ACT WorkKeys for Workforce and Economic Developers

Assessments, Curriculum and Skills Profiling

Research + Results = Career Readiness

Developed with the same knowledge and research expertise responsible for the ACT® test, WorkKeys® assessments and training help lead individuals and businesses to success. Our solutions are helping strengthen job readiness and skills development for more than 10 million businesses, government agencies, professional associations, education institutions, and individuals in the United States and internationally.

What is the WorkKeys suite?

WorkKeys is a system of assessments, curriculum and skills profiling that determine, build, and measure essential workplace skills that can affect your job performance and increase opportunities for career changes and advancement.

What We Test - And Why

ACT® WorkKeys® assessments are based on situations in the everyday working world. They are supported by data from more than 20,000 job skills profiles and rooted in decades of workplace research. The assessments measure “hard” and “soft” skills, helping:

  • Individuals, from career seekers to longtime employees, measure their skills and advance their career goals
  • Educators, from high school through college, ensure their students are ready for career success
  • Employers find, hire, and develop quality talent
  • Workforce and economic developers prepare their workforce to attract and maintain business and industry
  • Industry associations and advocacy organizations develop valuable skills credentialing systems for a more productive, reliable, and profitable workforce

Most tests are web-based and take one hour. Scores are easily verified online.

ACT® WorkKeys® and the National Career Readiness Certificate®  (NCRC®)

Developed by the experts at ACT

Individuals are entering the workforce without the skills employers need. ACT WorkKeys assessments is a first step toward closing skills gaps and improving workforce quality.

WorkKeys is a skills assessment system that helps employers select, hire, train, develop, and retain a quality workforce. To earn the National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC), candidates must successfully complete WorkKeys assessments in Applied Math, Graphic Literacy, and Workplace Documents.

Job Profiling

Job profiles identify the skill levels required for an occupation across jobs, companies, or industries. Job profiles can be used to set instructional standards and develop curricula designed to help students meet the skill requirements for occupations.

ACT WorkKeys Curriculum

Help individuals improve the skills essential to workplace success.

ACT WorkKeys Curriculum® is anchored by decades of research describing the impact of foundational skills and behaviors on job performance across the United States. It’s a proven tool for helping individuals acquire skills critical to workplace success.

Announcing Digital Badges for the ACT WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC)

We’re excited to announce that ACT has partnered with Credly to award Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze WorkKeys NCRC earners with digital badges. This is an opt-in service, allowing achievements and badges to be easily socialized to online platforms.

ACT Work Ready Communities

ACT Workforce solutions are helping counties, states, and regions throughout the nation build a more productive workforce and encourage economic growth through the ACT Work Ready Communities® (WRC) initiative.

Map of Work Ready Communities in the United States

How job skills help communities

Career readiness credentials are creating a buzz in education and workforce development because they arm students and job seekers with proof of their real-world skills.

But job seekers aren’t the only group helped by these credentials. They help businesses stay competitive and help communities attract employers.

Learn more about how communities are benefiting from certifying job skills.

Have questions? Call 800-967-5539, send us an email, or complete this form.