WorkKeys

Letter from Mr. Ehmann (2022)

What is WorkKeys?

WorkKeys is a system of assessments, curriculum, and skill profiles that builds and measures essential workplace skills that can affect job performance and increase opportunities for career changes and advancement.

All DHS students who are identified as having a Career and Technical Education (CTE) concentration or are expected to have a concentration by the time of graduation from high school, will participate in the ACT WorkKeys Assessment. A CTE concentrator is a student who has earned four or more technical credits in a Career Cluster, at least one of which is a completer course. A completer course is usually the second level of a class (Foods II, Woodworking II, etc.). There are three required ACT WorkKeys assessments:

Applied Math, 34 questions: The Applied Math assessment measures critical thinking, mathematical reasoning, and problem solving techniques for situations that actually occur in today’s workplace. While individuals may use calculators and conversion tables to help with the problems on the assessment, math skills are still needed to think them through.
Graphic Literacy, 38 questions: From charts to graphs, diagrams to floor plans, identifying what information is being presented and understanding how to use it are critical to success. The Graphic Literacy assessment measures skills that individuals use when they read and comprehend graphical materials to solve work-related problems.
Workplace Documents, 35 questions: The Workplace Documents assessment measures skills that individuals use when they read real workplace documents and use that information to make job-related decisions and solve problems. The documents include messages, emails, letters, directions, signs, bulletins, policies, websites, contracts, and regulations.

All students who complete a portion of the assessment will receive an individualized student score report. Students who meet the eligibility requirements will earn an ACT WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certificate (ACT WorkKeys NCRC) and a cord for graduation (for those who level at Silver, Gold, and Platinum).

Once students view their test scores, they can create, print, and share their ACT WorkKeys NCRC with employers.

Who takes WorkKeys?

Most seniors and early grads who have taken 2 CTE courses in the same pathway will take WorkKeys between November 18th - 26th, 2024. The ACT WorkKeys will be given to all eligible remaining seniors between February 10th - 14th, 2025. <2 courses in the same pathway looks like taking Foods I and II, or Woodworking I and II. It is not taking Foods I and Health Science I.>