KEY POINTS ABOUT THE MA CAREER READY DATABASE SCREENS:

The Massachusetts Career Ready Database (MACR database), formerly referred to as the MA Work-Based Learning Database), is accessible from this website.  This database is sponsored and maintained by the Connecting Activities initiative, and has been used for many years by a variety of programs across Massachusetts, including student internship programs, Cooperative Education programs at our Career Vocational Technical high schools, YouthWorks, WIA Youth, local summer jobs programs and other programs.

Here are some key points about the database:

1. SIGNING UP. New users can sign up for a usename and password here, based upon their role as program staff, employer or student intern.  Those signing up for a staff account will obtain an access code (available from their regional WIB office).
2. SHARING and PRIVACY. The database is designed to facilitate collaboration, while maintaining privacy and confidentiality.  Users can collaborate with co-workers, supervisors, participants or teachers to write and view WBLPs, and the database is designed to facilitate sharing with designated people as selected by the user.
3. NAVIGATING IN THE DATABASE.  Navigation in the database is intuitive.  Users start at a main menu page, and from there, click a button to start a new record.  Or they click the various buttons to open existing records.  They can navigate to the placement screen (which provides basics about the job placement) to the job description, skills, and reviews screens.  Staff also have access to a reports menu with summary reports and lists.  All database users also have access to a "bank" of sample job descriptions and skiills/tasks, and are welcome to explore to learn more about the database.
4. FILLING IN PLACEMENT DETAILS (optional vs. required information).  The placement screen in the database requests basic information about the job placement, including the participant name, supervisor name, school, employer, start date, end date, hourly wage, if any, hours per week, etc.  Program staff see a more detailed version of the placement screen with additional program enrollment details.
5. Job Descriptions and Skills – Users can get ideas and sample job descriptions and skills/tasks from the "Job Description Bank" within the program (click the buttons for the bank of job descriptions and the bank of skills/tasks) and from the online resources at http://skillspages.com/masswbl.
6. Setting up routines.  Work with your colleagues or co-workers to set up routines for the database:
   • Who enters the information on the placement form?
   • When do you enter this information?
   • Who writes the job description and list of skills/tasks?
   • Who completes the performance reviews and writes goals and comments?
   • How can you be consistent in entering school names, activity names, organization names, career areas, job titles, etc.?
   • What reports will you run to review and analyze data?  Who runs these reports?  How do you use the data from reports to continually build and improve your youth programs?

Questions and Suggestions.  Database users can email ESE consultant Jennifer Leonard at jleonard@skillslibrary.com for assistance and to provide suggestions.  The database and these resource pages are continually improved and enhanced based on suggestions by database users.