The National Work Readiness Council (NWRC) has announced the launch of the National Work Readiness Credential (WRC).

Development of the WRC over the past three years has been an extraordinary, collaborative enterprise involving state and national business and policy leaders, frontline workers and their supervisors, education and workforce experts, and a team of committed assessment and certification experts, all brought together by our founding partners: the states of Florida, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Washington, the District of Columbia, and JA Worldwide.

In June the last critical step was taken: a contract for delivery of the WRC assessments was awarded to CASTLE Worldwide, one of the nation's leading certification and licensure testing companies. CASTLE has been working closely with us since then to load the four work readiness assessments into their secure delivery system and to develop all the necessary supporting systems we need to be ready for online delivery of the WRC.

In September NWRC will begin a targeted launch of the WRC in approximately 50 sites around the country. During this 'soft' launch, which will extend through December 2006, it is estimated that up to 10,000 individuals will take the assessment. NWRC is now accepting applications from businesses and organizations that want to participate in the soft launch.

The full launch of the WRC will begin in January 2007. NWRC will begin to accept site applications for the full launch In December 2006. Businesses and organizations accepted as soft launch sites will not need to reapply.

Please review the attached Guide to Becoming an Assessment Site for the National Work Readiness Credential to learn more about the launch. An online application is available at www.castleworldwide.com/nwrc/asp/nwrc_site_application.asp NWRC will be accepting applications throughout the month of August.

For more information about the credential, visit the NWRC's website at www.workreadiness.com.