A State-wide Approach to Employability Credentials (Kentucky)

Key Concepts

• Coming to agreement on standard, basic, required employability skills
• Providing workers with a widely-recognized and portable employability credential
• Providing employers with a pool of qualified workers and confidence in the skill levels of those workers

Background

The State of Kentucky, via The Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS), the Cabinet for Workforce Development and the Kentucky Adult Education / Council on Postsecondary Education (KYAE) has created the Kentucky Employability Certificate (KEC). This credential is a state-wide recognition that the holder has proven competency in the following three highlighted areas of the WorkKeys system of skill measurement:

• Listening
• Reading for Information
• Writing
• Applied Mathematics
• Applied Technology
• Locating Information
• Observation
• Teamwork

It was determined that reading skills, math skills, and the ability to find information were the most important skills needed in all jobs, and it is these skills that are the measure of the Kentucky Employability Certificate. WorkKeys assessments are administered locally at locations across the State, but the certificate is issued by KCTCS. Those achieving at least 4 in all three assessments (reading, math, locating information) receive a Silver certificate. Those receiving 5 or better receive a Gold certificate.

The advantage of such a standard workplace-oriented assessment system is that it avoids the inconsistencies inherent in curricula and grading systems across different jurisdiction. Using the WorkKeys assessment, all stakeholders, especially employers, can be certain of what basic employability skills a certificate holder has demonstrated. Thus there is a common language for describing required skills and a common means of measuring these skills in potential employees. It makes it easier for workers to determine skill gaps that they must bridge, and it makes it easier for employers to match job candidates with job openings.

The Kentucky Employability Certificate has been endorsed by a wide-range of business groups, government agencies, and unions across the State.

In a similar vein, a more highly specialized Kentucky Manufacturing Skills Standards (KMSS) Certificate has been launched to help ensure a qualified pool of employees to meet the needs of the manufacturing sector in the State.

Related Websites

Kentucky Cabinet for Workforce Development
http://www.kycwd.org

Kentucky Community and Technical College System
http://www.kctcs.edu

Kentucky Department for Adult Education and Literacy SKiLL site
http://adulted.state.ky.us/Workplace%20Skill%20Branch.htm

< Back