WorkKeys is a job skills assessment mandated for all eleventh grade students in South Carolina, consisting of three timed tests: reading for information, applied mathematics, and locating information. Students earn a National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC) based on their scores, which significantly impact their employability, with various industries recognizing these scores. Over 3,100 employers in South Carolina endorse WorkKeys in their hiring practices, highlighting its importance for both students and job seekers.

1. ACT WorkKeys® Testing
Not just another test!
Lorraine Faulds, SC Department of Employment & Workforce

2. What is WorkKeys?
A job skills assessment…
Job skills are essential to any occupation,
skilled or professional, at any level of
education and in any industry.
The South Carolina Code of Laws, section
59-18-325, requires that all eleventh grade
students take WorkKeys.

3. What is on the test?
• Three timed tests
• 45 minutes each
• Reading for Information (33 items)
• Applied Mathematics (33 items)
• Locating Information (38 items)
With the exception of students eligible for alternate
assessments, all eleventh grade students must take
WorkKeys.

4. When?
Online :
• All students: March 22-April 19, 2017
• Makeup: April 26, 2017
• Students needing online accommodations:
March 22-April 5, 2017
Paper/Pencil for students with disabilities*:
March 22, 2017
*Paper-based testing is available for students with disabilities who cannot take
online assessments due to their disabilities, as specified in their IEPs or 504
plans, or as approved by the State Board of Education.

5. WorkKeysNCRC
• NCRC is the national Career Readiness Certificate
• The most widely used employability credential in the
country
• WorkKeys score determines what level of NCRC the
student has earned
 Bronze - scores at least a level 3 in each of the three areas
 Silver - scores at least a level 4
 Gold - scores at least a level 5
 Platinum - scores at least a level 6

6. NCRC Levels Indicates Jobs
Score % of jobs qualified for
Bronze 3 17
Silver 4 69
Gold 5 93
Platinum 6 99
Examples of Minimum WorkKeys Scores
Occupation
Reading for
Information
Applied
Mathematics
Locating
Information
Team Assembler 3 3 3
Elementary School Teacher 5 4 4
Registered Nurse 4 4 4

7. The Certificate

8. The Scores, 2016
Bronze Silver Gold Platinum
South Carolina 21.7 47.7 17.2 0.2
Richland 1 School District 27.8 40.5 11.7 0.1
Lower Richland High School 32.5 35.0 4.3 0.0
AC Flora HS 19.1 43.7 25.4 0.0
CA Johnson HS 42.2 28.9 0.0 0.0
Columbia HS 25.2 45.3 2.9 0.0
Dreher HS 23.1 44.0 20.2 0.4
Eau Claire HS 36.8 26.3 3.0 0.0
Keenan HS 35.8 42.4 2.0 0.0
Richland 1 Middle College 22.9 66.7 8.3 0.0

9. Employers  WorkKeys!
There are over 3,100 employers in South
Carolina who endorse, support, and/or use
WorkKeys as part of their hiring practice.
Some of those companies include:
• Conagra Foods
• M.B. Kahn Constructions
• Michelin Tire
• Mungo Homes
• Statefarm Insurance
• Palmetto Health

10. Examples of Job Ads Using WorkKeys
Metrology Lab Specialized Technician
CUMMINS INC.
LADSON, SC - 29456
Posted 10/13/2016 on SC Works Online Services
ACT WorkKeys Requirements: Reading for Information 5; Locating Information 5;
Applied Mathematics 5; Workplace Observation 3
Cook
Palmetto Health
Columbia, SC
Monster.com
Part-time FTE 0.5 - 0.6
• High school diploma or equivalent preferred
• Experience: 1-2 years in related field
• Work keys: Reading for Information (4)
Applied Mathematics (3) Observation (3)
General Mechanic
Camden, SC
Invista, part of
Koch Industries, Inc.

11. Others see the value too!
“WorkKeys gave me confidence to show my skills to
employers and technical colleges. I took the assessment
and knew exactly what I had to score to be accepted into a
welding program. WorkKeys showed me my areas of
strength and the areas I needed to focus on to improve.” --
-- Mark, Jobseeker from Ohio
“One thing we hear from employers a lot is that they
appreciate the fact that an individual took the initiative to
earn the credential. We try to talk to every job seeker who
comes in to tell them that it’s an excellent résumé builder.”
-- Ginger Powell of the Northwest Tennessee Workforce Board
“WorkKeys has one of the largest, most robust
occupational profiles databases available. Extensive
research has been done on these jobs to identify the
essential skills and skill levels for employee selection,
hiring, and training.”
-- Union County (SC) Chief Academic Officer Cindy Langley

12. Take the test seriously!
Students should take the WorkKeys test
seriously.
The score can stay with them for several
years depending on the occupation
applying for.
Everyone eventually has a career and the
WorkKeys scores is the measure for career
skills.