CVTC Honored with National ACT Award for Prior Learning Assessment

Recognition of Excellence in Education and Workforce Development

Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC) has been honored with a prestigious award for its innovative approach to helping students earn college credit based on their existing skills and experience. The recognition comes from ACT, which recently presented the 2025 Higher Ed Policy Exemplar award for two-year colleges to CVTC. This marks the first time that ACT has given this particular award, highlighting the institution’s commitment to prior learning assessment practices.

The award was presented during the ACT Summit in Nashville in July. The summit brings together leaders from various sectors, including workforce development, K-12 education, and higher education, to promote collaboration and shared goals. “We were able to focus our discussions on putting policy into practice and breaking down silos to get work accomplished,” said Lynette Livingston, CVTC provost and vice president of Academic and Student Affairs. She also noted that Arizona State University received the four-year college award, placing CVTC in esteemed company.

In 2024, CVTC played a key role in securing a significant designation for Eau Claire County. The county became the first ACT Work Ready Community in Wisconsin after the college partnered with local organizations to achieve this status. The certification reflects the quality and skills of the county’s workforce. While Eau Claire is the first in Wisconsin to receive this recognition, over 550 communities across the United States have similar designations, which are valid for two years.

“We’re working even more closely with local employers and K-12 partners to build strong, career-ready pathways for our students,” Livingston explained. The ACT Work Ready Communities initiative connects workforce development with education, aligns with regional economic needs, and helps match individuals to jobs based on their skill levels.

How the Program Works

More than 80 organizations in Eau Claire County have agreed to recognize the ACT WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC). This portable credential is earned by completing assessments in Applied Math, Graphic Literacy, and Workplace Documents. Employers can use the NCRC to better match qualified candidates with job openings. Additionally, businesses can create position profiles that outline the specific knowledge and skills required for each role. These profiles are then entered into proprietary software that aligns the job with the appropriate WorkKeys assessment levels, helping to determine the minimum requirements for each position.

For high school students, the assessment is optional. Some school districts offer it to select groups of students. Many of CVTC’s High School Academy Business Management students take the test because they can earn credit for their Math Reasoning course if they complete it.

A Shared Effort for Better Outcomes

Livingston emphasized the importance of collaboration in achieving meaningful results. “When we come together and can work on a shared effort, that’s when we see results, and that’s our evidence,” she said. By fostering a shared understanding of goals, the community can close the skills gap and meet the demands of the workforce.

“This is an opportunity to connect all of the dots,” she added. Through these efforts, CVTC and its partners are building a stronger foundation for students, employers, and the broader community.