Measurement of Workforce Readiness Competencies: Design of Prototype Measures

This report applies a general, 14-step methodological approach to the measurement of workforce readiness competencies. Interpersonal and information competencies, identified by employers as being essential employee skills, are illustrated utilizing this method. Beginning with the selection of a work environment, job and task analysis, and selecting a competency, the method proceeds to the creation of indicators for subcompetencies, performance measures of the indicators, and statistical analysis. The authors apply this general method to a specific example from the 1991 Secretary’s Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills (SCANS) report.