The Keys To Advancement

Test helps workers and company

Joseph Malan
The News-Dispatch

MICHIGAN CITY - Bob Collins worked on the assembly line at Dekker Vacuum Technologies, Inc. a little more than a year ago, 'bouncing around' and doing several different jobs on the floor.

These days, Collins is working in a different department, a move he credits to an employee skills test he says helped him advance in the company.

About two years ago, Collins and other Dekker Vacuum employees took the WorkKeys test, an employee skills test the company now mandates for new workers.

No longer on the assembly line, Collins has a new position in application sales after 'acing' the exam.

"I've worked for the company going on eight years, and they brought in WorkKeys; they had weak areas they needed proficiency in," Collins explained. "I took the test, and I basically aced it. There really was nothing more I needed to do."

Collins further explained his strong scores on the exam gave him the freedom to pursue the position in sales, a job that required the skills Collins was deemed highly proficient in.

Although the test was not solely responsible for Collins' placement, Chief Financial Officer Beth Filer says it played a major role in his new job at the company.

"If someone scored very high at certain skills needed for a position, we identified them as a candidate who had potential to move on and upgrade their position," Filer said.

The WorkKeys test is offered through WorkOne, an Indiana employment organization, and is a product of ACT, Inc. According to Filer, the test is a compilation of multiple choice questions that examines the test taker's knowledge in a variety of areas. After the test is taken, the score is compiled and compared to an entry level score and a proficient level score that are minimum requirements for certain skills at a specific position sought.

At the very least, Filer said all potential employees must reach the entry level score required for each skill in the position they desire.

Although the test is not required by law from the State of Indiana, Filer requires every Dekker Vacuum applicant to take it, and recommends current employees to keep taking it.

"It's made a difference at some people being at the high end of the pay scale without having reached the proficient level," Filer said. "In promoting, it's used mostly to identify potential candidates for promotion or advancement."

Larry Alexander is another employee who was promoted after taking the skills test, and now works in research and development. He used to work in the testing department.

"The job for [research and development] came open, and they asked if I wanted to try for it," Alexander said. "I guess they liked the way the scores were."

Alexander, who was with the company when it first opened in 1998, also credited WorkKeys for helping him with his career advancement.

"I've got an office upstairs now; it's definitely better than what I was doing," he said.

Although taking the WorkKeys test is a company requirement, both Collins and Alexander encourage anyone who can get their hands on the test to take it.

"It's gonna place you," Collins advised. "If you take it seriously and work to the best of your ability, it will help you succeed."

"Definitely take it," Alexander agreed. "You can go a lot farther than where you are."

Courtesy of the News-Dispatch