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How Work Ready Communities Are Winning the Growth Game
ACT Work Ready Communities (WRC) is a framework for community-based workforce development. The primary reason more than 578 [CP1] communities have decided to participate is to drive economic growth. When your community becomes a certified Work Ready Community, you can prove the economic viability of your area to employers, location consultants, investors, and other decision-makers because:
6,111,861 people
have earned a WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certificates (NCRC).
29,213 employers
around the US have shown their support for the program.
Site Selection Magazine
uses NCRC data each year to rank state competitiveness.
22,701
jobs are profiled for skill alignment.
To indicate your community's interest in participating in the ACT Work Ready Communities initiative, complete this brief form.
82%
Counties use WRC in attracting business
89%
use ACT WRC to help retain and expand local industry.
Source: WRC Leader Survey
Other Benefits to Your Community
- Identify skills gaps and quantify the skill level of your workforce.
- Build career pathways aligned to the needs of existing local businesses and new businesses you want to attract.
- Boost your job candidate pipeline with solutions for targeted populations such as ex-offenders, immigrants, and welfare recipients.
- Improve community morale by promoting Work Ready Community certification in site/building listings, community profiles, social media, and other marketing materials.
- Support disaster recovery, revitalization, and economic resilience.
What Communities Can Participate?
Any community in the United States or U.S. territory may participate if it has a FIPS code. Counties and county equivalents such as parishes, boroughs, and census areas are eligible. More than 500 communities, including Guam, participate in Work Ready Communities.
How Communities Become Certified
To be certified as “Work Ready,” a community must follow these steps:
Apply Online
Provide ACT with details of your team’s intent to participate in the program and drive economic growth for your community.
Build Your Team
Your leadership team should include stakeholders from local government, economic development, workforce development, community/technical college, K-12 system, and business/industry.
Attend WRC Boot Camp
Join us for a workshop that will help your team initiate, deploy and drive a community effort to get certified.
Learn more about ACT WRC Boot Camp.
Achieve Your Goals
Your community will set goals based on common criteria. These criteria involve individuals earning WorkKeys NCRCs, and employer support.
Celebrate!
Congratulations! Your community is among the elite regions in the country with quantifiable evidence of a strong workforce and common desire to drive business growth. See how other communities have celebrated their achievements.
Economic Development Solutions
Economic development leaders across the nation are unlocking numerous opportunities through their Work Ready Community efforts, opening new doors to success.
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Brochure (PDF)
See more ACT WorkKeys testimonials on YouTube