Today’s workforce has changed significantly over the years and now youth are competing with adults for entry level positions.

That is why RochesterWorks! is partnering with local youth providers to pilot the WorkKeys job skills assessment system.  WorkKeys is an assessment program measuring “real world” skills in a workplace context.  This program connects work skills, training, and testing and is the basis for the National Career Readiness Certificate (CRC).  The CRC is comprised of the three WorkKeys assessments that employers believe are most critical to job success: Applied Mathematics, Reading for Information, and Locating Information.  The credential assesses youth on three levels; Bronze, Silver, and Gold, and certifies that youth have the core employability skills required across multiple industries and occupations. 

WorkKeys assessments are designed to identify remedial training needs to increase a person’s marketability.  Skill gaps can be addressed and closed through an on-line training program, KeyTrain, targeted to developing and increasing the WorkKeys skills.    

Using KeyTrain, instructors can asses youth’s potential WorkKeys score through pre-tests and youth can review topics in each WorkKeys skill area and practice problems similar to those on an actual WorkKeys assessment thereby increasing their  skills as they move through the skill levels. 

KeyTrain complements regular and alternative education programs, prepares youth for the WorkKeys assessments leading to the Career Readiness Credential (CRC), and facilitates career exploration through links to O-Net and WorkKeys Occupational Profiles.  These credentials can be used by young candidates as marketing tools to demonstrate their willingness to work. 

RochesterWorks! has partnered with the Urban League SAFE Program to help young candidates increase their marketability to employers through attainment of the CRC and complement G.E.D. curriculum.   The SAFE Program serves disadvantaged youth ages 17 – 20 who have dropped out of school and are unemployed or underemployed.  The SAFE program offers GED preparation, career exploration, life skills and job readiness training, internships, job placement, and involvement in community services.