In today’s tight job market it is important that you have an advantage over the other applicants.
Logan County Adult Education (LCAE) Learning Center offers a variety of items that can help you gain that advantage. “We offer other educational opportunities beyond the GED,” stated Cheryl Kelley, LCAE assistant director. “We are here to help as many people as we can.”
Currently the Kentucky Unemployment office is highly recommending that all applicants complete their National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC). Many employers use this certificate as an indication of employment readiness.
Academic Assistant Chasity Holloway manages all the NCRC students at LCAE. In a recent interview she explained what the NCRC is and what LCAE can offer to anyone that is interested in attaining certification.
The NCRC is broken down in three parts: Applied mathematics: This measures a person’s ability to apply mathematical skills and problem solving. These are math skills that are used daily in any factory workplace. Locating for information: This examines a person’s ability to interpret information that is set in graphs and tables. This format of conveying critical information is used in almost all industries. Giving an employer assurance that an applicant can read and use the information properly, saves time and money. Reading for information: This last portion concentrates on the applicant’s ability to read business correspondence. “Your business memo is not the same as reading the newspaper or a novel. It is a concise writing style that is generally not taught in the average classroom,” says Chasity.
There are three levels of certification: Silver, Gold and Platinum. Passing the Silver requires a
WorkKeys level 4 score. This level certifies that you can perform 67 percent of the jobs in this country. The Gold level requires a WorkKey level 5 score and shows an employer tht you can perform 93 percent of the jobs. The platinum or highest level requires a WorkKey level 6 score and certifies an employee can perform 99 percent of the jobs offered. What makes the Platinum level so difficult to attain is the difficulty of the testing in graphing and table section (Locating for Information). This is a very intense area and just like in the work place, very little room for error.
“What Logan County Adult Education and every other Adult Education center in the commonwealth offer is free initial assessment for qualification, classes in math and special tutoring as needed in the reading and locating information sections. Enrolled students have access to the WIN curriculum. This features an online lessons that are designed specifically for the NCR Exam. We have a computer lab set up and open four days a week, to accommodate these online lessons. You don’t need to drive to Bowling Green or Hopkinsville for this training and testing. We are right here in Russellville,” stated Chasity.
“Initial assessments are offered four days a week along with classes, computer lab and tutoring sessions. The exams are administered by me on Fridays. All anyone has to do is call and set up an appointment.”
Qualification to take the NCR exam for free, is to score an 11.5 or below on the original assessment. There is a fee charged by the testing organization for anyone with a score higher than 11.5. LCAE does not receive any income from these fees.
Regionally Logan Aluminum recognizes an NCR Certificate as a measuring tool when hiring individuals. There are several businesses in Franklin and Christian County that use the NCRC as a screening tool.
If you are interested in attaining this certification, please contact the Logan County Adult Education office at 726-8777. The office is open Monday through Friday, including Monday and Tuesday evenings until 7. We also offer classes at the Auburn Library on Tuesdays and Thursdays.