers in those sectors may also value WorkKeys scores.
Bradley and WorkOne worked with the high school to implement the testing. It’s a step toward Jay County becoming an ACT Certified Work Ready Community, a goal Randolph and Rush counties have already achieved.
Other local job seekers can take WorkKeys assessments by contacting WorkOne. Jay and surrounding counties are offering WorkKeys testing on Saturdays next month for those who cannot schedule during the week:
•Jay County (107 S. Meridian St., Portland ) — Dec. 5
•Blackford County (1301 N. High St., Suite B, Hartford City) —Dec. 12.
•Delaware County (201 E. Charles St., Suite 100, Muncie) — Dec. 12.
•Randolph County (325 S. Oak St., Suite 301, Winchester) — Dec. 5
Registration by the Wednesday prior to testing is required. Results are available within a few days, and can be re-ordered from American College Testing if necessary.
It’s too early to tell what effect WorkKeys testing is having in Jay County, Bradley said. But in other parts of the state, he’s seen it contribute to increased employee retention.
High turnover rates can be expensive for businesses, Bradley said. When a company’s workforce is stable and it isn’t continually training new employees, it saves money. And that’s something that tends to get companies on board with implementing WorkKeys as part of the job application process.
With benefits for multiple parties, “It’s a really good collaboration between WorkOne, the Jay County Development Corporation and the school,” Gulley said.