With unemployment still above average for most Kansas communities, those companies that are hiring are at no loss for applicants. But when it comes to applications, more is not always better.
McPherson fiberglass insulation manufacturer Johns Manville has taken a different approach to finding qualified applicants for its open positions. In June 2009, the company began using the Kansas WorkReady certificate program to screen and test all of its applicants in an effort to streamline the interview and hiring process.
The Kansas Department of Commerce program tests applicants’ reading, mathematics and locating information skills to determine their ability level as it relates to the workforce. Applicants are certified as either gold, silver or bronze. Those that complete the test receive certificates showing their score level. Johns Manville will only hire candidates that score at the silver or gold level.
The three-hour assessment is designed by the ACT company, which creates college testing exams, and can be completed at about 40 different locations including technical colleges, high schools and adult education centers across the state.
Johns Manville plant manager Gregg Stockstill said the program allows his company to more easily identify quality applicants, which saves the company and its personnel both time and money.
“We have found the testing simplifies our interview screening process as it eliminates some of the guesswork when identifying candidates,” Stockstill said.
Department of Commerce public information officer Joseph Monaco said the WorkReady certification program has been hugely effective among Kansas employers. Approximately 125 companies and organizations in the state currently use or endorse the WorkReady certificates. Johns Manville is currently the only company in McPherson County utilizing the program.
Monaco points out that in addition to aiding the employer, the certification programs provides several benefits to the employee. The WorkReady certificates are nationally recognized and can be used during interviews with several different companies. Having the document as part of a portfolio also allows potential employers to get a better understanding of an applicants skill set.
For more information about the WorkReady program log onto the KanasWorks Web site at www.kansasworks.com.
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With unemployment still above average for most Kansas communities, those companies that are hiring are at no loss for applicants. But when it comes to applications, more is not always better.
McPherson fiberglass insulation manufacturer Johns Manville has taken a different approach to finding qualified applicants for its open positions. In June 2009, the company began using the Kansas WorkReady certificate program to screen and test all of its applicants in an effort to streamline the interview and hiring process.
The Kansas Department of Commerce program tests applicants’ reading, mathematics and locating information skills to determine their ability level as it relates to the workforce. Applicants are certified as either gold, silver or bronze. Those that complete the test receive certificates showing their score level. Johns Manville will only hire candidates that score at the silver or gold level.
The three-hour assessment is designed by the ACT company, which creates college testing exams, and can be completed at about 40 different locations including technical colleges, high schools and adult education centers across the state.
Johns Manville plant manager Gregg Stockstill said the program allows his company to more easily identify quality applicants, which saves the company and its personnel both time and money.
“We have found the testing simplifies our interview screening process as it eliminates some of the guesswork when identifying candidates,” Stockstill said.
Department of Commerce public information officer Joseph Monaco said the WorkReady certification program has been hugely effective among Kansas employers. Approximately 125 companies and organizations in the state currently use or endorse the WorkReady certificates. Johns Manville is currently the only company in McPherson County utilizing the program.
Monaco points out that in addition to aiding the employer, the certification programs provides several benefits to the employee. The WorkReady certificates are nationally recognized and can be used during interviews with several different companies. Having the document as part of a portfolio also allows potential employers to get a better understanding of an applicants skill set.
For more information about the WorkReady program log onto the KanasWorks Web site at www.kansasworks.com.
