Below is a guest blog from one of our partner sponsors, Certiport. They will share information on their upcoming sessions at Achieving Excellence in CTE: The National Career Clusters Institute.
Digital literacy and basic computing skills are increasingly necessary to help students succeed in the workforce. Technology is pervading every work environment and as a result there is a demand for skilled IT talent. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 50 percent of the 9.2 million jobs in the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields will be in computing and IT by the year 2020.
Although today’s digital natives have grown up immersed in technology, many do not know how to use these tools intelligently and efficiently. In order to help graduates compete, CTE programs must not only teach basic technology skills, they must be able to prove those learning outcomes. A graduate who lists “Microsoft Office Specialist Certification in Excel 2013” on their resume has a more powerful arsenal than one who simply lists “Microsoft Excel skills.” Being able to prove competency is invaluable in the job market.
As a result, CTE programs must teach students the basics of computer hardware, software, and applications to prepare them to succeed in the workforce. Technology certifications such as the Microsoft Office Specialist, Adobe Certified Associate, and IC3 Digital Literacy Certification are recognized worldwide and give students the proof they need to succeed.
For example, at Brooklyn Technical High School, 1400 freshman students take the Autodesk Inventor Certified User exam each year to build industry-recognized credentials. As students advance they take additional Autodesk Certified User exams. The Autodesk Brooklyn Technical High School Success Story shows how this cutting edge school is preparing their students for college and the workforce.
Certification validates computing excellence, in-depth knowledge and real-world skills. It differentiates and elevates the individual from the crowd. By teaching technology skills and then validating them with certification, CTE programs will help students increase:
- Employability
- Job Opportunities
- Wages
- Confidence
- Skills
- Productivity/Efficiency
- Ability to Compete
As CTE leaders, there is a lot we can do to create a skilled workforce equipped with the necessary technology skills for current and future job openings. We have to expand our curriculum to teach essential workforce technical skills and validate them with certification.
To learn more about how Certiport can help your CTE program teach and validate in-demand workforce skills with industry-recognized certification, visit Certiport’s sponsor table, located in the Grande Ballroom Foyer, or www.certiport.com.
Ramona Schescke, Member Services Manager
