DIVISION REPORT: NEW & RELATED SERVICES.

DIVISION REPORT: NEW & RELATED SERVICES. IN THIS REPORT The Work Keys system is a common element among the 12 sections ofthe New & Related Services Division. This report focuses on thebenefits of Work Keys, which helps employers worldwide identify theskills employees need to be successful. Thomas N. Applegate, field editor of this Division Report also isvice president of the New & Related Services Division. The Work Keys Workforce AVA's New & Related Services Division is a diversegrouping of 12 different affiliated sections of vocational educators.Because the varied sections have different focuses, there rarely is acommon factor among the group. A notable exception, however, is the useof the Work Keys system, developed by ACT, Inc. Members of the Adult Vocational Education vocational education,training designed to advance individuals' general proficiency, especially in relation to their present or future occupations. The term does not normally include training for the professions. Association (AVEA AVEA American Veterinary Exhibitors Association ),Customized Business and Industry Training (CBITS CBITS Customized Business and Industry Training ServicesCBITS Computer Based Instruction Training System ) and school-to-careersand tech prep organizations are using the Work Keys system to help builda world-class workforce. What is Work Keys Developed by American College American College is the name of: American College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland The American College in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India The American College of the Immaculate Conception, Leuven (also known as Louvain), Belgium Testing, an international leader ineducational assessment, Work Keys is used by employers worldwide toidentify the skills employees need to be successful and to determinewhere additional training will help build a higher performanceworkforce. These skill levels are translated into a numeric numericsee numerical.numeric clustersee ten-key pad. score thatcorrelates to instructional objectives developed by ACT. Tech prep andschool-to-careers use this data to strengthen their programs. Much more than an assessment program, Work Keys offers a completespectrum of job analysis, assessment, instructional support, reportingand training services. The program is built around a skill scale thataccurately measures both the skills of individuals and those requiredfor successful job performance. In the few years since its introduction, Work Keys has been adoptedby business and industry, government agencies and educationalinstitutions in 41 states and several countries. And more organizationsare joining the ranks of satisfied users each year. Many of thesecenters are directed and staffed by members of the New & RelatedServices Division. In Ohio, for example, there are 40 Work Keys Servicecenters--all of which are part of the AVEA membership. Work Keys benefits * Identify academic skills at a specific measurable level so theycan be integrated into the curriculum. * Assist instructors in identifying skill deficiencies andproviding appropriate instructional intervention A procedure used in a lawsuit by which the court allows a third person who was not originally a party to the suit to become a party, by joining with either the plaintiff or the defendant. . * Develop a better picture of the skills employees need bysystematically profiling job requirements in business and industry. * Increase productivity on the job by placing job applicants andemployees in jobs that match their skills. * Help businesses screen and select employees with needed skillswhile meeting Americans with Disabilities Americans with disabilities comprise one of the largest minority groups in the United States. According to the Disability Status: 2000 - Census 2000 Brief [1], approximately 20% of Americans have one or more diagnosed psycho-physical disability. and Equal EmploymentOpportunity Commission requirements. * Assist businesses in reducing the high hidden costs associatedwith poor hiring decisions, including those for lost production,turnover, rehiring and additional training. * Develop a common basis for communication between businesses andeducators to ensure a continuing resource of qualified workers. * Use the Work Keys system to meet ISO (1) See ISO speed.(2) (International Organization for Standardization, Geneva, Switzerland, www.iso.ch) An organization that sets international standards, founded in 1946. The U.S. member body is ANSI. 9000 standards and ensurequality business practices. * Assess students so that skill levels can be compared to businessand industry needs. For more information about the Work Keys system, contact Applegateat 5930 Middle Fiskville Road, Austin, TX 78752, (512) 223-7052; DanCarstensen at P.O Box 168, Iowa City Iowa City,city (1990 pop. 59,738), seat of Johnson co., E Iowa, on both sides of the Iowa River; founded 1839 as the capital of Iowa Territory, inc. 1853. Among its manufactures are foam rubber, animal feed, paper, and food products. The city is the seat of the Univ. , IA 52243-0168; or (800) WORKKEY. Each AVA Ava, in the BibleAva(ā`və), in the Bible, an unidentified city of Mesopotamia, perhaps the same as Ivah. Its inhabitants are called Avites. division contributes one report a year to review issues,trends and innovative vocational education programs.