What is it?
A series of study
guides and optional tests to increase your knowledge about the workforce development system.
Why do it?
Job excellence in
the 21st century requires enhanced professional development and “big picture awareness.” This program
provides you with that awareness. It can be used for:
- Staff orientation
- Cross-training
- Staff development
Areas of study
include:
- History of Workforce Development
- Unemployment Insurance
- Labor Market Information
- Business & Jobseeker
Read or Test?
Use the guides to
simply increase your knowledge about the system we work in
OR
Read, study, and
take the optional tests
Why do the testing?
The WPDP is one of
the few certification-type programs in the workforce development field. It classifies your knowledge level and can be used
as a substitute for experience or education. It has become a respected and recognized measurement of core program knowledge.
History of WPDP
1986—original
development started
1990—first
version released which was supposed to include a guide called “Job Training” but this guide was shelved due to
the Workforce Investment Act (WIA)
1995—Study
guides were revised by volunteer WPDP Masters and the SC LMI Department
1999—Version
3 released
May 2004—Version 4 released
Future developments
include online testing, a recertification program, and possible additional modules (collaboration, customer service, case
management, and marketing)
How the WPDP is
used in other states:
· Material Provision: Study Guides in IAWP or professional development agency libraries
(SC has them!)
· Paid Enrollment Programs: Agency or chapter pays for study guides and testing (SC
educational grant can help pay for study guides and tests!)
· Reimbursement Programs: Individual pays and is then reimbursed by agency or chapter
· Service or Tenure Incentive: Successful completion of WPDP testing equates to degree
or is used for experience requirements
· Probationary Incentives: Completion of WPDP decreased a new employee’s probationary
period
· Incentive-Based Salary Adjustments: Completion of WPDP is tied to one-time salary
increase
· Performance Incentives: PDP can be recognized on an employee’s evaluation as
going beyond job duties
· Competitive Recognition: “Quiz Bowl” contests at chapter functions
Costs of WPDP (prices are for IAWP members; costs for non-members are slightly higher)
- Study Guides: $15 each
- Tests: $35 per exam or $125 for all four
- Retesting: $15 per exam
Grants: The chapter’s James F. Walls Grant can be used for study guides or exams (up to $50 per
year)
The Tests
- 100 multiple-choice questions
- 75 correct answers to pass
- Actual score is not released (pass/fail only)
- Can take two tests in one testing sessions
- LMI is hardest (lowest pass rate)
- Tests are offered in January, April, June/July (at the IAWP International Conference), and October
(you must apply to test by the 15th of the month previous to the actual testing month)
Testing Tips
- Give yourself plenty of time to study.
- Read the study guide once all the way through and then read it again and highlight important facts.
- Use flash cards, self-testing, quizzes with family/friends, study groups, etc.
If you pass all 4
tests, you are deemed a WPDP Master. South Carolina has 7 WPDP Masters:
- Linda Floyd (1991)
- Ted Gladden (1991)
- Lorraine Faulds (1995)
- Jimmy Jones (1995)
- Al Jones (1996)
- Gary Crossley (Honorary)
- Sam McClary (Honorary)
If you are interested in looking at the WPDP Study Guides, please contact SC Chapter IAWP Librarian
Linda Austin at 803-737-0240 or laustin@sces.org to sign out a study guide.
If you are interested in finding out about testing, please contact Education Chair Susan Hair at
803-737-0122 or shair@sces.org.
