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Vermont NCRC Program: A quick start on the right path
Vermont has joined the National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC) movement in a big way – engaging businesses, motivating Certificate candidates, and outlining a clear approach to skilling up. As with other successful programs that came before them, they are building demand for the certificate and supply of candidates in tandem – an approach that can be challenging at times, but one that will create quick initial accomplishments and long-term program success.
Certificate-holder Supply
In Vermont, the NCRC is the culmination of a 10-week program run through the Community College of Vermont (CCV) in partnership with the Vermont Department of Labor. This program is being run in cohorts at both CCV sites and business locations around the state with approximately 10 -20 people per section. As the 22nd section of this program moves toward completion, the State is reporting that 98% of people who finished the program earned an NCRC!
Participants are chosen for the program using several criteria including the ability to devote time to the course, access to a computer with an internet connection, transportation, and desire to seek employment. Participants are given access to KeyTrain at the beginning of the course, and are encouraged to use it throughout the 10 weeks. Those who dedicate themselves to the use of KeyTrain have shown great success in the NCRC—with many earning Gold certificates.
Certificate Demand
Businesses in the state are learning more about this program and the value that the NCRC can offer them. Green Mountain Coffee Roasters has profiled jobs in Vermont, is dedicating 7 sections of the course to incumbent workers in their two Vermont plants, and has even started exporting this process to plants in other parts of the country including a plant near Knoxville, Tennessee. Other organizations, including Rutland Regional Medical Center, have run the program for incumbent workers. While the state does not have vast numbers of large businesses, smaller businesses are being encouraged to participate and are beginning to understand the program and its benefits.
Tangibles and Intangibles
The program at the Community College of Vermont includes 6 modules. The first three are the WorkKeys Reading for Information, Applied Mathematics and Locating Information. Additionally, modules have been added that include teamwork, interpersonal skills, work ethic, and basic computer skills.
Tiffany Keune, the state coordinator of the Career Readiness program reports that participants have professed that earning a national credential such as the NCRC is a highly valued aspect to the program. It is a portable credential that they earn and keep. They also have been clear that they enjoy their time on the KeyTrain system and feel as though the program was designed with adults in mind. They believe that the way this system appears on the screen is inviting to them and they are engaged in developing their skills.
Motivation, self-confidence, a desire to learn, higher skills and a tangible certificate valued by businesses are just a few of the benefits being realized by candidates and employers. At this stage, the program shows early signs of great things to come!
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