CiTi BOCES Connects Education, Industry and Opportunity Through ACT WorkKeys

Oswego County program helps bridge gap between education and workforce readiness

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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The Center for Instruction, Technology & Innovation (CiTi) Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) in Oswego County, New York is helping students prepare for the workforce through the successful implementation of ACT® WorkKeys® and the National Career Readiness Certificate® (NCRC®). Every CiTi student who participated in the ACT WorkKeys assessments earned an NCRC, which is recognized by employers and can be used to fulfill graduation requirements.

Why it matters

With fewer than 60 percent of Oswego County graduates pursuing college and many returning home within a year, CiTi has prioritized career readiness as a critical pathway to success. The WorkKeys NCRC gives students a credential that carries real weight with local and regional employers, opening doors that were previously out of reach.

The details

CiTi supports students who often face significant barriers, including transportation challenges, poverty, trauma exposure and limited postsecondary opportunities. To date, students have earned 14 Platinum, 19 Gold, 45 Silver and 46 Bronze NCRCs, with 56 percent of seniors earning a credential recognized nationwide by employers. The WorkKeys NCRC may be applied toward the Career Development and Occupational Studies (CDOS) Pathway, allowing students to replace one required Regents exam for graduation.

  • CiTi BOCES has been implementing the ACT WorkKeys program and NCRC credential.

The players

CiTi BOCES

The Center for Instruction, Technology & Innovation (CiTi) Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) that serves nine school districts across Oswego County, New York.

Julie Landy, Ed.D.

Director of Assessment, Professional Growth and Community Services at CiTi BOCES.

Huhtamaki

A global packaging manufacturer that uses WorkKeys as part of their hiring and screening process in Oswego County.

Novelis

A company that has hired graduates of the Oswego County Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) program who earned Platinum-level NCRCs, with starting salaries ranging from $80,000 to $90,000 annually.

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What they’re saying

“The WorkKeys NCRC gives our students a credential that carries real weight. It's not just a test — it's proof of employability that the state recognizes.”

— Julie Landy, Director of Assessment, Professional Growth and Community Services at CiTi BOCES (oswegocountytoday.com)

“We have companies telling us that if a student holds a WorkKeys NCRC, they can skip the initial screening interview. That level of recognition is a powerful motivator for our students.”

— Julie Landy, Director of Assessment, Professional Growth and Community Services at CiTi BOCES (oswegocountytoday.com)

The takeaway

CiTi BOCES' successful implementation of the ACT WorkKeys program and National Career Readiness Certificate is helping bridge the gap between education and workforce readiness in Oswego County, providing students with a credential that is recognized by local and regional employers and opening doors to career opportunities that were previously out of reach.