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The role of industry based certifications in career and technical education.

Article Excerpt
A compelling case can be made for embracing industry-based certifications (IBCs) for use in secondary and postsecondary programs of study in career and technical education (CTE). This idea has generated a great deal of interest among educators and policymakers all across the U.S., especially during the last five years, with an increasing awareness of IBCs as alternatives, or supplements, to more traditional credentialing systems such as postsecondary degrees, state licenses and apprenticeship certificates of completion.

As the certification industry grows and matures, and the application of certifications as tools for educators expands, the strengths and weaknesses of this approach become clearer. The appeal of industry-based certifications emerges from a continuing need to prove relevance and impact. Some of these needs are:

The need for program relevancy. Assurance is needed that the student has been adequately prepared for success in the current labor market. An IBC, by definition, is based on a workplace analysis of proficiency needs within an occupation or a technical area that reflects performance requirements of employers in an industry.

The need for accountability. An IBC is based on a valid, third-party testing protocol that insulates the learning process from the process for determining the level of skills and knowledge attainment.

The need for consistency of results. All students are tested against the same skills/knowledge objectives via a standardized testing process.

The need for nationally portable credentials. Prospective employers may not recognize the value of traditional local credentials, but often place significance on a credential that is developed and nationally portable within their industry.

The need to control educational costs. Even though there is...

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