How the Profile was Developed

The EFF Work Readiness Profile was developed by the Equipped for the Future Assessment Consortium with the help of hundreds of front-line supervisors from businesses across the country.

Step 1 - Developing the Broad Picture
The EFF Work Readiness Profile used The EFF Worker Role Map, one of three role maps in the EFF Content Framework, as its foundation.

• EFF Role Maps describe what adults do when they are effective in carrying out three primary roles -- citizen/community member, worker, and parent/family member.



• EFF Role Maps were developed through a national consensus-building process in 1997-98. For more information see Equipped for the Future: A Customer-Driven Vision for Adult Literacy and Lifelong Learning and Equipped for the Future Research Report: Building the Framework, 1993-1997

The goal of this first step was to develop a broad picture of the tasks, skills, and behaviors associated with readiness for entry-level work in a wide variety of industries.

• Using the EFF Worker Role Map and Content Standards as a framework, the consortium carefully analyzed existing frameworks for defining knowledge and skills, including SCANS, O*NET, and the NSSB Academic and Employability Skills, as well as industry-specific benchmarks, skill standards, and other materials. Table 1 provides a list of skill standards and other documents reviewed.



• Through this process, we identified over 144 entry-level tasks and 16 applied skills and behaviors associated with work readiness in the various industries.

Step 2 - Defining the Profile
Once we developed the broader picture, we surveyed and interviewed over 400 supervisors of entry-level workers representing a wide cross section of industry sectors and types of entry-level work environments. They helped us identify which of the tasks, skills, and behaviors were most important for entry-level workers across all industries and businesses.

• We conducted surveys with 265 supervisors of entry-level workers in four states-- Florida, New Jersey, New York, and Washington, asking respondents to rate the importance of each of the 144 tasks and 16 applied scales to readiness to entry-level work.



• Survey results were supplemented by qualitative data gathered in face-to-face reviews of tasks and skills with 192 frontline workers, supervisors, and other stakeholders in the workforce system.



• After a rigorous review process of survey and interview results, we were able to refine the profile of tasks and skills needed by entry-level workers.

Step 3 - Ensuring the Validity of the EFF Work Readiness Profile

• NIFL has involved national trade associations and other subject matter experts in validating the profile.



• In addition, we have asked business leaders and employers to provide feedback on the profile.

We believe that this process has allowed us to define a cross-industry foundation of knowledge and skills new workers need--a new national standard for what it means to be work ready. Let us know if you agree.