Why the National Career Readiness Certificate Could Give Your Child a Head Start
Parents spend years helping their children prepare for the future. We encourage good grades, extracurricular activities, and college planning. But there’s another tool that can help students succeed no matter which path they choose after high school.
It’s called the National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC), a nationally recognized credential from ACT WorkKeys that helps students show they have the skills employers are looking for.
For high school students, the National Career Readiness Certificate can provide tangible proof of workplace skills before they have years of experience to put on a résumé.
NCRC at a Glance
What is it?
A nationally recognized career-readiness credential.
What does it measure?
Applied Math, Graphic Literacy, and Workplace Documents.
What are the levels?
Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum.
Why does it matter?
It gives students evidence of foundational workplace skills they can show employers.
What Is the National Career Readiness Certificate?
Most parents know the ACT measures college readiness.
The NCRC measures career readiness.
Instead of focusing on college admission, it shows employers that students have practical workplace skills that can help them succeed on the job.
What Does the NCRC Measure?
Students earn the NCRC by completing three ACT WorkKeys assessments:
- Applied Math measures the ability to use mathematical reasoning and problem-solving skills in workplace situations.
- Graphic Literacy measures the ability to find, understand, and use information presented in workplace graphics.
- Workplace Documents measures the ability to understand and apply information found in common workplace documents.
What Do Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum Mean?
Students can earn one of four NCRC levels: Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum. The level is based on their scores across the three WorkKeys assessments, with higher levels demonstrating readiness for a greater percentage of jobs profiled by ACT WorkKeys.
Why the NCRC Matters for High School Students
Whether your child plans to:
·Attend college
·Learn a trade
·Join the military
·Go straight to work
…the NCRC can help.
Some colleges even award credit for high-level NCRC scores, while many employers use it as part of their hiring process.
The NCRC is one more tool for your toolbox. It helps students stand out and gives them a better understanding of the skills they already have.
Could the NCRC Mean College Credit?
See how Silver, Gold, and Platinum NCRC scores may translate into recommended college credit and what that could mean for students.
How the NCRC Can Help Students Stand Out
One of the hardest parts of getting a first job is having little or no experience.
The NCRC gives students a way to show employers they already have the foundational skills needed to learn and succeed.
As Cloud explains, even without work experience, a student can tell an employer, “I have the skills needed. Train me.”
Many employers throughout Bowie and Miller counties recognize the NCRC, giving local students another way to stand out when applying for jobs, internships, and apprenticeships.
Why Earning the NCRC in High School Can Pay Off
Career plans often change, but the skills measured by the NCRC are valuable no matter where life leads.
Cloud encourages students to earn the credential while they’re still in high school.
“High school is a great time to earn it because students’ reading, math, and science skills are fresh.”
Whether your child dreams of college, a skilled trade, or a career they haven’t discovered yet, the NCRC is one more way to help prepare them for the future.
Special thanks to Hillary Cloud, Director of Business Retention & Expansion and Workforce Development for the Texarkana Chamber of Commerce, for sharing her insight on the NCRC and how it can help local students prepare for their future.
