Hiring based on aptitudes supports recruitment success & worker satisfaction
If you have been engaged with NKY Works and our five focus areas, you likely have heard about YouScience. YouScience is an aptitude assessment currently used in over 25 middle and high schools throughout Northern Kentucky. It has also recently been adopted by schools throughout Ohio. Aptitudes are our natural-born abilities, those things we do or “get” with little or no effort. Aptitudes are different than interests, which are easily influenced by our experiences and change frequently. Aptitudes are not skills, which can be built and honed through training and repetition. Aptitudes reflect our innate talents. Scientists tell us that aptitudes are stable by age 14.
You might think we would naturally pick careers that line up with our aptitudes, but that is not always true. Through the YouScience assessment, students often find they do not have an aptitude for the career pathways they are interested in. Conversely, they may find that they are not interested in the jobs that use their aptitudes. This misalignment can lead to multiple “false starts” and wasted time and money in education and training for mismatched careers.
YouScience is not the only aptitude assessment in the market, but it is the only digitized aptitude assessment, per the Ball Foundation’s research, according to Jennie LaMothe. Jennie is the Director of Coaching and Operations for NaviGo and works with school districts on the use of the assessment. “We recommended YouScience based on the thoroughness of the results each user receives. We believe that a student should first learn about who they are, before trying to figure out what they want to do, and YouScience gives an in-depth report of each user's aptitudes,” LaMothe said.
The assessment uses a series of brain games to measure performance across eleven areas: numerical reasoning, spatial visualization, sequential reasoning, inductive reasoning, visual comparison speed, idea generation, timeframe orientation, vocabulary, interpersonal style, work approach, and interest values. Users receive a personalized report detailing their aptitudes and how to identify them in others. It helps them understand how they work within a team, and how they align with their best-fit careers of over 600 options. By using YouScience, students can explore appropriate careers earlier in their high school years. They can seek out courses that build on their natural abilities. They can pursue part-time job opportunities and pre-apprenticeships that lead to full-time employment using a combination of their aptitudes and interests.
Companies are discovering the power of using YouScience assessment results as a recruitment tool. Working with local high schools, they are targeting students with natural alignment to their jobs and inviting them to participate in a wide-range of work-based learning opportunities. The goal is to let the student “tryout” the career as early as possible while also giving the employer time with the candidate before offering full-time employment.
On October 1, representatives from YouScience will be in Northern Kentucky to present assessment results of our regional talent pipeline. They will provide a detailed report on the aptitudes of current students from 17 different high schools in the region. They will be joined by LaMothe to discuss ways to engage students in career exploration. Employers such as St. Elizabeth Healthcare will also share their experiences using the assessment results.
The event is intended for employers and school personnel. It will be held at Gateway Community and Technical College’s Convening Center, 500 Technology Way, Florence, beginning at 8 AM. Registration is free and available at https://buytickets.at/nkyworks/1267067.
NaviGo is also presenting a free web-based session for parents who want to know more about the assessment on October 14 at 6 PM. Register at this link: https://forms.office.com/r/icPwMxUwpJ.