Tennessee Student Industry Credentials of Value
Industry credentials serve as a critical link between education and employment, especially when aligned with in-demand, high-skill, high-wage occupations. These credentials not only validate essential workplace competencies but also create pathways for learners to advance their careers. By ensuring that students acquire skills and competencies that employers truly value, industry credentials help bridge the gap between classroom learning and workforce readiness.
In Tennessee, fostering a strong workforce through high-quality career and technical education (CTE) programs and training is key to the state’s long-term economic success. To achieve this, aligning education and workforce development systems is crucial, particularly in ensuring that industry credentials validate the technical skills needed in today’s job market.
Earned through both secondary and postsecondary CTE programs, industry credentials play a significant role in Tennessee’s education landscape. Tennessee Department of Education promotes credentials that connect directly to postsecondary education and employment opportunities, reinforcing their importance as a measure of program quality. By earning these credentials, students demonstrate the technical expertise and competencies gained in their CTE programs, positioning themselves for success in an ever-evolving workforce and ongoing postsecondary endeavors.
While it is the discretion of the Local Education Authority (LEA) to utilize a variety of certification and testing vendors for student industry certifications, there must be strict compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, as well as local board policies, regarding the sharing, storing, and safeguarding of student data to protect the integrity and confidentiality of student information.