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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
6,075,643
ACT WorkKeys NCRC Levels:
Platinum:
258,250
Gold:
1,256,161
Silver:
3,024,045
Bronze:
1,537,187
Participating Communities:
Employers Supporting:
Job Profiles:
572
29,115
22,699
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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
46% DeSoto,Louisiana |
32% Vernon,Louisiana |
32% Caddo,Louisiana |
4% Kent County,Michigan |
5% Jackson County,Missouri |
7% Clark County,Nevada |
Recently Certified Communities
January 2025
January 2025
December 2024
December 2024
October 2024
October 2024
October 2024
September 2024
August 2024
August 2024
Recently Maintained Communities
February 2025
February 2025
February 2025
February 2025
February 2025
January 2025
January 2025
January 2025
January 2025
January 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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Cooper and Moniteau Counties Celebrate Work Ready Community Recognition
Feb. 6, 2025
Moniteau Presiding Commissioner Joe Lutz and 2nd District Commissioner Jerry Volkart recently accepted the Work Ready Community Award on behalf…
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Internship Bridges Education and Industry at East Baton Rouge
Feb. 3, 2025
The East Baton Rouge Parish School System has taken a significant step in ensuring that students are not just academically…
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Genesee Hits WRC Milestone
Jan. 23, 2025
Genesee County’s ACT Work Ready Communities campaign has quickly hit its first milestone with support from various employers. Business signups…
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Fresh Ohio Research Shows Credential and Completion Gains with WorkKeys
Jan. 23, 2025
All three ACT WorkKeys assessments were significant predictors of successful program completion and credential attainment, according to thesis research of…
The Voice of the Workforce Ecosystem
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