Workers in our region can now add some zing to their job applications, thanks to a new pilot program sponsored by the Mississippi community colleges. The cost of the new training and assessment program is free to area workers.

The new Career Readiness Certificate (CRC) Program has now been adopted statewide and offers workplace skills training using the KeyTrain computer training system. Skill assessments are measured through the nationally-recognized WorkKeys Employment System. The program is available locally at Meridian Community College.

Applicants are required to register and take an initial assessment in three workplace skills areas: Reading for Information; Locating Information (using charts and graphs); and Applied Mathematics. The initial assessment scores can be used to determine training needs or, if the scores are above certain levels, the worker can receive a Bronze, Silver, or Gold Mississippi Career Readiness Certificate (MCRC).

According to Meridian Community College (MCC) Career Development Center Director Darlene Mayatt, more companies are recognizing and requiring the WorkKeys Credential.

“This is a great opportunity for workers and students to get a nationally-recognized credential at no cost to them,” said Mayatt. “A WorkKeys credential is required for all teachers’ assistants as part of the No Child Left Behind Act, and now those applicants can test for free as well.”

MCC’s Career Development Center has already awarded more than 550 CRC certificates this year. Now that the new pilot program allows MCC to provide the assessments at no charge to students and workers, that number is expected to increase dramatically as more companies require certification from their new hires.

WorkKeys was developed by ACT, Inc., the creators of the nationally recognized college entrance exam. According to the KeyTrain Web site: “ACT’s rigorous approach has guaranteed that the WorkKeys assessment and job profiling systems are EEOC compliant and legally defensible. This means that, when properly used, businesses can make hiring and promotion decisions based on WorkKeys with confidence and security.”

For more information on the CRC process, contact Darlene Mayatt at (601) 484-8724. The initial registration and assessment will take about three-and-a-half hours.