This blog series provides readers with insight on the valuable content that is being shared at the NASDCTEc Spring Meeting. Guest bloggers are partner organizations, supporters and other experts that will be present at the national gathering in the Washington, DC area.
Certiport, a Pearson VUE business, is the world leader in performance-based certification exams and practice test solutions for academic institutions, currently delivering nearly 2 million certification exams each year around the world.
There has never been a more important time for Career Technical Education programs to implement certification. There is a global technology skills gap, with more open positions in technology than there are qualified individuals to fill them. Helping students earn relevant certification builds their resumes and prepares them to win jobs and internships.
Many CTE programs are already arming students with industry-recognized certification to boost student resumes while satisfying state assessment requirements. In Alabama, for instance, the Department of Education started a statewide technology program just one year ago that has already reaped amazing results. Alabama’s Microsoft IT Academy provides opportunities for students to earn Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certification in areas such as Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word and Microsoft PowerPoint.
“Through this program, we can assure business and industry of a skill set in the area of technology and ensure students entering college are equipped with the technical skills to succeed academically,” Alabama State Superintendent of Education Tommy Bice said.
During the 2012-2013 school year 96 Alabama schools offered MOS certification and students earned over 1900 certifications.  An additional 51 schools have joined the program during the 2013-2014 school year and the number of certified students is expected to double.
Greene County High School’s Career Center Certification Wall
In addition to MOS, Certiport manages a sophisticated portfolio of leading certification programs including: the Microsoft Technology Associate certification program, the Adobe® Certified Associate certification program, the Adobe Certified Expert certification program, the HP Accredited Technical Associate, the CompTIA Strata™ IT Fundamentals, the Autodesk Certified User certification program, the Intuit QuickBooks Certified User certification program and the Internet and Computing Core Certification (IC³®).
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 or visit www.certiport.com.
Ramona Schescke, Member Services Manager