Washington-Wilkes Comprehensive High School seniors have a special benefit they can add to their job resumes and college applications this year.

The seniors were given the opportunity to take the national Work Readiness Test and of the 89 seniors tested, 84 (94.38 percent) are now classified "work ready."

The Georgia Work Ready Assessment measures skills in three categories: locating information, applied mathematics, and reading for information. Based on the individual's performance on the test, four levels of work readiness can be achieved: bronze, silver, gold, or platinum. Scoring in any of the four levels of work readiness earn test takers certification from the state.

In addition to demonstrating the skills required for the majority of jobs available in the workforce, gold-level performance on the work ready assessment also demonstrates that the student is prepared for college level work without remediation. Test takers who achieve the platinum level demonstrate skills necessary for premium jobs in the workforce and preparedness for honors-level college work.

Fourteen students scored in the bronze level of work readiness, and 45 scored in the silver level. 21 of the students certified as work ready scored in the gold level and four students scored in the highest level, platinum, demonstrating skills necessary for premium jobs in the workforce and preparedness for honors level college work.

W-WCHS students scored well above the state goal for both the silver-and-higher and the gold-andhigher categories.

The Georgia Work Ready Certificate along with a high school diploma better prepares students for their future, whether they look for immediate employment or further education or both - within Georgia and across the nation.

A job applicant with a Work Ready certificate tells an employer that he is ready to go to work with the skills needed for the job. For the job seeker, a Work Ready certificate is an important tool to have in a competitive job market. For employers, hiring Work Ready certified applicants can reduce turnover and improve efficiency, two positive boosts to any bottom line.

Communities that encourage their graduating seniors and adult workers to become certified can be recognized as a Georgia Certified Work Ready Community. The communities that obtain this distinction can better enhance their possibilities for economic development by best using the skills of their high school graduates.

The Georgia Work Ready Certification program was made available for W-WCHS seniors through Athens Technical College at no charge. Certification confirms competence in a specific skill set and offers a universally valued credential. For more information, see Don Bridges, counselor, or Lou Bentley, CTAE Supervisor, at W-WCHS.