CERTIFICATIONS
All of our programs lead towards certifications. Currently, ULEM offers the following: Internet and Computing Core Certification; Microsoft Office Specialist Certification; and ACT National Career Readiness Certification.
Microsoft Office Specialist Certification (MOS)
MOS certification demonstrates that the holder has the skills needed to proficiently use Microsoft Office. An entry level employee with MOS certification positions him- or herself to earn as much as $16,000 more in annual salary than uncertified peers. All participants have the opportunity to get certified in Microsoft Office 2013. The options are Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access, SharePoint, and OneNote. ULEM is an authorized testing center.
Act National Career Readiness Certification (NCRC)
NCRC, issued by ACT, is a portable, evidence-based credential that measures essential workplace skills and is a reliable predictor of workplace success. Knowledge and skills related to job tasks are the strongest predictors of work performance. When measures of cognitive skills and personality traits are combined, an individual’s success in a job or job training can be predicted with even greater accuracy.
The certificate is designed to complement other traditional credentials, such as a high school diploma, community college degree, or college degree. While these education credentials mark the fulfillment of an individual’s classroom learning experiences, the certificate confirms the person’s competency in a specific set of workplace skills.
This certification demonstrates to a prospective employer that their candidate is competent to perform work-related tasks. This certification is offered to all program participants, as well as, anyone interested in this credential.
Whether one is looking for a first job or is just ready for a change in career, the information that the vast majority of employers are looking for can be conveyed through the National Career Readiness Certificate. Employers want to know that a prospective employee can process written instructions, policies, and procedures (Reading for Information), use charts, graphs, and figures to solve workplace problems (Locating Information), and utilize math skills to work through challenging scenarios in the workplace (Applied Mathematics). In an employer’s eyes, these “foundational skills” provide the basis for developing an employee who will be an asset to the company. Companies usually have no objections to training their employees, but they want to make sure that they are investing their training resources wisely. In short, they want employees who have proven themselves to be trainable. Going through the process of getting career certified shows employers that one is serious about career ambitions and that s/he is motivated to succeed. It also helps one to evaluate his/her own skills and abilities so that s/he can find the job that’s a best fit.