The Moniteau County Regional Economic Development Council (MRED) board of directors met Wednesday, Oct. 8, at the Downtown Cafe in Tipton.
Executive Director Ken Parrett discussed briefly the planned expansion of a Tipton restaurant equipment business is on track to begin in the spring. This business involves a $400,000 expansion and two or three new employees.
Parrett also reviewed with those present the efforts to bring the Moniteau County Work Ready program up to the level it needs to be. All that remains is to raise the number of people who have qualified for the National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC), since more than the minimum number of supporting employers have signed.
There are three workforce categories - Emerging, Current and Transitioning. Emerging NCRC holders includes those who are getting ready to enter the workforce. Current NCRC holders includes those presently in the workforce. Transitioning NCRC holders includes those who are presently looking for work.There are four levels of certification - bronze, silver, gold and platinum.
Currently, Moniteau County has more than enough in the Current category to qualify, but lacks quite a few in the Emerging and Transitioning categories. The county ranks at 30 percent of the necessary goals obtained.
Parrett said funds are available to pay for some of the testing, and testing is available at State Fair Community College (SFCC) by appointment. ACT's NCRC is a portable research-based credential that demonstrates achievement and a certain level of workplace employability skills based on three WorkKeys assessments: Applied Mathematics, Locating Information and Reading for Information. The test questions are based on situations found in everyday work. Other Foundational Skills Assessments include: Applied Technology, Business Writing, Listening for Understanding, Teamwork, Workplace Observation, Soft Skills Assessments, Fit Performance and Talent.
The industry-recognized credential certifies essential skills needed for workplace success. Used across all sectors of the economy, it documents the following cognitive skills: Problem solving, Critical thinking, Reading and using work-related text, Applying information from workplace documents to solve problems, Applying mathematical reasoning to work-related problems, Setting up and performing work-related mathematical calculations, Locating, synthesizing, and applying information that is presented graphically, and Comparing, summarizing, and analyzing information presented in multiple related graphics.
A three hour on-line test is necessary to earn the WorkReady Certificate. The testing is available through State Fair Community College, Sedalia, and career centers, but not locally at this time. More work is needed to convince young emerging workers that the test is worthwhile, even if not presently required.