Research has shown a clear gap between the skills of our nation’s workforce and the basic skills needs, or “real world” skills, employers believe are critical to job success. These skills are valuable for any occupation--skilled or professional--and at any level of education. For jobseekers lacking a degree or other certifications, demonstrating to a potential employer that they possess the skills to get a good job can be difficult. The ACT National Career Readiness Certificate™ (ACT NCRC®), a nationally recognized credential, is an assessment that can reveal valuable work skills in potential employees and help them stand out from other applicants.
Who should take the National Career Readiness Certificate?
Getting an ACT NCRC® allows an individual to show prospective employers that he or she possesses the basic workplace skills required for 21st century jobs. Even if an individual has a high school diploma (or equivalent) or a postsecondary degree, the ACT NCRC® further verifies that he or she can handle tasks that are common and vital in today’s workplaces. It does so by focusing on three areas:
- Reading for Information—comprehending work-related reading materials, from memos and bulletins to policy manuals and governmental regulations.
- Applied Mathematics—applying mathematical reasoning to work-related problems.
- Locating Information—using information from such materials as diagrams, floor plans, tables, forms, graphs, and charts.
In addition to providing a nationally recognized certificate that demonstrates valid proof of a jobseeker’s basic skills, the ACT NCRC® can produce better job opportunities and the potential for higher wages!
Individuals can attain the following levels of achievement:
- Bronze Level: An individual achieving the Bronze Level possesses core employability skills for approximately 30% of the profiled jobs.
- Silver Level: An individual achieving the Silver Level possesses core employability skills for approximately 65% of the profiled jobs.
- Gold Level: An individual achieving the Gold Level possesses core employability skills for approximately 90% of the profiled jobs.
- Platinum Level: An individual achieving the Platinum Level possesses core employability skills for approximately 99% of the profiled jobs.
Don’t delay…earn your ACT NCRC® today! Contact your local American Job Center to schedule your free assessment!
On January 26, 2017, the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development released the December 2016 unemployment rates by county. Below are the rates by county for the Northwest Tennessee Workforce Board region (WIOA 12):
For more information please see the Department News Release.
The American Job Centers in Northwest Tennessee value our customers’ feedback and strive for all customers to be fully satisfied with the services they receive. Between July 1st and September 30th of 2016, over 800 customers completed an American Job Center survey. Over 85% of respondents indicated that if they owned a business, they would “Absolutely” hire the person who assisted them, while nearly 89% rated their visit as “Outstanding.” Check out the full results below!
To learn more about FREE American Job Center services such as workshops, job openings, scholarships for school, career advising services, skills assessments, and more, contact an American Job Center near you today: http://www.northwesttncareercenter.org/locations.
Leonard "Len" Davis was laid off from Goodyear in July 2011 where he had been employed for over twenty years. Four months later, Davis chose to visit the TN Career Center (known today as the American Job Center) as part of a group of dislocated Goodyear employees who wanted to explore employment, education, and training opportunities. After considering his options, he enrolled in the Early Childhood Education program at Dyersburg State Community College in January 2012.
"I have always heard that it is not what happens to you, but how you respond to what happens,” states Davis. “I found that I had to do what was best for my family. That meant going back to school to go into education.”
Davis graduated Summa Cum Laude from DSCC in December 2013 with an Associate of Science Degree in General Studies. After self-paying for his Associate degree, he was able to use a combination of Trade Adjustment Act (TAA) and Northwest TN Workforce Board Needs-Based Scholarships and transportation stipends to continue his education at the University of TN at Martin.
Davis graduated Summa Cum Laude with his Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from UT Martin in May 2016 and was hired by the Obion County Board of Education to teach sixth grade math at Ridgemont Elementary School. Mr. Jon Kerr, Principal at Ridgemont Elementary, states, "Mr. Davis has done a fantastic job bringing his life experience to Ridgemont Elementary and encouraging students to achieve more than they ever thought they could."
To learn more about scholarships, transportation stipends, and other FREE services available through the American Job Center, contact an office near you today: http://www.northwesttncareercenter.org/locations.
On December 22, 2016, the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development released the November 2016 unemployment rates by county. Below are the rates by county for the Northwest Tennessee Workforce Board region (WIOA 12):
For more information, please see the Department News Release
Manufacturing Day, typically held on the first Friday in October, is an annual national event executed at the local level supported by thousands of manufacturers as they host students, teachers, parents, job seekers, and other local community members at open houses, plant tours, and presentations designed to showcase modern manufacturing technology and careers.
Locally, the Northwest Tennessee Workforce Board collaborated with several partners in 11 counties to host successful Manufacturing Day events in October and November 2016. Approximately 765 students from 22 high schools toured and/or heard presentations from 39 local industries, two TN Colleges of Applied Technology, and one community college, about the benefits of working in advanced manufacturing as part of an effort to change people’s perceptions about today’s manufacturing environment and draw attention to the outstanding opportunities that a career in manufacturing can provide. Lana Wood, Director of Business Services explains that each county celebrates Manufacturing Month in its own way. “Some industries provide tours, while others visit middle schools and high schools to talk about the jobs available, career pathways, and the education needed to be successful in these jobs.”
