Collier County Public Schools

Industry Certification Newsletter

January 2014 Issue

What are industry certifications?

What classes offer industry certification? All Career and Technical Education programs and many additional career

themed courses offer industry certifications in middle and high schools.

Industry certification is earned by a person to assure qualifications have been

met to perform a job or task.

Due to evolving industry standards and varying technology requirements, indus-

try certifications provide an impartial, third-party endorsement of professional

knowledge and experience that is often recognized across the country.

A variety of tests are available to students at various times upon reaching appro-priate skill levels. These industry certifications are nationally recognized and pro-vide opportunities for a higher level of placement into career fields. Industry cer-tifications can also provide a student with postsecondary credit if transitioning to

a technical center or college.

Statistics

In the 2012-13 school year

CCPS students increased their

industry certification attain-

ment almost 223% from the

previous year.

Nationally, industry certifica-

tion holders earned 37% more

than workers with a high

school diploma and almost as

much as workers with an asso-

ciate’s degree (Occupational Out-

look Quarterly Winter 2012-13)

The average GPA of a Florida

student without a certification

is 2.53, while the average GPA

of a student with a certification

is 3.03 (FLDOE, 2010, Certi-

port.com)

The rate of Florida students

who earn a diploma but do not

earn a certification in high

school is 66.5%, while 94% of

Florida high school students

who earn a certification earn a

diploma (FLDOE, 2010, Certi-

port.com)

30.5% of certified students go

on to complete at least one

college-level course while only

17.7% of non-certified students

do the same (FLDOE, 2010, Certi-

port.com)

For more information please visit the Collier County Public Schools Career and Technical Education website at www.collierschools.com/cte

Why is industry certification

important? Industry Certification verifies that

individuals have the entry-level

skills to perform job functions in

the area of certification. Research

indicates students who attain

industry certifications earn more

money over the course of their

careers than those lacking indus-

try recognized certifications. Stu-

dents who earn a certification feel

a sense of accomplishment.

Business and industry have

asked for more qualified and

skilled workforce from school

systems. Students who earn

industry certifications have a

competitive edge upon gradua-

tion and become more marketa-

ble in the workplace during and

after college and/or other post-

secondary schooling. Students

can also receive college credit

a f te r ob -

taining an

i n d u s t r y

cer t i f i ca-

t i o n

through state or local articulation

agreements. Students can find

approved industry certifications

for the various Career and Tech-

nical Education programs and

academies for Collier County at

http://www.collierschools.com/cte.

Click on Industry Certification

under “College and Career Plan-

ning” on the left side of the page.

How do students

prepare and take

industry certifica-

tion exams?

Industry certifications are an im-

portant component of career

academies and Career and Tech-

nical Education programs as it

shows students have demonstrat-

ed evidence of technical skill at-

tainment and also impacts school

grade as a part of accelerated

coursework component.

Therefore, at the conclusion of

various stages of course work in a

Career & Technical Education

Program of Study or Career Acad-

emy, students are provided with

opportunities to take a pre-test. A

score of 90% with teacher recom-

mendation allows students to take

the applicable industry certifica-

tion test. Some tests are offered

at various times during the year

and others may only be offered

once. Teachers notify students

well in advance, when industry

certification tests are available.

Autodesk Certified User - AutoCAD

Autodesk Certified User - Autodesk Inventor

Autodesk Certified Professional - AutoCAD

Autodesk Certified Professional - Inventor

Autodesk Certified Professional - Revit Architecture

Adobe Certified Expert - Premiere Pro

Adobe Certified Associate -Web Communication using Adobe - Dream-weaver

Adobe Certified Associate-Rich Media Communication Using Adobe - Flash

Adobe Certified Associate -Visual Communication With Adobe - Photoshop

Adobe Certified Associate -Visual Communication With Adobe - Premiere Pro

Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)

Cisco Certified Entry Network Technician (CCENT)

Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)

Cisco Certified Network Associate Security (CCNA® Security)

CompTIA Network+

CompTIA Security+

CompTIA Server+

Certified Dental Assistant (CDA)

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

FAA Aviation Mechanic General

FAA Airframe Mechanic

FAA Powerplant Mechanic

FAA Private Pilot

FAA Ground School

Engineering Core Certification

QuickBooks Certified User

Microsoft Office Master

Microsoft Office Specialist

Microsoft Technology Associate - Windows OS Fundamentals

Microsoft Technology Associate - Security Fundamentals

Microsoft Technology Associate - Networking Fundamentals

Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA)

NCCER Carpentry - Level 1

NCCER Construction Technology

ASE Automobile & Light Truck Certification - A5 - Brakes

ASE Automobile & Light Truck Certification - A6 - Electrical/Electronic Systems

ASE Automobile & Light Truck Certification - A1 - Engine Repair

ASE Automobile & Light Truck Certification - A7 - Heating and Air Condi-tioning

ASE Automobile Service Consultant - C1

ASE Automobile & Light Truck Certification - A4 - Suspension and Steer-ing

ASE Medium/Heavy Truck Technician - T4 - Brakes

ASE Medium/Heavy Truck Technician - T2 - Diesel Engines

ASE Medium/Heavy Truck Technician - T6 - Electrical/ Electronic Sys-tems

ASE Medium/Heavy Truck Technician - T8 - Preventive Maintenance Inspection

National ProStart Certificate of Achievement

Certified Food Protection Manager (ServSafe)

Certified Internet Web (CIW) - Internet Business Associate

Accredited Legal Secretary (ALS)

What industry certifications

are available in CCPS?