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What is an ACT Work Ready Community?
ACT Work Ready Communities (WRC) empower states, regions, and counties with data, processes, and tools that drive economic growth. Participants leverage the ACT WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC) to measure and close the skills gap and build common frameworks that link, align, and match their workforce development efforts.
States with state- or county-led ACT Work Ready Communities
Use this map to find communities including counties, parishes and other county equivalents that participate in the Work Ready Communities program. Select a state or territory to see which communities are working to build an ecosystem that attracts new businesses and benefits workers, employers, and the community-at-large.
Create a Custom Region
Build a report on any economic region by selecting adjacent communities. The report will show aggregate data for the region’s progress towards Work Ready Community goals.
Total ACT WorkKeys National
Career Readiness Certificates
6,159,186
ACT WorkKeys NCRC Levels:
Platinum:
266,598
Gold:
1,273,974
Silver:
3,055,755
Bronze:
1,562,859
Participating Communities:
Employers Supporting:
Job Profiles:
578
29,240
22,704
Participating Communities :
Employers Supporting :
Job Profiles :
Growth of ACT® WorkKeys®
Communities
Communities may engage in the ACT Work Ready Communities program. Any municipality may be accepted into the Boot Camp to build and launch their Work Ready Communities initiative.
Learn more about how your community can participateCommunity Fast Facts
See who is leading the country in their efforts to build communities that are great for individuals and employers.
Counties with the Most Improvers
Small Up to 29,999 |
Medium 30,000 - 99,999 |
Large A 100,000 - 399,999 |
Large B 400,000 - 649,999 |
Very Large 650,000 - 999,999 |
Mega Over 1,000,000 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
47% DeSoto,Louisiana |
33% Vernon,Louisiana |
34% Caddo,Louisiana |
4% Kent County,Michigan |
5% Jackson County,Missouri |
8% Clark County,Nevada |
Recently Certified Communities
June 2025
June 2025
May 2025
May 2025
April 2025
April 2025
January 2025
January 2025
December 2024
December 2024
Recently Maintained Communities
July 2025
June 2025
June 2025
June 2025
June 2025
May 2025
May 2025
May 2025
May 2025
May 2025
Site Selectors and Businesses are Taking Notice
Site Selection Magazine Regional Workforce Development Rankings include ACT NCRCs as one of five measures of workforce-related resources!
How does your state stack up?
Site Selection Magazine reaches global corporate location decision-makers.
Find Out NowThe Role of Employers
Employers are the fuel that drives successful state and county Work Ready Communities initiatives simply by recognizing the ACT WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certificate. In doing so, they will have a more qualified workforce ready to fill their jobs.
Learn more about why employers should recognize ACT WorkKeys NCRCs.Hire the Best Employees
Employers can rest assured that when an applicant has the National Career Readiness Certificate on their resume, they have verified skills in:
- Workplace documents
- Applied math
- Graphic literacy

In The News
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DRA Funds for Strategic Workforce Initiatives Impacting 62 Work Ready Communities
Jul. 10, 2025
The Delta Regional Authority (DRA) recently awarded approximately $7 million toward 25 workforce development projects supporting economic development and prosperity…
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Rural Remote Work Trends Mapped in New Report
Jul. 10, 2025
Rural workforce ecosystems provide insights on challenges facing rural, midcareer workers. Commissioned by Generation and supported by the Workday Foundation,…
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Shelton State Adult Education recognized for work readiness program's success
Jul. 10, 2025
Shelton State Community College Adult Education is getting accolades for its career readiness program and computers for the students in…
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Oswego WRC Boosts Readiness for Major Micron Investments
Jul. 9, 2025
The Oswego County Micron Strategy Steering Committee hosted its second annual summit on Thursday, June 20, at SUNY Oswego’s Marano…
The Voice of the Workforce Ecosystem
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