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Kristin's Blog
February 22
NEW Learning Community - LinkedIn Group
by  Kristin EkkensNo presence information  on 2/22/2012 12:12 PM

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We've created a LinkedIn Group - National CRC (Career Readiness Certificate) Advocates.

The purpose of this community is to bring together advocates from around the nation in business, education, and workforce and economic development to share best practices and knowledge regarding national career readiness credentialing.​ 


Join our group to add to our discussions and learn from other Advocates and Employer Champions. You can even post job openings if you are recommending a WorkKeys-powered career readiness certificate.

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February 22
Jobs for the Future: Celebrating What Works
by  Kristin EkkensNo presence information  on 2/22/2012 9:00 AM
Category: Best Practices

Help support what works! Jobs for the Future's (JFF) involvement in the What Works Project, sponsored by General Electric, is focused on highlighting what is working to get Americans back to work.  

JFF is the Project’s Non-Profit of the Week from Monday, February 20 to Monday, February 27.

 

Visit the Project website (www.celebratewhatworks.com) and share photos of people, places and things that represent how Americans are getting back to work. Each time someone submits a photo and caption or votes on a submission, GE donates $1 to the Non-Profit of the Week. A $1 donation is also made when someone Likes GE on Facebook.


Let's help support this great organization!

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February 14
West Michigan Employer Event Sponsored by Talent 2025
by  Kristin EkkensNo presence information  on 2/14/2012 2:14 PM
Talent 2025 of West Michigan is hosting a monthly event to help employers learn how to use the National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC) to hire the best people. 

Attendees will hear from Bill Guest, an expert on evidence-based selection processes (and National CRC Advocates board member), as well as employers currently using WorkKeys Assessment System® and the National Career Readiness Certificate Plus (NCRC Plus).

West Michigan Employers who are members of Talent 2025, Health Care Employer Council, and/or The Manufacturing Council are welcome to attend. Don’t wait to register​ - seating is limited! ​

Register for Using the National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC) and WorkKeys® in Grand Rapids, MI on Eventbrite ​
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February 10
The Rapides Foundation 2012 Video Challenge
by  Kristin EkkensNo presence information  on 2/10/2012 10:22 AM

The_Rapides_Foundation_Video_Challenge

The Rapides Foundation in Central Louisiana is providing a creative avenue for high school students to talk about the importance of getting training and skills to prepare for a career after high school.  Click here​ for deadline submissions and more information. The video challenge focuses on the Cenla (Central Louisiana) Work Ready Network program. 


On February 16th, The Rapides Foundation is also sponsoring Cenla Work Ready Network 2012 Workforce Summit. It is intended to help employers and other community leaders understand the benefits of using the National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC) to build a work-ready region in Central Louisiana. Summit keynote speakers and session leaders include NCRC Employer Champions from Illinois and Michigan. National CRC Advocates will be there as well. More information here. 

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January 13
Advocates 2012
by  Kristin EkkensNo presence information  on 1/13/2012 1:05 PM
Category: Advocate Events

​Hello! My name is Kristin Ekkens. I'm the new Executive Director of National CRC Advocates. It's an honor and privilege to partner with people around the nation who are as passionate as I am about helping people gain valuable workplace skills. As a past program director for a literacy organization, I witnessed first hand how earning a foundational skills credential changes lives. 

For individuals, earning a foundational skills credential is empowering. It increases confidence, strengthens the work portfolio, and ultimately, leads to employment, promotions, and higher wages. 

For employers, a common foundational skills credential means a more cost-effective and accurate selection process, improved effectiveness of training dollars, and reduced turnover. 

We believe that increased effectiveness at closing the skills gap is going to come from respectful collaboration and use of common systems. There are many talented people and organizations doing innovative work around closing the skills gap in America. One of our goals is to organize and disseminate best practices from around the nation. 

Stay tuned as we announce new ways to connect and learn from each other. 

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 About this blog

 


KristinBlogImage 

Kristin Ekkens, Executive Director

National CRC Advocates

About the Blogger: 
Kristin Ekkens is the Executive Director of National CRC Advocates, a national not-for-profit that is dedicated to closing the workforce skills gap in America using the National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC Plus) and related competency-based credentials. Previously, Ekkens was a program director and national consultant in workforce education, providing essential workplace skills training to managers, incumbent workers, and job seekers. The program she directed received multiple awards for quality and innovation and has received international exposure including a 2008 broadcast of ABC World News Tonight with Charles Gibson and recognition in 2011 as a best practice by Singapore Workforce Development Agency. 

Kristin is an author and presenter in the field of basic skills training, workforce education,  language learning, and cultural diversity.  She holds a master's degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) from Michigan State University and a bachelor's degree with a dual major in Spanish and Linguistics from Calvin College in Michigan.