About Oregon's NCRC

A valuable certification for Oregon's workforce

The Oregon National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC) is a portable certificate serving as a valuable link between employers and skilled workers.

To earn the certificate, individuals are assessed on three foundational workplace skills which have been found to be highly important to the majority of jobs in the
workplace. The NCRC provides an accurate measurement of what an individual can DO, rather than what they KNOW.

Job applicants benefit from documenting their career readiness skills, and employers realize benefits from reliable methods of hiring and training a skilled workforce.
Earning a certificate helps job applicants stand out to employers who prefer the NCRC in their hiring practices, both in Oregon and across the country.

An assessment of foundational skills

Individuals take proctored assessments in their community, typically at WorkSource Oregon centers or community colleges. Those who earn the NCRC receive a portable certificate to verify their skills.

Continuous learning -- training to develop skills

Job applicants can complete a brief pre-assessment to learn whether they are ready to take the NCRC or if they need to first brush up on their skills. Online courseware is available for additional skills development.

Which work-related skills are assessed?

Applied Mathematics: Measures the skill people use when they apply mathematical reasoning, critical thinking and problem-solving techniques to work-related problems.

Reading for Information: Measures the skill people use when they read and use written text in order to perform job tasks. The written texts include memos, letters, directions, signs, notices, bulletins, policies and regulations.

Locating Information: Measures the skill people use when they work with workplace graphics, including comparing, summarizing and analyzing information found in charts, graphs, tables, forms, flowcharts, diagrams, floor plans, maps and instrument gauges.

How is the certificate awarded?

An individual's performance on the assessments determines the level at which the certificate is awarded. Higher levels signify readiness for a wider range of jobs.

For Job applicants:

Training. Individuals are encouraged to gauge their basic skills and develop them further if necessary, using our online courseware or other available resources.
Assessment. Proctored tests measure three key foundational skills found to be essential in the workplace.
Certification. The certificate is awarded at four skill levels, based on the results of the assessment: Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum.

For Employers:

Integration. The NCRC is incorporated into current hiring practices. The NCRC becomes one factor used in the screening and hiring process. This valid certification of workplace skills provides important evidence to support the level of qualification the job applicant attests to on their application.
Commitment. Organizations are invited to sign a Letter of Commitment to signal a preference for the NCRC in the company's recruitment and hiring process.
Training and Promotion. The NCRC can be further integrated into training programs and internal promotion pathways to extend the value of the program to incumbent employees.

Research by ACT, an international leader in educational assessment and workforce development services for more than 50 years, indicates these three foundational skills are critical to on-the-job success in most occupations. They are part of a broader WorkKeys® job skills assessment system measuring valuable skills for any occupation - from entry-level to professional.

Employers: By incorporating the NCRC into their hiring processes, employers can better assess whether applicants have the essential skills needed on the job.

>Learn more about bringing the NCRC to your business

Job applicants: Identify, verify and improve your workplace skills, and set yourself apart from competition. Be confident that employers will have a clear picture of what you can do.

>Learn more about earning your NCRC certificate

About Oregon's NCRC

The building blocks of Oregon's NCRC

Why are these skills assessed?

What can the certificate be used for?