County Joins Worker Certification Program
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowRush County is now part of a pilot program designed to help address the skills gap. The initiative allows workers to earn a credential for information, applied math and locating information skills. Rush County Economic and Community Development Corp. Executive Director John McCane believes the program is a key economic development tool for the area. April 3, 2014
News Release
RUSH COUNTY, Ind. – Cathy Wenning, Chair of the Rush County Economic and Community Development Corporation and Government and Community Relations Manager for DUKE Energy opened the program “No Foolin’ We’re Going for the Gold” at the April 1st Rotary meeting. This informational program described Rush County’s acceptance to and subsequent participation in the pilot program for individual counties of the ACT Certified Work Ready Communities initiative.
The foundation of a community's certification is based on individuals at the county level across the current, transitioning and emerging workforce earning a National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC) and employers recognizing the NCRC. The NCRC is a portable, industry-recognized credential that clearly identifies an individual’s WorkKeys skills in reading for information, applied math and locating information.
“WorkOne is the provider of testing here in our Region,” stated John McCane, ECDC Executive Director. “They offer it at the Rush County Courthouse Assembly Room on a monthly basis and will test more often if there is a need. The goal is for a certain percentage of each of the workforce groups to earn a NCRC. So far we are exceeding our goals for the emerging and incumbent workforce; we will be encouraging more individuals who are unemployed or transitioning from the military to take the test and earn that certification. The Work Ready Community designation will serve as an important economic development tool for the county.”
There are also goals for numbers of employers supporting this program. “Having the businesses engaged is of prime importance,” said Mayor Mike Pavey. Job seekers will be more inclined to take the test when they know employers value WorkKeys and recognize the importance of the NCRC.
Source: Rush County Economic and Community Development Corp.