Margaret Prater, Vice President for Workforce Development for the NWTN Workforce Board described how the benefits of Manufacturing Month are wide-reaching. “The partnerships developed between the employers, schools, the Workforce Board and higher education have resulted in manufacturing-specific training programs being added to Career Technical Education programs throughout Northwest Tennessee. The skills students learn can be directly transferred to the workplace. As a result, several employers in the region are offering paid internships to students that are successful in earning a Production Technician Certification from the Manufacturing Skills Standard Council.”
In addition to educating students about careers advanced manufacturing, participating employers help students understand the importance of soft-skills in addition to technical skills. “As an employer we work hard on identifying and improving everyone’s soft skills, such as communication, integrity, attitude, teamwork and work ethic,” states Jared Robertson of Southern Pride in Alamo. “Strengthening your soft skills will help you interact better with colleagues and employers as well as your friends and family.”
A big thanks goes out to our employers and schools!
Benton County Benton County Technical School-- TN College of Applied Technology at Paris, Unimin, Palmer Companies
Carroll County Huntingdon, Clarksburg, and West Carroll High Schools and Carroll County Technical Center—Granges (formerly Noranda)
Crockett County Crockett County High School --ABB, Inc.; Southern Pride
Dyer County Dyersburg & Dyer County High Schools-- Caterpillar, ERMCO, NORTEK, DOT Foods, Eaton, PolyOne, Firestone.
Gibson County Humboldt, Milan, and Peabody, Gibson County, Bradford, and South Gibson County High Schools – Mayor Tom Witherspoon, ABB, Inc., Ceco Door Products, Reinhausen, and MacLean Power Systems, Chicago Metallic
Henry County Henry County High School—Dana, PML
Lake County Lake County High School-- Caterpillar, Eaton
Lauderdale County Ripley and Halls High Schools --TN College of Applied Technology, Marvin Windows and Doors, Komatsu.
Obion County South Fulton, Obion County & Obion County Central High Schools--Green Plains Renewable Energy, MIA Seating, Greenfield Products, ICI
Tipton County Covington, Munford, and Brighton High Schools--TN College of Applied Technology in Covington, Dyersburg State Community College Covington Campus, Unilever, CSC Sugar, Mueller Brass
Weakley County Dresden, Westview & Gleason High Schools-- MTD Products in Martin, TN.
On November 23, 2016, the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development released the October 2016 unemployment rates by county. Below are the rates by county for the Northwest Tennessee Workforce Board region (WIOA 12):
For additional information, please see the Department News Release.
On October 7, 2016, Doris Willett, Career Development Services Coordinator, was recognized by Vice President for Workforce Development Margaret Prater as the 2016 Board Employee of the Year. Nominated and elected by her peers, Willett was recognized for her dedication to her position and to helping her staff and peers. “Doris goes above and beyond to make sure that her job is done and done to perfection. She is always willing to help anyone and does it with a smile. She works many extra hours to make sure that every “I” is dotted and every “T” is crossed” stated Willett’s nominator.
Willett began working for Dyersburg State Community College’s Workforce Development division, under the guidance of the Northwest Tennessee Workforce Board, in 2011 after being dislocated as the result of the closure of Goodyear. She worked as a Career Advisor in the specialized Career Center for individuals dislocated from Goodyear and later transferred to the TN Career Center in Dresden. Her skills and expertise earned her a promotion to the position of Career Development Services Coordinator in November 2015.
On October 27, 2016 the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development released the September 2016 unemployment rates by county. Below are the rates by county for the Northwest Tennessee Workforce Board region (WIOA 12):
For additional information, please see the Department News Release.
In celebration of Manufacturing Day 2016, high school students throughout the Northwest Tennessee region will participate in tours and presentations with local manufacturing companies as part of an effort to change people’s perceptions about today’s manufacturing environment and draw attention to the outstanding opportunities that a career in manufacturing can provide. Manufacturing Day, typically held on the first Friday in October, is an annual national event executed at the local level supported by thousands of manufacturers as they host students, teachers, parents, job seekers, and other local community members at open houses, plant tours and presentations designed to showcase modern manufacturing technology and careers.
In Northwest TN, the American Job Centers/TN Career Centers will host Manufacturing Month events for schools in 11 counties throughout the month of October. Lana Wood, Director of Business Services, comments, “Each county celebrates Manufacturing Month in its own way. Some industries will provide tours, while others will visit middle schools and high schools to talk about the jobs available, career pathways, and the education needed to be successful in these jobs.”
Margaret Prater, Vice President for Workforce Development for the NWTN Workforce Board adds, “The benefits of Manufacturing Month are wide-reaching. The partnerships developed between the employers, schools, the Workforce Board and higher education have resulted in manufacturing-specific training programs being added to Career Technical Education programs throughout Northwest Tennessee. The skills students learn can be directly transferred to the workplace. As a result, several employers in the region are offering paid internships to students that are successful in earning a Production Technician Certification from the Manufacturing Skills Standard Council.”
Check out the schedule of this year’s events below and click the calendar for more details!
