Practice Exchange

Ilene Gast, Associate Editor

This column highlights innovative public sector programs at the Federal, state, and local level. If you are conducting a project that would interest the ACN readers, or if you know someone who is, please let me hear from you. I can be reached by phone at (202) 305-0590, by fax at (202) 305-3664, or electronic mail at ifgast@aol.com.

Act's Work Keys System: A Tool for Assessing Job Skill Requirements

by Joyce McClarty

The Work Keys^TM system, was developed by ACT, Inc., a private, not-for-profit educational organization. The Work Keys system provides information about job skill requirements and individual skill levels in Applied Mathematics, Applied Technology, Listening, Locating Information, Observation, Reading for Information, Teamwork, and Writing. ACT-trained job analysts work with job incumbents to determine which skills and skill levels are required for specific jobs. Individuals are then assessed using the Work Keys tests. Because the job analysis and assessments are linked to a common scale, test results can be compared directly to the levels established for the jobs to establish minimum qualification standards.

Because the Work Keys system provides a direct link between job analysis information and testing, it offers both a defensible basis for establishing the minimum standard and the ability to use the same test for different positions. This eliminates the added resource requirements associated with providing different tests for different jobs requiring the same general skill but at different levels. The Work Keys system addresses EEOC content validation standards. Adverse impact varies by the skill and level required for the job, but is often below that associated with average scores on a comparable assessment.

Work Keys' achievement focus and fairly extensive individual and group score reports are designed to provide applicants, employers, and educators with the information they need to improve training and instruction in these skills. This feedback results in improved communication about the skills and skill levels required for employment and helps educators and trainers better prepare learners for the workforce.

The Work Keys system is also excellent for identifying the remedial generic skill training needs of incumbent employees. By analyzing the skill levels required by a job, assessing those of current employees, and comparing the results, it is possible to determine which employees need additional training and by how many levels they need to improve in order to meet the requirements of the job. The resulting information can reduce training costs and improve training efficiency as training can then be targeted to needs and its success evaluated with post-testing.

Work Keys tests are suitable for group administration; accommodations for individuals with some types of disabilities are available. Prices and testing times vary by skill area. Tests may be purchased directly from ACT or through a Work Keys Service Center. Processing through ACT is on a batch basis and requires about 2 weeks. Service centers have electronic scoring that permits processing of the multiple-choice format tests on a same-day basis.

Request additional information about ACT's Work Keys system including assessments, job profiler training and referrals to an authorized job profiler by calling 1-800-WORKKEY or Dr. Joy McLarty at (319) 337-1197.