2008 Woodie Awards
Study reveals skill levels of area workers
Natalie Niemeyer
Issue date: 1/31/08 Section: News
Skills Advantage, a cooperative effort between Kirkwood Community College and 91 local businesses, finally knows the results of their study.
"The goal of the study was to demonstrate the skill level of incumbent workers in the region in three essential skill areas: Locating Information, Reading for Information and Applied Mathematics," said Dee Baird, vice president of Kirkwood Continuing Education and Training Services.
"The benchmark scores determined by the study, in the three skill areas will be used for the purpose of communicating the region's incumbent worker readiness to existing employers and business prospects. Additionally, the results will also provide critical information to Kirkwood and K-12 partners regarding the desired scores needed in the region for future graduates," she added.
The point of the Skills Advantage Program is to find and place skilled employees in the Cedar Rapids technology corridor in jobs they are qualified for. The program contains a series of three tests. Those who take the tests receive certificates that report their skill level based on their cumulative test scores. These career readiness certificates may help participants get jobs and some companies require those applying for jobs to take the tests.
"In order for the economic development organizations in Kirkwood Community College's service area to compete successfully for new business in a highly competitive environment, they must provide data to clients about the region's workforce," said Baird. "Three critical areas most employers are concerned about include: The affordability, the availability and the capability of the region's workforce."
The Skills Advantage Research Project presented its first in the nation report at Kirkwood's new center for Continuing Education on Jan. 10 to a group of local business people and Kirkwood faculty.
The results are based on all three of the tests. The study was done from July through November of 2007 and cost Kirkwood $6,484.97. A total of 1,200 people took the test and 90 companies participated. For the testing sample, 400 employees from 48 companies were involved in the study.
The results revealed that in the 20-30 year range, 55 percent of participants have at least their bachelor degree. This information was directly correlated with skill levels in the areas measured in the study.
Scores were assessed in relation to age, education level, educational levels by age group, incumbent workers by occupational category and summary of incumbent worker by employer industry sector. So far over 1,000 certificates have been awarded.
"The goal of the study was to demonstrate the skill level of incumbent workers in the region in three essential skill areas: Locating Information, Reading for Information and Applied Mathematics," said Dee Baird, vice president of Kirkwood Continuing Education and Training Services.
"The benchmark scores determined by the study, in the three skill areas will be used for the purpose of communicating the region's incumbent worker readiness to existing employers and business prospects. Additionally, the results will also provide critical information to Kirkwood and K-12 partners regarding the desired scores needed in the region for future graduates," she added.
The point of the Skills Advantage Program is to find and place skilled employees in the Cedar Rapids technology corridor in jobs they are qualified for. The program contains a series of three tests. Those who take the tests receive certificates that report their skill level based on their cumulative test scores. These career readiness certificates may help participants get jobs and some companies require those applying for jobs to take the tests.
"In order for the economic development organizations in Kirkwood Community College's service area to compete successfully for new business in a highly competitive environment, they must provide data to clients about the region's workforce," said Baird. "Three critical areas most employers are concerned about include: The affordability, the availability and the capability of the region's workforce."
The Skills Advantage Research Project presented its first in the nation report at Kirkwood's new center for Continuing Education on Jan. 10 to a group of local business people and Kirkwood faculty.
The results are based on all three of the tests. The study was done from July through November of 2007 and cost Kirkwood $6,484.97. A total of 1,200 people took the test and 90 companies participated. For the testing sample, 400 employees from 48 companies were involved in the study.
The results revealed that in the 20-30 year range, 55 percent of participants have at least their bachelor degree. This information was directly correlated with skill levels in the areas measured in the study.
Scores were assessed in relation to age, education level, educational levels by age group, incumbent workers by occupational category and summary of incumbent worker by employer industry sector. So far over 1,000 certificates have been awarded.
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