Ready to Work is a state certified career skills training program designed to help participants prepare for success on the job. Ready to Work’s workplace environment provides trainees the entry level skills required for employment with most businesses and industries in Alabama. The training curriculum is set to standards cited by business and industry employers throughout the state and the skills cited in the U.S. Department of Labor Secretary’s Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills (SCANS) Reports. The Ready-to-Work (RTW) Program is operated by the Alabama Department of Postsecondary Education in cooperation with Alabama Industrial Development Training (AIDT). Drake State is a participating college providing training as outlined by the program's guidelines.
The Office of Workforce Development at Drake State Technical College is responsible for coordinating the training sessions. Each session lasts eight weeks and classes are held at the Downtown Instructional Site located at 228 Holmes Ave., Huntsville, AL 35801.
Program participants earn two certificates upon successful completion of the program: the Career Readiness Certificate (WorkKeys) and the Alabama Certified Worker Certificate. These certificates document specific skills and aptitudes and give job seekers an advantage over the competition.
The Career Readiness Credential is earned by scoring a minimum level 3 on the following ACT WorkKeys assessments that test the skills required for more than 85 percent of all jobs (Each test takes about 1 hour):
Applied Mathematics - Measures workplace mathematical reasoning and problem solving skills from basic addition, subtraction, multiplication and division to multiple math functions like calculating percentage discounts and markups.
Reading for Information - Measures reading comprehension and reasoning skills found in written text on the job including memos, letters, directions, signs, notices, bulletins, policies and regulations.
Locating Information - Measures comprehension and application of workplace graphics such as charts, graphs, tables, forms, flowcharts, diagrams, floor plans, maps and instrument gauges.
The Alabama Certified Worker Credential is issued by Alabama Industrial Development Training (AIDT) and certifies that a job seeker has the right attitude and the initiative for the job. Requirements for successful certification include:
- A 95 percent attendance and punctuality rate, which must be certified by the program.
- Satisfactory achievement of work ethic, organizational skills, attitude and motivation based on observation and/or testing.
- Satisfactory achievement of problem solving skills, workplace behaviors, computer skills, job acquisition skills and manufacturing skills.
- Successful completion of the introductory computer skills training program which includes: basic operation and trouble shooting, internet and email business software applications and file management.
- A minimum level 3 score on the WorkKeys Assessments
- A score of at least 70 percent on the written Alabama Certified Worker Examination.
Transportation may be available. Please contact Karol Waddell, at 256.551.9503 to register for class or for more information. Click here for more information about the Alabama Ready to Work Program.