News Videos

Working Together to Solve Workforce Challenges in Longview: Part One April 26, 2023

Heather Malone, vice president of Longview Economic Development Corporation in Texas, spoke to us while she was attending ACT’s Workforce Summit last fall, sharing her views on the workforce challenges affecting her community. She discussed the need for reliable transportation so that workers can meet employer labor demands. She also spoke to the ongoing skills gap in the Longview region and what they’re doing to help the workforce and employers alike.

Watch the video to hear more from Heather about:

  • The equity, access, and opportunity barriers that the Longview community faces and what the Longview Economic Development Corporation and other local agencies are doing to overcome those challenges.
  • How the Longview region is working to fill the skills gap by providing the ACT National Career Readiness Certificate.

Skills Connect People With Opportunity March 23, 2023

Eddie Thomas, assistant director, Arkansas Division of Workforce Services, attended ACT’s Workforce Summit last fall and weighed in on the top workforce challenges today with his thoughts on how workforce innovations in the near future will help companies and their employees be successful. He also talked about untapped pools of talent, barriers to workforce success like access to childcare and transportation, as well as certifications community members can earn to build their resumes. 

Watch our video to hear more about:
  • How the ACT WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certificate has helped workers in Eddie’s community.
  • The equity, access, and opportunity barriers that communities face and what the Arkansas Division of Workforce Services is doing to overcome those challenges.
  • The workforce innovations that need to take place for companies and employees to be successful.

ACT Certified its First Work Ready Community Ten Years Ago this Week March 07, 2023

Jasper County (Joplin, Missouri) was first on the national map as ACT's first-ever Work Ready Community in March of 2013. Archive video courtesy of Missouri Governors Office 

Whats Working for RoyOMartin and Their Work Development Programs January 06, 2023

Donna Bailey, vice president of human resources at RoyOMartin, joined ACT at the 2022 Workforce Summit held in New Orleans. She was the keynote speaker during the lunch awards ceremony where she highlighted the company’s WoodWorks program, which works with high school students looking to enter the wood products manufacturing field.

Watch the video to hear more from Donna about:

  • the apprenticeship program’s success;
  • why a community-based approach to economic and workforce development is important and effective; and
  • post pandemic, how focusing on skills helps with workforce resiliency and recovery.

City Council Proclamation Recognizes Work Ready Communities November 28, 2022

The Joplin, Missouri City Council presented a proclamation from Mayor Doug Lawson during their November 21st council meeting. Jasper County was first in the nation to become a Work Ready Community and recently renewed its WRC designation.

Build Skills, Confidence, and Career with WorkReady New Hamphsire and WorkKeys NCRC November 16, 2022

WorkReadyNH is a tuition-FREE Professional Development course designed to strengthen the skills that employers are looking for in current employees and job applicants. In as little as three weeks, you will: -- Practice and improve your soft skills in class, including communication, customer service, teamwork, problem solving, critical thinking, and conflict resolution. -- Enhance your resume and sharpen your interview skills. -- Hone your essential workplace skills at your own pace through online tutorials in reading and understanding workplace documents, applying math on the job, and interpreting graphs and charts. -- Earn two highly recognized credentials - WorkReadyNH Certificate from the Community College System of NH and the National Career Readiness Certificate from ACT.

Arkansas Ready for Life Uses WorkKeys to Plan Career Pathways August 22, 2022

Arkansas Ready for Life launched enhancements to their online career exploration cards that link to WorkKeys skill profiles. The new tool helps users set understand the skills they need to acquire to meet career and life goals. Available now at https://www.readyforlife.com/,   users can browse career pathways and personalize learning with a wide variety of courses. The currently employed can browse industry or other training while prospective hires can become familiar with a new field before applying to a position.

Gov. Parson keynotes highlights Missouri's workforce success August 03, 2021

Missouri Governor Mike Parson keynoted the opening of the 2021 ACT State Organizations virtual conference.  Gov. Parson shared Missouri's success with Work Ready Communities, preparing the workforce with WorkKeys, and economic recovery from disasters and pandemics alike.

Video Showcases Eco Devo and Education Collaboration in Pottawatomie County, Kansas May 24, 2021

Brief video PSA on the collaboration with local high schools and Pottawatomie County Economic Development using WorkKeys and Work Ready Communities.

Kansas School Board Briefed on WorkKeys and WRC Successes April 24, 2021

The Kansas School Board hears of success in career education and workforce/economic development during their April 2021 board meeting. Learn more at workreadycommunities.org. Presenters include: Natalie Clark, Education Program Consultant, IPS Coordinator Career, Standards, and Assessment Services, Kansas Department of Education; Breahna Crawford, College and Career Advocate Circle USD 375; Jordan Buxton, Marketing Director, Gravity::Works Architecture; Jina Kugler, School Counselor, Wamego USD 320; Jack Allston, Executive Director Pottawatomie County Economic Development Corporation; Cheri Tune, ACT Work Ready Communities.