Skills-Based Workforce Development
We know that when communities work together, they can achieve truly great things.
This is why we created ACT Work Ready Communities (WRC), a collaborative that empowers states, regions, and counties to connect and foster data-driven economic growth. We work with communities to identify and close skills gaps and develop processes and frameworks that help them take their workforce development efforts to the next level.
With Work Ready Communities in 60% of U.S. states already, we’ve had the chance to see how this support, camaraderie, and idea sharing has helped so many communities thrive.
Congratulations 2022 ACT Work Ready Communities Award Recipients
Each year during the ACT® Workforce Summit, we recognize outstanding ACT® Work Ready Communities (WRC) for their achievements in fostering success for learners and employers. This year’s recipients have proven their outstanding dedication to becoming certified or completing goals to maintain certification while working through one of the most challenging times in our recent history.
Congratulations to the 2022 ACT Work Ready Communities Award recipients, who have demonstrated a commitment to developing a strong workforce pipeline, which is paramount to building stronger communities and fostering business and economic growth.
"What you have done has allowed us to make the case that we have the workforce that is trained [and] ready to go – We know exactly their levels of expertise. They are certified, and we can make the case that southeast Arkansas is ready to do business and ready to receive a new investment of industry." – Gov. Asa Hutchinson
Representatives were present as the Missouri Job Center awarded the ACT WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certificate to Webster County. From left to right: Stan Whitehurst, Dale Fraker (Northern Commissioner), Cynthia Collins & Erica Schmeekle (Missouri Career Center), Craig Hurst (English Teacher at MHS), Paul Ipock (Presiding Commissioner), and Randy Owens (Southern Commissioner).
What Leaders in Workforce Development are Saying
Mike Parson
“Initiatives like ACT Work Ready Communities are critical to preparing our future generation for high-skill, high-demand jobs, and we are proud to be leading the nation in this effort."
-Mike Parson, Missouri Governor
Tanya Foreman
“At Eastman, we want good-paying jobs and rewarding career opportunities for everyone in our community. And engaging in ACT Work Ready Communities is enabling us to work with other business and community leaders to introduce students and residents to ACT WorkKeys and the ACT WorkKeys NCRC and how it can help them take charge of their career decisions.”
-Tanya Foreman, Education Initiatives Manager, Eastman Chemical Co.
Teresa Nortillo
“Not only does WorkKeys function as a preferred assessment tool in industry today, but the WRC website allows me to compare communities so I can recommend to my clients the counties with the best scores and percentage of population taking the assessment.”
-Teresa Nortillo, Nortillo Consulting Group
Robby Burgan
“ACT Work Ready Communities are setting themselves apart by intentionally developing their local workforce in support of their existing companies while positioning themselves to attract new companies."
-Robby Burgan, Former Manager of Location Strategies, Evergreen Advisors
Tracey Faulkner
"Being a Work Ready Community champion allows the ease of hiring the best people, and trust what you hired them to do. It allows me to help match the employees to jobs based on verified skill levels. Finding the candidate who possesses the proper trade skill through the ACT Work Ready Program reduces the overall recruiting, onboarding, and training cost. It’s a win-win for all involved."
-Tracey Faulkner, Former Director of Human Resources, R-Tech Tool & Machine, Inc.
Work Ready Communities Use These ACT Workforce Solutions to Build a Stronger Workforce Ecosystem
National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC)
A portable, industry-recognized credential that clearly identifies an individual’s work ready skills.
ACT WorkKeys
The job skill assessment taken by NCRC recipients.
ACT WorkKeys Curriculum
A tool for helping individuals build skills critical for workplace success.
More About ACT Work Ready Communities
What's Trending in Workforce?
We pride ourselves on staying ahead of trends in workforce development and pioneering the next game-changing solution to help businesses thrive. Complete the form to receive your bi-monthly Workforce newsletter, where you'll learn about topics related to:
- Upskilling.
- Economic development.
- Talent retention.
- Work-based learning.
- Corrections.
- Apprenticeships.
- Upcoming events and deadlines.
- Insights from industry experts.
Ready to empower your workforce with ACT Work Ready Communities?
Have questions? Call 800-967-5539, or complete this contact form.