Industry-Recognized Credentials

In high school, students should see the relevance of their learning, be exposed to practical, real-world work settings and begin defining their futures. Career-focused learning can inspire students to identify their paths to future success. 

What’s in it for students?

The process of earning an industry-recognized credential allows students to experience education through work, about work and for work. Students learn more deeply by practicing and applying their knowledge through work and employment experiences – learning through work. They learn about workplace expectations in terms of professional skills needed for employment, as well as learning about career pathways and what the labor market for particular occupations looks like – learning about work. They also learn job-specific skills they will need to perform day-to-day tasks – learning for work.

Connecting students to opportunities to earn industry-recognized credentials puts them on a path to success after high school. Students who earn industry-recognized credentials are poised to directly enter the workplace or go on to two-year or four-year colleges. Industry-recognized credentials are an innovative approach to truly recognize and account for a student’s hard work in becoming career ready. Possessing an industry-recognized credential not only helps a student prove competency and capability in a given field, but also demonstrates to the community and employers that the student is knowledgeable, properly trained and equipped to carry out his or her duties. For many students, earning an industry-recognized credential can be an important step toward qualifying for high school graduation.