有回报的凭证：NCRC如何推动就业稳定和工资增长

The National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC) significantly improves employment stability and wage growth for adult learners, particularly those with skills but lacking traditional credentials. The NCRC, part of the ACT WorkKeys program, assesses foundational workplace skills through three standardized assessments (Applied Math, Graphic Literacy, and Workplace Documents) and awards credentials at four levels (Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum).

Key findings from data collaboration with CredLens reveal:

• Employment Rates: NCRC holders outperform non-qualifiers and the national average. Platinum holders achieve nearly 89% employment by 2020, showing resilience even during economic downturns.
• Wage Growth: NCRC holders see median wage increases of $16K (Bronze) to $30K (Platinum) over five years, with earnings gaps widening over time. Platinum, Gold, and Silver holders surpass self-sufficiency thresholds within two years post-credential.

The NCRC works by directly measuring job-ready skills, benefiting STARs (workers skilled through alternative routes) and those bypassed by degree-based hiring. It functions as a navigation tool, helping learners identify strengths and align with labor market demands. The stackable and scalable nature allows workers to progress toward higher certifications, creating a pathway for continuous economic advancement.

The Pathways to Success program demonstrates its effectiveness, with 34% of participants improving their NCRC level, 87% earning stackable credentials, and 98% continuing education post-credential.

Policy recommendations include:

• Investing in NCRC access through adult education and workforce development.
• Embedding NCRC in Integrated Education and Training (IET) and stackable credential pathways.
• Braid funding to reduce barriers like tuition and childcare.
• Supporting shared intake and career navigation to identify learner needs early.
• Scaling programs through community-based systems, prioritizing rural and disadvantaged areas.
• Encouraging employer recognition of the NCRC in hiring and wage decisions.

The NCRC translates skills into tangible economic benefits, fostering stability and opportunity for workers and their families.