Owensboro Medical Health System implemented a skills enhancement program using WorkKeys assessments to identify employees' skill levels and target instruction to increase those skills. Over 600 employees participated, with many improving their skills or transferring to higher-paying positions. The program helped reduce employee turnover by 32% and renewed focus on education.

1. THE ORGANIZATION
Owensboro Medical Health
System, Owensboro, KY
THE CHALLENGE
Creating a self-study skills
program that teaches new job
skills and increases hospital
employees’ chances for
advancement
THE SOLUTION
Using WorkKeys®
assessments
to identify current skill levels,
coupled with a targeted
instruction program to raise
those levels
THE RESULTS
A turnover reduction of
32 percent, wide employee
participation, a fair system for
promotion, and a renewed
focus on education
Situation
Owensboro Medical Health System (OMHS) set out to create a skill-
enhancement system for professional and skilled employees. OMHS
officials examined other workplace skill tests but found that many of them
were designed to test people specifically in the manufacturing industry.
Owensboro Community and Technical College introduced the hospital to
the WorkKeys system. The hospital found WorkKeys more suitable to its
needs because it tests a broader field of work skills and because the scoring
system was easy for managers and directors to understand. Hospital officials
also liked the courseware available to help employees raise their WorkKeys
scores.
Solution
Working through Owensboro Community and Technical College and the
Department for Adult Education & Literacy, OMHS developed a
WorkKeys-based program that would support its goal of giving employees
opportunities for self-improvement and advancement.
In 2001, OMHS was awarded an Alliance Grant from the Kentucky
Department for Adult Education and Literacy and the Kentucky
Community and Technical College System to fund one year of the new
program. For 24-hour training access, the hospital supplied 12 computers
and a lab area. The OMHS Educational Development Center (EDC), in
partnership with Owensboro Community and Technical College,
administered WorkKeys to employees.
The program
Employees start by taking the WorkKeys Applied Mathematics and
Reading for Information tests, followed by a self-study program. The EDC
provides computer- and paper-based study materials to assist employees,
including WorkKeys-based curricula from Worldwide Interactive Network,
Destination, and Plato.
Employees can also take advantage of “OCTC at OMHS”—a learning
partnership between the health care facility and Owensboro Community
and Technical College. The program offers weekend classes and online
classes to fit with employees’ busy schedules.
(continued)
CASE STUDY
Health Care Facility Boosts
Employees’ Skills While
Reducing Turnover 32 Percent
1-800/WORKKEY
www.workkeys.com

2. “It enables them to be OMHS employees, work, and receive their nursing
degree at the same time while being paid for their education time,” said
Annette Schaefer, EDC coordinator.
After completing several weeks of self-study, employees take a post-test to
determine their new skill levels. Employees can use these scores to identify
other positions for which they may be qualified or to increase their chances
of being promoted.
Motivating employee involvement
To encourage employee participation, OMHS offers a $250 stipend to
employees who complete the program, take a post-test and attain or raise
their skill levels in Reading for Information and Applied Mathematics. They
also receive a certificate of achievement they can include with their resumes.
Employees choose to participate for reasons other than getting the stipend.
Some are curious about their skill levels and how they measure up with job
requirements. Employees who have been out of the classroom for some time
want to reassure themselves that they remember what they learned. Many
are surprised that their scores are so high.
Results
• Turnover reduction—Since implementing WorkKeys, OMHS has seen
its turnover rate drop by 32 percent. “Employees are seeing that we value
them and support their educational endeavors,” said Pam Cox, human
resources director.
• Employee skill increases—More than 600 employees have received
the stipend after maintaining or increasing skill levels, according to their
WorkKeys scores.
• A fair system for promotion—Many OMHS employees have been
able to transfer to higher-paying jobs within the hospital. For example,
some food and nutrition services employees used their new skills to
become business office assistants. Others were able to climb higher on the
career ladder in their current fields.
• Wide participation—Hundreds of employees have participated in the
program and taken WorkKeys assessments. Participants have ranged from
professional positions (RNs, surgical technicians, physical therapists,
accounting clerks) to skilled employees (maintenance, food services). “We
have had such positive feedback from our employees,” said Schaefer. “So
many of them have become excited about learning and the possibilities
for advancement.”
• A renewed employee focus on education—OMHS officials say
more employees are using their WorkKeys scores as a sign that they
should enter college for even greater career advancement. The hospital
has increased its tuition assistance budget as a result.
Outlook
The Alliance Grant has been renewed year after year for OMHS. Its goals
are to test and provide targeted instruction to even more employees as well
as to help those individuals better understand how to use their scores to
advance their hospital careers.
Participants are also eligible to receive a Kentucky Employability
Certificate, a credential designed to signify worker employability.
Recipients are also eligible for ACT’s National Career Readiness
Certificate, a credential accepted by employers nationwide.
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