The Impact Of Getting An Industry Certification In High School

Across industries and job types, industry-recognized credentials (IRCs) signal that a student has mastered specific workplace knowledge and skills.

Students earn these credentials after completing specific classes and passing standardized assessments. The goal is to help people working in a particular field know they have the right skills to succeed.

It’s A Pathway

Many high school career pathways include industry certifications, a credential that tells employers you have the knowledge and skills to work in that field. Earning high school certifications can help you get a higher salary, jump into specific roles and boost your credibility in the workplace.

To achieve industry certification, students typically take a set of courses offered by a post-secondary education institution and pass a certification examination to earn the credential. This gives students a way to earn college credits while still in high school without incurring debt and gives them a competitive edge once they graduate. Unlike traditional vocational programs, modern pathways focus on stackable credentials that build on one another.

Why Earn An Industry Certification?

Gaining industry certifications in high school has a positive effect frequently on students’ post-secondary and employment outcomes. Research shows that these students are more likely to enroll in college and pursue a bachelor’s degree than non-earners.

To earn an industry certification, a student must demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary for that career. Additionally, many industry certification exams are rigorous and require a strong work ethic to pass.

For this reason, earning an industry certification can be a challenge. However, if students are willing to persevere and develop grit, they will be successful.

Career certifications are an essential part of a student’s journey along their career pathway and serve as benchmarks throughout that path. They are also an excellent tool to help students determine what careers interest them and to guide their future education and employment.

It’s A Credential

Industry certification is a credential that tells the world that you have specific skills and knowledge in an area. This is a great way to get ahead in the job market.

In today’s economy, employers want assurance that potential employees have the right skills to fill their needs. Often, these qualifications are provided through an education and training program.

Many of these credentials are also stackable, which means they can be earned over time to further advance a career pathway.

In a recent survey, over three-quarters of Florida high schools reported offering industry certifications to students. This indicates that industry-recognized credentials can be critical to high school success.

It’s A Tool

Students who earn industry-recognized credentials while in high school are more likely to enroll in college and graduate with a degree than their counterparts. A Florida Department of Education study found that students with certifications had higher GPAs, enrolled in dual credit and advanced placement courses and earned high school diplomas.

Industry-certified credentials are an excellent way to show your district’s commitment to preparing young people for a world where jobs that pay increasingly livable wages require educational attainment beyond a high school diploma. The state has been encouraging this by providing schools with support to help students meet industry-recognized credentialing requirements. The best part is that all the tools and technologies needed to help students do this are available. With creativity, you can offer industry-recognized credentials to the broadest possible population of students. The key is to find the right mix of students. This means you must look at all facets of student life, including curricular offerings, extracurricular activities and social interaction.