Preliminary Research and Literature Review
The initial work that led to the creation and validation of the current list of skills
- Are They Really Ready to Work? Employers’ Perspectives on the Basic Knowledge and Applied Skills of New Entrants to the 21st Century U.S. Workforce
“This report underscores the importance of increased workforce readiness . . . . [N]ew entrants to the U.S. workforce must be equipped with the basic knowledge and applied skills necessary to be competitive in the global economy of the 21st century.”—The Conference Board, Corporate Voices for Working Families, the Partnership for 21st Century Skills, and the Society for Human Resource Management
- 2005 Skills Gap Report—A Survey of the American Manufacturing Workforce
This report attempts to identify the 2005 skills shortages and the future employment needs of businesses. Key quote: “…human capital performance gap threatens our nation’s ability to compete in today’s fast-moving and increasingly demanding global economy. It is emerging as our nation’s most critical business issue.”—Deloitte & Touche USA and The National Association of Manufacturers - 21st Century Skills Education & Competitiveness a Resource and Policy Guide
“This guide summarizes the challenges and opportunities that, if left unaddressed, will curtail our competitiveness and diminish our standing in the world.”—Partnership for 21st Century Skills (P21) and e-Luminate Group - Critical Skills Needs and Resources for the Changing Workforce
This “report is based on a survey that asked HR professionals and employees about the various skills, activities and content areas needed in today’s workplace.”—Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and WSJ.com/Careers (The Wall Street Journal/Careers Journal) - Review of Literature for the Virginia Workplace Readiness Skills Revision, 2009
This report provides summaries and reviews of the research titles that informed the revision of the Workplace Readiness Skills.—CTE Resource Center
Process
Milestones crossed to bring workplace readiness skills from idea to implementation
- Virginia State Superintendent Memo: Assessment for Workplace Readiness Skills for the Commonwealth
This communication from Virginia’s State Superintendent announces the new examination, explains its role in addressing graduation requirements, and provides administration details.—Virginia Department of Education - Workplace Readiness Skills Revision Timeline
This graphic illustrates the history of the Workplace Readiness Skills from 1997 through April 2011.—CTE Resource Center - Virginia’s Workplace Readiness Skills Correlated to the Partnership for 21st Century Skills
This side-by-side correlation shows how the Workplace Readiness Skills address and support the Partnerships for 21st Century Skills.—CTE Resource Center
Products, Promotion, and Review
Reports, promotional items, assessment data, and FAQs
- The New Workplace Readiness Skills for the Commonwealth
These are the 21 skills adopted by the Virginia Board of Education in April 2010. - Workplace Readiness Skills for the Commonwealth Presentation: Are You Ready for the Workplace? (An Introduction for Students)
This Powerpoint file can be downloaded by teachers to show in the classroom to impress upon students the value and importance of Workplace Readiness Skills. - Verso: Virginia’s Educational Resource System Online
This online curriculum management system is Virginia teachers’ gateway to the Workplace Readiness Skills and supporting instructional resources. - Conferences and Inservices
Presentations on the Virginia WRS model have been conducted at the following national venues:- NAWI, April 2010, Arlington, Virginia
- Nevada ACTE, July 2011, Lake Tahoe
- National Career Pathway Network, NCPN 2011, Orlando
- CTECS Community of Practice Meeting, November 2011, Atlanta
- Association of Career and Technical Educators, ACTE 2011, St. Louis
- Nevada’s CTE Advisory Council, February 2012, Reno:
Timeline for the Virginia Workplace Readiness Skills Model;
Workplace Readiness in Virginia (part 1 | part 2 | part 3 | full slide show PDF | slide notes)
- Critical Workplace Skills for Virginia’s Economic Vitality
“This publication summarizes recent national reports and the results of our communication with Virginia employers.”
- Partnership for 21st Century Skills
The Partnership for 21st Century Skills is a national organization that advocates for 21st century readiness for every student. - Workplace Readiness Skills for the Commonwealth: An Overview (Video)
This video provides statistics about the U.S. workforce and employment and leads teachers to the resources available for teaching Workplace Readiness. - The New Workplace Readiness Skills for the Commonwealth: Virginia’s Research-Based Approach to Teaching and Testing Employability and Life Skills
This presents the history of the revision: from the initial research through curriculum development to the establishment of an industry credential. - Workplace Readiness Skills for the Commonwealth Poster
This 11x17 poster lists the 21 skills and is available in print and as a downloadable PDF. - Virginia’s Credentialing Initiative Trend Data
This sheet provides basic information about the industry certifications, licensures, and other credentials recognized in Virginia and available to CTE students. It illustrates the growth of earned credentials over the past three years. - CTECS WRS Assessment Data: Nov. 2011–Jan. 2012 | Apr. 2011–Jan. 2012
Click the CTECS link to learn more about the assessment; click the test data reports to see statistics for the credentialing examination.