Pearl River Community College continues to offer testing at the Lowery A. Woodall Advanced Technology Center to earn a National Career Readiness Certificate.
The ACT WorkKeys test assesses test-takers in three categories: Applied Math (workplace math), Graphic Literacy (reading graphs, tables and charts) and Workplace Documents (reading for information).
Testing is held on Mondays and Wednesdays. There is no cost for the three-hour test, and the assessment yields a nationally recognized credential.
“Many local employers use the NCRC as a pre-employment screening test,” said Rebecca Brown, PRCC dean for community and economic development. “This test shows employers that you are job ready. It also shows businesses looking to locate here that we have a strong and highly-qualified workforce.”
The NCRC is not specific to one type of industry. It is a general certification that can be used in different fields, like medical manufacturing, office administration and education, among many others.
“This certificate is also a prerequisite for applying to workforce programs such as manufacturing skills, emergency medical technicians, certified clinical medical assistants, welding and others,” said Brown.
Job seekers, as well as unemployed or under-employed individuals, can take the test. Future workforce students who are undecided on a career can begin the process by taking the test.
Local high school students in the Pine Belt are participating in the program through their schools. The certificate is nationally portable.
For more information or to register, call Stephanie Clark, Woodall Center coordinator, at (601) 554-4646. The Woodall Center is located at 906 Sullivan Drive in Hattiesburg.
