Episode 37 - WorkKeys for College Credit through Prior Learning Assessment - Show Notes and Transcript

Oct 9, 2026

Episode 37 explains how Career Pathways can convert the WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC) into college credit via Prior Learning Assessment (PLA). It covers updated ACE recommendations for NCRC credit hours, links WorkKeys levels to post-secondary outcomes, and shows how administrators and faculty can use the WorkKeys Estimator to align competencies with WorkKeys benchmarks. The transcript discusses PLA methods, research findings on degree completion and cost, and equity impacts for marginalized groups.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages9

Reading Time23 min

AccessFree to download

Voices of Excellence on Episode 37

Lynette Livingston

Dr. Cindy Hill

Jenna Cohen

Links and Resources

Transcript of Episode 37

Jingle and Opening Remarks

What Is PLA and Why It Matters

37 Boosting Career Pathways with College Credit through WorkKeys Career Pathways are a special blend of training and job progression. When the training includes post-secondary learning, the WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certificate from ACT can translate to college credit that jumpstarts the learning journey. Awarding credit through Prior Learning Assessment, or PLA, for short, boosts confidence and increases the pace to program completion. Colleges increase enrollment while helping build the regional talent pipeline. The American Council of Education recently upgraded their recommendations on credit hours awarded for the NCRC. Join us on Episode 37 as we explore the benefits of PLA; make connections between WorkKeys levels and post-secondary performance; and examine how administrators and faculty can use WorkKeys Estimator to align their competencies to specific WorkKeys benchmarks. Voices of Excellence on Episode 37 Lynette Livingston, Executive Dean Chippewa Valley Technical College LinkedIn Twitter Dr. Cindy Hill, Principal Industrial-Organizational Psychologist ACT WorkKeys Profiling and Research LinkedIn Jenna Cohen, Senior Director ACT Workforce Product LinkedIn Links and Resources • WorkKeys for College Credit – ACT Workforce Summit Presentation • The PLA Boost Report from CAEL and WICHE • ACT WorkKeys Estimator • ACT WorkKeys Profiling • ACT Work Ready Communities • ACT Workforce Solutions Transcript of Episode 37 Jingle Open with Music: Let’s Get Ready for Work Lynette Drop Quote: The availability, or absence of public transit can really impact a local area or local jurisdictions’workforce attainment goals, or higher education attainment goals, or economic development goals. Our students are one flat tire away from dropping out. Transit is the through line that can connect all of these critical aspects of community development and community health. Jasen teaser: We know the ACT WorkKeys NCRC as a launchpad for career pathways. Did you know working learners can also earn college credit for the NCRC? Learn more on why this matters with Episode 37 of Ready for Work. Jingle Open Jasen: Career Pathways are a special blend of training and job progression. When the training includes post-secondary learning, the WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certificate from ACT can translate to college credit that jumpstarts the learning journey. Awarding credit through Prior Learning Assessment, or PLA, for short, boosts confidence and increases the pace to program completion. Colleges increase enrollment while helping build the regional talent pipeline. The American Council of Education recently upgraded their recommendations on credit hours awarded for the NCRC. Join us on Episode 37 as we explore the benefits of PLA; make connections between WorkKeys levels and post-secondary performance; and examine how administrators and faculty can use WorkKeys Estimator to align their competencies to specific WorkKeys benchmarks. Voices of excellence for episode 37 include Jenna Cohen, the Senior Director of Workforce Product here at ACT, along with Dr. Cindy Hill, an industrial-organizational psychologist for ACT’s WorkKeys Profile team. Lynette Livingston is an executive dean at Chippewa Valley Technical College in Wisconsin and gives us insights from the field on success with credit for prior learning in partnership with high schools across the region. In a recent meeting of the Work Ready Communities alumni program at ACT, Jenna Cohen gave us a quick intro to Prior Learning Assessment to award college credit. Jenna: Higher learning assessment is the process for evaluating knowledge and skills. College credits for learning from on-the-job training. Independent study. Military and volunteer service. Training courses and our certifications. And work experience. When we think about the National Career Readiness Certificate it really falls into that-training courses or certification

FAQs

How does WorkKeys help learners earn college credit?

WorkKeys NCRC can be translated into college credit through Prior Learning Assessment (PLA), which supports college readiness and program completion speed.

What kinds of prior learning can be used in PLA?

PLA can include industry-recognized certificates, evaluated non-college training standardized tests, student portfolios, training courses/certifications, and work experience leading to college credit.

What outcomes does research associate with PLA?

Research summarized in the episode indicates higher degree completion, reduced time to degree, reduced cost, increased credit earning, and improved credential completion rates for adult learners.

Oct 9, 2026

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