Chamber initiates WorkKeys development program

In an effort to provide more qualified employers with employees who have strong work skills, the Springfield Chamber of Commerce established a work force task force.

In 2001, the group created a list of 16 skills they wanted employees to have, including basic skills like reading, writing and communications.

To help develop these skills, the task force decided to bring in a program known as WorkKeys.

"(WorkKeys) will focus on developing a quality work force to generate higher wages, and higher skilled jobs in our area," said Rogetta Kyle, manager of work force and business development for the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce.

WorkKeys assessments are administered through traditional paper-based testing. Other assessments incorporate the use of audio or video presentations, and some are administered via computers. Potential employees are tested on mathematics, technology, business writing, listening, locating information, observation, readiness, reading for information, teamwork and writing.

The reading for information assessment measures a person's skill in reading and using work-related information including instructions, policies, memos, bulletins, notices, letters, manuals and governmental regulations. These printed materials represent actual workplace conditions where reading materials are not necessarily well-written or adapted to meet the needs of the reader.

"We need to place focus on the importance of education, from both an education perspective as well as an employer prospective, and continue to reiterate to our students that education is very instrumental in how far they go," Kyle said.

For more information on this program visit www.act.org/workkeys.