A new student assessment component at Mid-Plains Community College (MPCC) is aimed at documenting students’ work-readiness.
In this year’s first semester, MPCC initiated a comprehensive effort to test students in the Applied Technologies programs at the college using assessments from National Occupational Competency Testing (NOCTI). These student assessments are categorized as “Job Ready” assessments, allowing students to demonstrate their knowledge, skills and talents within their chosen occupational program.
NOCTI’s score reports provide valuable data for program improvement and accountability to employers and agencies where program reporting is required. Their Job Ready assessments are developed using business and industry standards.
Students are able to demonstrate their knowledge of basic processes within their field of study, including the identification and use of terminology and tools. In addition, customer relations, safety, computer literacy, and program-specific mathematics questions are included in some of the career program assessments.
According to Kent Beel, Applied Technologies Division Chair at MPCC, “NOCTI assessments were administered to entering students this year. Their results will help us design the appropriate course of study based on current students’ beginning skills aligned to the needs of the industry. A post-test at the end of our programs will help us ensure that students leave our programs confident that they have been offered instruction in industry specific skills.”
Bill Eakins, Area Dean of Career Services, reiterates that assessments are just part of the career related services to students at MPCC.
“NOCTI assessments will help both students and instructors in the transportation and construction trades programs communicate with employers that MPCC programs are designed to produce employment-ready students,” he said.
For more information, contact Eakins at (308) 535-3607.