Feasibility Study: Manufacturing CompetenciesSkills Assessment Instrument

1
Feasibility StudyManufacturing
Competencies/Skills Assessment Instrument

• Project Report
• November 21, 2002

2
Project Goal

• To determine whether or not a pilot project
  could create an on-line interactive manufacturing
  competencies/skills assessment instrument for
  individual clients of Colorado Workforce Centers.
  The proposed instrument would
• (1) assess a job seekers ability to perform the
  technical skills needed to successfully carry out
  a job within the manufacturing sector
• (2) to identify skill needs so that job seekers
  can participate in appropriate training programs
  to prepare for meaningful employment in the State
  of Colorado.

3
Project Methodology

• Became familiar with the operations at the
  Tri-County Workforce Center
• Interviewed local manufacturing companies
• Reviewed manufacturing skill sets
• Reviewed and evaluated existing assessment
  instruments
• Interviewed national assessment development
  experts

4
Finding 1

• A job request form which specifically identifies
  skills and work environment for the job posting
  would help the Workforce Center identify
  candidates to fill those jobs

5
Finding 2

• Use of standard screening tools at workforce
  centers would encourage employers to use the
  centers for their employment needs

6
Finding 3

• Job applicants need to be aware of the
  environmental conditions associated with
  manufacturing jobs

7
Finding 4

• A customized list of manufacturing skills and
  competencies developed and validated with
  manufacturing companies in the State of Colorado
  can be developed for a screening tool.

8
Finding 5

• A list of environmental factors associated with
  manufacturing jobs developed and validated with
  manufacturing companies in Colorado is needed for
  use in a screening tool.

9
Finding 6

• None of the assessment instruments available
  measure a candidates ability to perform skills
  required for manufacturing jobs

10
Finding 7

• Although an assessment tool is cost-prohibitive
  for a pilot study, a screening tool would improve
  the selectivity for job applicants on a
  cost-effective basis

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Conclusion

• There is a need for a system that would better
  match job-applicants with job openings
• Such a system would be best implemented through
  the referral process at the workforce centers
• Such a system would be best if used in
  conjunction with existing aptitude/ability
  assessments such as WorkKeys

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Proposed Pilot Project

• Develop a competency/skill based screening tool
  for use at the Tri-County Workforce Center which
  would
• Allow companies to efficiently identify skill
  needs for a job opening
• Allow workforce centers to screen candidates
  based on these skills to make accurate referrals
  and training needs assessments

13
Pilot Project Outline

• Develop a competency/environmental condition
  job-request form
• Develop a screening tool
• Implement WorkKeys
• Determine national best practices

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Twelve Month Project Timeline

• First Quarter
• Validate competencies/skills
• Format job-request checklist
• Begin administering WorkKeys
• Initiate national study of manufacturing skill
  assessment practices

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Twelve Month Project Timeline

• Second Quarter
• Develop screening methodologies to determine a
  job-seekers
• Experience performing identified skills
• Comfort working under identified environmental
  conditions

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Twelve Month Project Timeline

• Third Quarter
• Test the job-request form and screening tool at
  the Tri-County Workforce Center

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Twelve Month Project Timeline

• Fourth Quarter
• Evaluate pilot project through interviews and
  surveys of reprehensive job seekers,
  manufacturers, and workforce center staff
• Develop report for best practices in
  manufacturing assessments and referral processes