Free Workforce Credential Testing Now Available for Kentucky Veterans

The Kentucky National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC) measures and verifies work-related skills

 FRANKFORT, Ky. (Aug. 12, 2015) – An important education and workforce credential test is now free to eligible Kentucky veterans on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are expended.

Supported by partners in Kentucky’s workforce system, the National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC) is a work-related skills credential that will help ensure job seekers are qualified for certain types of jobs by the level of certificate they obtain. The free assessments are sponsored by the Department of Workforce Investment, an agency of the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet.

“Now more than ever, Kentucky businesses need a strong, skilled workforce to overcome today’s challenges,” said Gov. Steve Beshear. “By taking the guesswork out of hiring, this certificate will serve as a valuable tool for Kentucky employers in making employment and training decisions.” 

The NCRC is a national certification that indicates work readiness by administering three WorkKeys assessments: applied mathematics, locating information, and reading for information. These specific workplace skills are needed in 77 percent of all jobs profiled for WorkKeys testing. The certificate allows business partners to increase productivity through turnover prevention and promotion selection. By using NCRC, employers can give their current and future workforce incentive to improve their skills to be eligible for more demanding and lucrative work.

Businesses can boost their bottom line by giving interview preference to prospective employees who have an NCRC or by requiring a certain level of NCRC for employment. By requiring a certain level of NCRC to apply for available jobs, employers can be more confident the person they select for the job is a good fit.

“The NCRC is the quantifiable tool that allows employers and economic developers to measure terms like, ‘we need a qualified workforce’ into a credential that means the same thing across Kentucky and across the nation,” said NCRC program coordinator Joseph Paul.

Eligible veterans can obtain free NCRC testing through local Kentucky Career Centers. This offer is available for a limited time. Interested veterans should contact their local Kentucky Career Center and request a free NCRC for Kentucky veterans. To find the nearest Kentucky Career Center, log onto http://kcc.ky.gov.

Employers and job seekers can find more information at https://ncrc.ky.gov, www.act.org/workkeys or www.nationalcareerreadiness.org.