Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County Technical Assistance Memorandum # 21 TO: WIA Youth, Adult, and Dislocated Worker Service Providers WorkSource Partners DATE: November 6, 2012 SUBJECT: Job Seeker Assessment Categories, Tools and Resources Background This memorandum is to provide further information about job seeker assessments available for use in WorkSource Seattle-King County. The Assessment Categories and Tools chart that follows, details the five areas of assessment, related tools and acceptable documentation. WDC-Funded Program Assessments Accurate and ongoing assessment is a key element in all WDC-funded programs to assure job seekers successful employment and self sufficiency. It is mandatory that all youth and adults enrolled with WIA programs be assessed at a baseline/appraisal level in five skill areas directly related to successful employment: 1. Academics 2. Career planning 3. Employment preparation and work readiness 4. 5. planning From baseline results, further assessment at diagnostic, progress and competency levels is required for customers with skill development needs. Staff will recommend appropriate assessments to customers, who will then make informed choices regarding further assessment and skill development. Each customer must fully understand what the assessment process includes, its purpose and how it applies to their employment goals. Ongoing customer assessment is facilitated by WDC funded service provider staff. Assessment within WDC programs must: Target employability skills Be customized to individuals needs, providing flexibility and customer choice Identify individual strengths and areas for development Be reflected in the customer services strategy Establish measurements used to document progress toward retained employment and self sufficiency
Acceptable assessment methods, using one or more of the following tools or strategies, include: Standardized, nationally recognized tests Performance tests Structured interviews Inventories Self-assessment checklists Structured observational checklists using rating criteria Evidence of assessment must be maintained in the customer record, using one or more tool or strategy. Acceptable documentation of assessment results and decision-making include: Updated Individual Employment Plans/Individual Service Strategies Completed Individual Training Account (ITA) research packages Copies of test results Copies of diplomas/certificates/credentials Case notes School transcripts/wasl test results Calculator printout
SKILLS and KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED FOR SUCCESSFUL EMPLOYMENT Reading Math English (speaking, writing) Self-Knowledge Interests, Skills, Values, Abilities, Work Experience, Military status Occupational Resources Understanding Labor Market, Training Options Funding Resources Employment Readiness Applications Resume Cover Letter Job Search Interviewing Living Wage Info Income/Sources Budgeting Required self sufficiency wages Keyboarding Job related Internet Email Microsoft Programs or software required for employment of choice. Occupational Choices 1
ASSESSMENTS AVAILABLE through WIA/WORKSOURCE Career Coach CASAS Personal (Career Ready) Interview WorkForce Explorer Personal Interview Calculator and Internet Assessment (TIA) Career Coach O*NET America s Career Info Net WorkSource College Connection Career Services sites (various assessments) Checkoutacollege (interest survey for LEP) Health Career Readiness Sphere Express Credit Union (@ WS sites) Typing Programs ESD s Microsoft elearning (WOW) ESD s Skillsoft: Test Prep for Microsoft products Microsoft s Digital Literacy (14 languages) Elevate America s Veterans 2
GED ESL ABE Credit Retrieval High School Completion Tutoring WIA/WORKSOURCE WORKSHOPS/COURSES/RESOURCES and TOOLS AVAILABLE Career Coach Career Coach Workshops/Labs/Clinics Workforce Explorer Job Search O*Net Applications Personal Interview Resumes Sector forums Cover Letters Interviewing Personal Interview Goodwill: Learn Free Calculator ITA packet Map Your Career Job Outlook Career Bridge checkoutacollege True Colors Bilingual Online Handbook (6 languages) Job Clubs Bilingual Online Handbook (6 languages) Workshops Personal Interview Calculator (with Google Translator) Express Credit Union (various languages) ESD s Skillsoft: QuickBooks Fundamentals Basics Excel LinkedIn ESD s Microsoft elearning (WOW) ESD s Skillsoft: Microsoft, Adobe, Lotus, Seagate, SAP, Apple, Google, Web Design Microsoft s Digital Literacy (14 Languages) Elevate America s Veterans Goodwill: Learn Free Goodwill: Learn Free 3
DOCUMENTATION OF SKILL/LEVEL Diplomas Degrees Certificates Credential School Transcripts Credits Work Skills WASL Professional Diagnostic Report Individual Service Strategy/ Individual Employment Plan SS Calculator Print Out/Test cases Completed ITA packet WorkShop completion Calculator print out Completed Budget My Action Plan (MAP) TIA ( and Internet) assessment results Digital Literacy Certificates Microsoft Credentials Keyboarding Program results 4