National Career Readiness Certificate helps to place employees

May 6, 2022

(AHOSKIE) Sometimes employers need a little help placing the right employee in the right job!

That’s when the National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC) Program at Roanoke-Chowan Community College can help. Not only do they help employers with human resources development teaching classes and consultation for ‘working smarter’ in the workplace, the Human Resource Development Department at R-CCC can assist with ‘career readiness’ tools.

The NCRC is a portable, evidence-based credential that certifies the essential skills for workplace success. Employers look for it from job candidates, whether they come directly from high school, work-based learning programs, or through postsecondary paths, because it is a valid predictor of job performance.

“The National Career Readiness Certificate is a great measuring tool when trying to place individuals in certain positions,” states Crystal Mabine, Human Resources Manager for Alfiniti located in Winton. “We require the NCRC for higher skilled positions, but I highly recommend anyone to request testing to better themselves in the workplace and potentially grow within the organization.”

Mabine works with Ja’Queta Pugh-Stevenson, coordinator of the National Career Readiness Program for R-CCC. Together, they have used the NCRC to help determine strengths and weaknesses which could point to areas where an employee needs to improve or apply skills to work-related situations.

Alfiniti has plants in the US and Canada and a leading supplier in North America of aluminum drawn and precision extruded tubing. They supply to over 500 companies on three continents in the automotive, defense, general industrial and distribution areas.

“Practicing prior to taking the NCRC test is recommended,” explains Mabine, who encourages the use of the free practice software Workkeys Curriculum before testing. “This helps them become more comfortable when they are scheduled to sit in front of the screen and perform the test. We also are willing to hand out hard copies of the test to employees who are interested in taking the NCRC to grow within the company.”

“We would love to see the NCRC tool used throughout business and industry sites in the Roanoke-Chowan area,” says Ja’queta Pugh-Stevenson, Coordinator of Human Resources Development and Career Readiness Certificate Program, R-CCC.

“It’s a great tool for our employees here to better prepare them for higher skilled positions,” concluded Mabine.

The cost of the National Career Readiness Certificate testing for jobseekers or employees is $36.

For more information about the National Career Readiness Certificate program at R-CCC, contact Ja’Queta Pugh-Stevenson at Roanoke-Chowan Community College at (252) 862-1235; or at jcpugh5089@roanokechowan.edu.