Brandon
Does the National Career Readiness certification imply that your employer will want to promote you?
When I was taking the National Career Readiness certification (NCRC) exam, there were many people who are being employed by places like Fanuiel and Eastman Chemical. So, I wonder if their employers actually want to promote them or if they just want to see their employee's status. #career-development #employee-training #promotions #ncrc #career-readiness #employee-engagement
2 answers
Katie Manderson, MA, ACC
Katie’s Answer
I also don't know the NCRC and looked it up as well. To be honest if I saw it on someone's resume I don't know that I would look it up or that it would have much of an effect on whether or not I hire them. It seems like it is for folks that haven't yet gone to school or who might not go. When I'm hiring for more entry level jobs I'm looking for more attitude and fit. I have the theory that most people can learn pretty much anything, so at that point it is all about fit. When I'm hiring more mid-range types of jobs I"m looking at skills and how you demonstrate that you actually have them. Education is great, but sometimes people just aren't cut out for tests, so a test wouldn't sway me one way or the other.
Spruce Cox
Spruce’s Answer
From their website, an NCSC is a "portable, evidence-based credential that certifies the essential skills for workplace success. Employers look for it from job candidates, whether they come directly from high school or through post-secondary paths, because it is a valid predictor of job performance."
And later, "NCSC is the foundation of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) stackable credential program. It is also a key component of credentialing programs in other industries, such as energy, construction, and information technology. Students on various career paths earn the ACT NCRC on their way to earning industry credentials and certifications."
http://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/workkeys-for-educators/ncrc.html
To answer your question directly, I suggest that NCSC is a foundational credential that evaluates a job candidate's basic proficiency at their three "essential skills for workplace success" and is probably used by an employer more to help in hiring and placement decisions and in estimating likelihood of employee success rather than as a promotional requirement. When you get up into the higher level credentials such as Java programmer or journeyman welder, these are more likely to be make-or-break hiring requirements or if you're with the same company when you get certified a chance for advancement, but obtaining a high level credential or even an advanced college degree seldom trigger an automatic pay raise. Pay raises for professional jobs are usually determined by job performance, or for skilled craftsmen it's usually union scale or other predetermined arrangements. Good luck. career-development