Industry Certifications For Your Students (and You!)

July 2013

INDUSTRY CERTIFICATIONS

FOR YOUR STUDENTS (AND YOU!)

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

Complete certificationPathway examinationsState licensures

THREE TYPES TO CONSIDER

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 SpecialistMicrosoft Certified Systems

Engineer

COMPLETE CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

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

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

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

Hospital ity & 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

Transportat ion, Distr ibut ion & Logist ics Automotive Service Excellence

CLUSTER EXAMPLES

A+/CompTIA Certification (A+ Essentials)Adobe Certified AssociateC-Tech Home ProfessionalsC-Tech Network Cabling SpecialistsC-Tech Voice Communications ProfessionalsCisco Certified Entry Networking TechnicianCisco Certified Network AssociateHTML Developer JavaScript DeveloperMicrosoft Office SpecialistProject Management Professional

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

A portable credential that demonstrates achievement and a certain level of workplace employabil ity skil ls Applied Mathematics Locating Information Reading for Information

Measures real world ski l ls that employers believe are crit ical to job success

Test questions are based on situations in the everyday work world

Measures work-related behaviors—or soft skil ls 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

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

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

Ask the fo l lowing: 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?

Al ign curr icu lum to industry s tandards

Educate s tudents about the va lue o f the cert ificat ion and corresponding opportun i t ies

HOW CAN I INCLUDE AN INDUSTRY CERTIFICATION IN MY CLASS(ES)?

Industry certifications do not guarantee entry into a specific occupation

Certification exams can be expensive

CHALLENGES OF INCLUDING INDUSTRY CERTIFICATIONS

HOW CAN I GET CERTIFIED?

VARIETY OF VENDORS OFFER CERTIFICATION EXAMS

CORPORATE TRAINING AT SD TECHNICAL INSTITUTES

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

Construct ion/Manufactur ing 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

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

Doug GreenwayDirector of Corporate Education

Mitchell Technical Institute

Phone: 605-995-3056 Doug.greenway@mitchelltec

h.edu

Erin Larsen Career Cluster Specialist SD DOE Phone: 605-773-2533 Erin.Larsen@state.sd.us

QUESTIONS?