The program allows individuals seeking to advance their professional careers to get proper assessment and certification of their entry-level work skills.
NMC President Carmen Fernandez said the college now serves as a testing site for the program.
Entry-level jobs are non-supervisory, non-managerial, non-professional positions.
These may be skilled or unskilled positions and the required job-specific skills can be learned while on the job.
“This is one of the ways the college is playing a central role in the further development of the local workforce and in responding to the training needs of the community,” Fernandez said.
She noted that it was the Workforce Investment Agency that initially identified the need for the certification testing.
The National Work Readiness Credential program will “assist the public workforce development system by facilitating a common understanding among employers, workers and educators about the skills necessary to obtain entry-level employment.”
Fernandez said the college will be in a better position to plan and offer programs that are specifically tailored and customized to meet the training needs identified through the certification program.
NMC said employers will benefit from the program because it reduces recruitment costs, improves productivity, minimizes turnover, and lowers on-the-job training costs by being able to confidently hire entry-level workers.
Through the program, job seekers will be able to demonstrate to prospective employers that they have the knowledge and skills needed for successful performance as entry-level workers.
“One of the key features of this program is that it allows individuals to identify their strengths as well as the skills they need additional training on. The college can then assist them to prepare individual development plans so they can elevate their skill set and can meet their professional goals,” NMC said.
