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Linking Learning to Life
Skill Standards Q and A Page |
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Download Skills Standard PDF |
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*What are skill standards? |
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 “Skill standards are
voluntary performance specifications, developed
through employers, educators, unions and other
groups, that identify the skills, knowledge, and
abilities an individual needs to succeed in a
given industry. They use a common language to
describe knowledge, skills, and abilities, so that
students and workers will be able to demonstrate
their skills even when they change employers,
states, or even industries. Clear definitions will
also identify the skills needed by employers, and
enable workers to see how their skills can be
transferred to other industries or help them
develop an expertise. The standards show how the
academic skills learned in the classroom connect
with those required in the workplace - the basic
skills of reading, writing, listening, speaking,
and math, as well as more advanced skills
including problem solving, decision making,
teamwork, and negotiation.”
“An investment in the skills of our people will
give Minnesota an edge that allows us to compete
in quality, innovation and productivity. They will
also help us compete in price.” |
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*Who uses skill standards? |
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Employers/Business and
Industry Representatives Can Use Skill Standard
Certificates: |
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To train probationary
employees;
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As an indicator of
performance and skill level in the application
and interview processes;
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To analyze a potential
employee’s success within their organization;
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To develop individualized
training plans for their existing employees;
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To assist existing
employees in obtaining certification and recognition
within their field;
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For employees to develop
their portfolio’s for the future.
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Individuals Can Use Skill Standard
Certificates: |
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To self-reflect on their
own skill development;
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To see what skills are
necessary to be successful in an
industry/career;
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To make education and training decisions;
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As part of their portfolio development.
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High School Teachers Use
Skill Standard Certificates: |
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To insure that curriculum
is up-to-date;
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To request curriculum
changes to their administration and school
boards;
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To insure the relevance
and usefulness of student skills in career and
technical areas;
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To assess “academic”
learning and the transfer of that learning to
real-world applications;
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To connect to businesses
and industries in the area;
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To create work based
learning opportunities for their students;
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For students to develop their portfolio’s for
the future.
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College Instructors and Program Directors Can Use
Skill Standard Certificates |
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To insure that curriculum
is up-to-date;
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As a springboard for
curriculum changes within college programs;
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To report changes to
administration;
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To connect to businesses
and industries in the area;
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To create work-based
learning opportunities for their students;
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As a review mechanism as
part of their college admissions and application
processes;
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For continued and
non-duplicative learning for their students;
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For students to develop their portfolio’s for
the future.
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Workforce Centers Can Use Skill Standard
Certificates:
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To identify individual’s
skill accomplishments and skill gaps;
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To create individualized
training plans for at-risk community members;
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To insure that training
programs are up-to-date with the skills
necessary for local industries;
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To provide a “skill
certification” for their clients;
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To communicate and connect
with businesses and industries in the area;
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Clients use this as part of their portfolio
development.
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*What is happening locally? |
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The Grand Rapids Chamber of
Commerce service area does not just want to
“survive”, they want to “thrive” in terms of
economic stability and growth through targeted
workforce development initiatives like Skill
Standards. This notion prompted the development
of skill standard certificates for the area that
are locally validated.
Each
Skill Standards was developed using a
team approach of high school educators, college
instructors, and business and industry
representatives related to the certificate being
developed. These groups were charged with the
task of reviewing national skill standards
obtained from the National Skill Standards Board
and industry associations. During this review,
the group reviewed and selected specific skills
that would provide for “fundamental” skill
development for an individual to be “successful”
within the respective industry in this region.
This local validation process allowed for clear
communication of skills necessary for successful
and continued employment in the area. This
process originally stemmed from funding through
Minnesota Tech Prep and School To Work
Initiatives. |
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*Who gives out the certificates locally? |
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Once received at the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of
Commerce via mail, the
Skills Standards sheet along with the Student
Information sheet goes to a
review committee. The review committee is made up
of Chamber members and volunteers. Once this
committee reviews and recommends approval, a
certificate of Skills Attainment is stamped with a gold-embossed stamp
that indicates its authenticity. The Certificate
of Skills Attainment is sent either to the teacher or employer
who verified the Skills Standards of the
individual for proper awarding and recognition of
the individual. In some cases, a member or
volunteer of the Chamber of Commerce may present
it directly to the individual. |
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*How do I request a Certified Skills Attainment
Certificate? |
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Select the desired Skill
Standard, fill out the form with requested
information, when the form is submitted a
PDF will be available to download.
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Download the
Skills Standards sheet in PDF format.
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Complete the Skills
Standards by placing an “x” in the
corresponding level of attainment
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Complete the
Student Information page.
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Send the
completed certificate and information sheet to: The Grand Rapids
Chamber of Commerce, c/o
Skills Standard,
One NW Third Street, Grand
Rapids, Minnesota 55744.
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Allow 8 weeks for review
and official certificate response process
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An email will be sent to
you with the review committee’s recommendation
or acceptance.
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The
“Certificate of Skills Attainment” will be sent
to the person indicated on the Student
information addendum for proper recognition and
award.
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A copy of the “Certificate
of Skills Attainment” will be kept in archive at
the Grand Rapids Chamber. The individual receiving the
certificate may request a copy for
their portfolio at that time.
Please note that additional hard copies will not have official
signatures on them. They will have an
additional sheet indicating the name of the
person/people who signed the original hard copy.
Note: Only 1 request per
individual per year will be accommodated. If
additional requests are required, a $5.00 fee for
each request is required prior to release. This
fee should be paid to the Grand Rapids Chamber of
Commerce. |
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*How Can Our Community Begin Developing and Using
Skill Standards Certificates? |
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Training for developing skill standards that are
locally validated can be obtained by contacting
Cleveland Management and Consulting Group. For
more information, contact Cleveland Management and
Consulting Group at
cmcg@northlc.com
(copy & paste email) |
