In support of the First Ring Schools Collaborative vision of lifelong success for its students, here are resources for First Ring districts to use regarding career readiness. These resources include guidance and preparation for multiple post-graduation pathways.
According to the Future of the U.S. Workforce series which can be found at www.achieve.org/career-readiness:
- The U.S. workforce will require more education and skills in the near future
- Low skills jobs provide few opportunities for advancement or security
- The skills mismatch is real (more skills are needed for available jobs)
- There are many pathways to middle and high skills jobs, but education and training beyond high school is the common denominator.
What is needed to be Career Ready?
The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) define career readiness as the attainment and demonstration of requisite competencies that broadly prepare college graduates for a successful transition into the workplace. The competencies associated with career readiness are:
- Critical thinking/problem solving
- Oral/written communication
- Teamwork/collaboration
- Digital technology
- Leadership
- Professionalism/Worth ethic
- Career management
- Global/intercultural fluency
See this link for detailed information about these competencies:
http://www.naceweb.org/uploadedfiles/pages/knowledge/articles/career-readiness-fact-sheet.pdf
More NACE Career Readiness resources [sample materials and assessments]:
http://www.naceweb.org/career-readiness/competencies/career-readiness-resources/