CAREER TOOLBOX

Skills Advantage in Full Swing in the
Cedar Rapids-Iowa City Corridor  

Frank Rydzewski, President and CEO of American Profol, Inc. in Cedar Rapids , signs on as a charter member of the Skills Advantage initiative.

In late January, 2006, a new job skills assessment program was launched in the Cedar Rapids-Iowa City Corridor.  Kirkwood Community College, Priority One—the economic development arm of the Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Iowa City Area Development Group launched a new job skills assessment program on January 25, 2006.  Already 15 businesses, representing thousands of employees, in the Corridor are implementing Skills Advantage as part of their hiring process.   

Skills Advantage is a new initiative to strengthen the Cedar Rapids-Iowa City Corridor’s workforce.  In partnership with Kirkwood Community College, this employer-led, business strategy certifies worker skill proficiency in multiple areas.   

What does this mean to you?  Since a career will be in your future, it means a great deal.  Skills Advantage gives workers a definitive edge during the hiring process and helps businesses select the ‘right’ employee.  The program communicates the necessary foundation skills to gain employment and reach successful performance in the workplace. 

Skills Advantage works this way:  Jobseekers take the ACT Work Keys job skills assessments prior to hiring.  The Core ACT assessments include Locating Information, Applied Math, and Reading for Information.  Based on scores, test-takers and jobseekers receive one of three Work Ready Certificates – Gold, Silver or Bronze.  Applicants who wish to improve scores or who do not meet standards can seek additional training from an education provider.  Skills Advantage helps K-12 schools understand the skills businesses need and require from their employees.  

To learn more about Work Keys and what it means to your future, log on to www.ClickOnMyCareer.com.  In the “Find a Career” link you will be able to see the levels of skills that are needed for specific jobs.  In the “Toolbox” link you will several links with more information on Work Keys.  Be sure to ask your high school career counselor how you can take advantage of Work Keys, the skills proficiency tests.  

The Cedar Rapids and Iowa City Area Chambers of Commerce (representing over 3,000 businesses), Iowa City Area Development Group and Priority have all endorsed Skills Advantage.   

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