LEDGER COLUMNIST

Scott POWELL LEDGER STAFF WRITER My head hurts.

I just finished taking an applied mathematics test filled with probing questions that stretched my math abilities to their limit. I never thought I would need to use the metric system, geometry, or work with fractions again.

I love math, especially when it comes to sports statistics. Just don't ask me to solve an algebra equation or do any calculus.

I have never encountered a need to solve an algebra equation while writing a story. I have wasted hours of time figuring percentages to determine trends in test score growth for releases of SAT, Advanced Placement, exit exams, and AYP results.

The only reason I was taking a math test Wednesday was so I could have data for a top secret research project to be unveiled in the next sentence.

I have been preparing to earn a Work Keys national career readiness certificate.

For the past month, I have been visiting the Cherokee Community Learning Center whenever I could spare 45 minutes to an hour of time. Most of my classes were taken in the evening to avoid conflicting with the regular work schedule.

In 1992, the American College Test (ACT) developed Work Keys as a series of tests to provide a way to measure specific job skills.

People can earn a national career readiness certificate by completing assessments in the areas of applied mathematics, reading for information and locating information. This is a portable credential that can be used to show companies in 33 states more information about your job skills.

My personal interest in Work Keys stems from the fact it remains relatively unknown in the community.

I knew nothing about it a month ago. I took Work Keys tests in hope I will eventually be able to tell you more about it.

The Cherokee County adult education program has been offering the Work Keys program since 1995. A total of 259 certificates were awarded to county residents last school year.

Nestle is one of the main companies in Cherokee County that uses Work Keys. The food company uses ACT career assessments to look at new hires' skills in observation and teamwork.

The South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation Department and Department of Social Services are other agencies that use Work Keys.

Cherokee County has an unemployment rate approaching 10 percent.

This brings to mind the following questions.

Are there not enough jobs in Cherokee County? Is the uncertain financial outlook leading companies to lay off workers due to lack of sales?

Are there future jobs in high tech industries that require some skills current workers do not possess?

I think Work Keys represents one solution to the issue of providing trained workers for our local economy.

Witness the experience of PGT Industries in North Carolina.

PGT Industries pioneered the development of impactresistant windows and doors in the U.S. after Hurricane Andrew hit south Florida in 1992.

A case study provided by ACT notes PGT Industries experienced a 38 percent turnover among their hourly workers in 2006. It seems new workers struggled with tasks, such as being able to accurately measure things, while going through the company's training process.

Beginning in June 2006, PGT Industries partnered with the North Carolina Community College system to bring the Work Keys skill assessments to the company's Salisbury plant in North Carolina. This has helped the company develop job profiles to find qualified workers, reducing performance related turnover by 30 percent in the first 10 months.

I will find out how I fared in applied mathematics some time next week.

There is no such thing as failing on Work Keys.

You can pay extra money to re-take the test so you can improve your score.

I fell one point short of the gold level in locating information so I'm definitely going to re-take that test.

It's all about getting better. So why not use Work Keys to your advantage?

Scott Powell (spowell@gaffneyledger.com) covers education issues for The Gaffney Ledger.