July 2013 INDUSTRY CERTIFICATIONS FOR YOUR STUDENTS (AND
YOU!)
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Thousands of certifications available in the United States with
a variety of purposes Some industry certifications are too robust
to be completed at the secondary level Most programs have an entry
point examination that is a significant stepping stone toward
completion of the certification program Other types of examinations
verify industry standard knowledge and can be taught as a part of a
secondary level Career and Technical Education program SO MANY
OPTIONS
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Complete certification Pathway examinations State licensures
THREE TYPES TO CONSIDER
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A complete industry certification program Examination leading
to a nationally recognized industry certification from a specific
testing entity Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Some certification
entities may refer to their examinations as complete certifications
Part of a formal certification track which requires multiple
examinations for full program certification Microsoft Office
Specialist Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer COMPLETE
CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
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Exams constitute one or more entry level exams in a specific
industry certification Automotive Service Excellence A+/CompTIA
Important students understand that obtaining an entry-level
certification is a first step in exploring job related skill sets
while working toward achieving more advanced certification levels
PATHWAY EXAMINATIONS
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A state-issued professional license required state examination
before entry into a specific occupation usually requires additional
training and credentialing normally represents validation of the
essential skills needed for a specific job as determined by a state
licensing agency Many other state issued licensures are beyond the
scope of secondary-level coursework Pharmacy Technician, Licensed
Practical Nurse STATE LICENSURE
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AFNR Beef Quality Assurance Certification Certified Welder
(AWS) Commercial Applicator Certification Architecture &
Construction Certified SolidWorks Associate Drafter Certification
OSHA Safety Certification Arts, AV Technology & Communication
Adobe Certified Associate HTML Developer Java Developer Business
Management & Administration Concepts of Finance Fundamental
Business Concepts Education & Training First Aid/CPR Finance
Concepts of Finance Health Science Certified Nursing Assistant
Medical Administration Hospitality & Tourism ServSafe ProStart
Program Certification Human Services First Aid/CPR Information
Technology A+ CompTIA Certification Microsoft Office Specialist
Manufacturing Certified Welder Marketing Fundamental Marketing
Concepts STEM Electronics Systems Associate Transportation,
Distribution & Logistics Automotive Service Excellence CLUSTER
EXAMPLES
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A+/CompTIA Certification (A+ Essentials) Adobe Certified
Associate C-Tech Home Professionals C-Tech Network Cabling
Specialists C-Tech Voice Communications Professionals Cisco
Certified Entry Networking Technician Cisco Certified Network
Associate HTML Developer JavaScript Developer Microsoft Office
Specialist Project Management Professional INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY
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A portable credential that demonstrates achievement and a
certain level of workplace employability skills Applied Mathematics
Locating Information Reading for Information Measures real world
skills that employers believe are critical to job success Test
questions are based on situations in the everyday work world
Measures work-related behaviorsor soft skills Prediction about an
individual's success at work or in training Will be required of all
South Dakota Students in 2014-15 NATIONAL CAREER READINESS
CERTIFICATE
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Guarantees a minimum skill level commensurate with current
industry demand through a process that realistically and reliably
tests competencies Added value to a transcript for higher education
purposes or obtaining an entry-level position in the technical job
market and increased opportunities for advancement in a chosen
career path Enhanced self-esteem for students through achieving
national occupational competency standards recognized by business
and industry BENEFITS OF CERTIFICATION FOR STUDENTS
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Positive publicity within the community and among local
businesses Assures a standard minimum level of competency for
quality service Provides an opportunity for ongoing professional
development BENEFITS OF CERTIFICATION FOR LOCAL CTE PROGRAMS
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Ask the following: Are there any specific curricular
requirements of the industry certification? Are there any required
qualifications for the instructor? Does the student have to meet
any specific qualifications or pre-requisite courses before taking
the exam? How long is the certification good for? Are there
multiple tests the students has to take? Does the exam have to be
proctored off site? How much does the exam cost? Can the exam be
re-taken? Align curriculum to industry standards Educate students
about the value of the certification and corresponding
opportunities HOW CAN I INCLUDE AN INDUSTRY CERTIFICATION IN MY
CLASS(ES)?
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Industry certifications do not guarantee entry into a specific
occupation Certification exams can be expensive CHALLENGES OF
INCLUDING INDUSTRY CERTIFICATIONS
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HOW CAN I GET CERTIFIED?
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VARIETY OF VENDORS OFFER CERTIFICATION EXAMS
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CORPORATE TRAINING AT SD TECHNICAL INSTITUTES
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Energy Industry CETP: Certified Employee Training Program
Continuing education for those in the Propane Industry Pole
Climbing/Pole Top Rescue Certification Powerline and telecom
industry participants Tower Climbing Certification wind industry,
tower-erectors, tower service technicians Underground locating and
marking City, counties, electricians Apprenticeship Curriculum and
Management MTI students Municipal energy workers Northwestern
Energy MITCHELL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE
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Construction/Manufacturing Industry HERs: Home Energy Rater
Certification Building Construction and Heating/Cooling technicians
Electric Code Training for license renewal Electrical Workers
(apprentice, journeyman, Contractors, inspectors) OSHA 10 and OSHA
30 certification Construction and General industry workers Arc
Flash/LOTO EPA required ESCO certifications Heating/Cooling
Technicians or those working with refrigerants NATE Certification
training approved by North American Technician Excellence for
continuing education to maintain credentials for HVACR
certification CDL: Commercial Driver Licensing training, testing
and preparation for licensure of truck drivers AWS Welder
Certification and Welder qualification for most welding processes
(SMAW, GMAW, GTAW) ServSafe Culinary Students and Industry
Participants MITCHELL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE
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Technology Related Certifications CCNA: Cisco Certified Network
Administrator Training, testing and preparation for those who want
to become a CCNA Certification test center Microsoft applications
CompTIA Pearson Vue Testing Center NREMT GED Pan Testing Center
USPS TSA FBI Serv Safe MITCHELL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE
