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Hernando To Test Job Certification

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By LINNEA BROWN, Hernando Today

Published: December 4, 2007

BROOKSVILLE - The Hernando County schools' adult education department will soon be taking the guesswork out of the hiring process.

Hernando has been chosen as an official test site for the Florida Ready to Work assessment program, which helps both jobseekers and employers by providing proof of competency in various job skills.

Unique to Florida, but modeled after similar programs offered in 40 other states, the free, state-sponsored program is a new employee-credentialing program that measures job skills and work habits. It gives employers a way to identify employees with the most potential, and jobseekers proof of employees' ability to succeed on the job.

Best of all, it's expected to save employers time and money, said Harry L. Wilson, Hernando County Schools Adult Education coordinator.

"As long as the employers recognize it and buy into it, it should be great for both" employers and employees, he said.

To earn the program's credential - a personalized certificate, signed by Gov. Charlie Crist - a jobseeker must take three monitored tests in the areas of applied math, reading for information and finding information.

These assessments are unique because they test the skills required for more than 85 percent of all jobs today, Wilson said.

"They've done a lot of research on this," he said. "Approximately 13,000 jobs were surveyed, with those job skills put into this program."

The program also offers free online training to help job seekers build their skills, as well as an optional test that measures workplace attitude, behavior and customer service skills.

"We also want to offer supplemental classes in soft skills, such as interviewing, dressing appropriately and writing resumes," Wilson said. "We want to help people function well in different work environments, because jobs are different. Putting tires on cars at Wal-Mart is different than creating graphics for a graphics company."

Created by the same company that created the ACT college entrance exam, the credential comes in three levels: bronze, silver and gold.

The bronze credential indicates the jobseeker has attained at least a score of 3 - on a scale of 1 to 7 - on each of the three tests, indicating the student possesses skills for 35 percent of jobs currently on the market.

The silver credential, in which the jobseeker scores at least a score of 4 on each of the three tests, means a student possesses skills for 65 percent of jobs. The gold, indicating a minimum score of 5, means a student possesses skills for 90 percent of jobs.

"Obtaining a gold credential is basically equated to someone having a doctorate, in terms of skill level - somebody who's very on top of everything," Wilson said.

The program is slated to begin in February. Computers are being set up for the tests, which will be administered through the adult education department at Nature Coast Technical High School in Brooksville.

With career specialist Nikki Barlow serving as the program's official administrator, prospective jobseekers will be encouraged to make an appointment for testing.

Barlow will also be testing high school students at Nature Coast, Wilson said.

"We're going to attempt to test as many juniors and seniors as we can," he said. "We think this credential, signed by the governor, would be very valuable for a student walking out of this school when applying for jobs."

Employers also will be encouraged to take the tests themselves to see the validity of what is being tested.

"Businesses may use this to be an incentive for raises and promotions, especially when they see the value of it," Wilson said.

Brochures about the program are available through the careers department at Nature Coast or in the adult education office at the school.

Residents with questions can go to www.fldoe.org/readytowork/ or call Wilson at (352) 797-7091.

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