Help your students: get college credit, gain meaningful employment, find relevance in their classes, improve their academics, and enhance their college applications by offering them industry certifications that align to your CTE programs.
2. TOPICS OF DISCUSSION
The Uphill Climb for Your Students
Integrating Skills & Validation – Why? How?
Top Secondary/Post-Secondary Certification
Recommendations
How to Get Started
4. YOUR STUDENTS STRUGGLE TO FIND JOBS
"Proportionally, more kids
have lost jobs in the past
few years than the entire
country lost in the Great
Depression."
- Andrew Sum in Time
Magazine
Jan 18, 2010
"Only one in four U.S.
teenagers held a job in
2011, the smallest
percentage in decades
and half what it was in
1999-2000.“
- Reuters News Report
January 24, 2012
5. GOING TO COLLEGE IS GETTING HARDER
> Enrollment of older students outpacing
younger (19% vs. 10%)
Community College Avg. & Mean Age of Students
Average Age Mean Age
28 23
> Increased applications, declining admissions
> Cost of education outpacing earning
potential increase (in some fields)
6. COLLEGE GRADS STRUGGLE
TO APPLY SKILLS
IN A PRACTICALENVIRONMENT
“Young people
leave college
without the
employability
skills they are
looking for.”
- Deloitte & Touche
7. WHY FOCUS ON SKILLS?
Student A Student B
Resume Highlights: Resume Highlights:
> Typing Class – A- > Type 60 WPM
> Internet & Computing Core
> English Class – A+ Certification (IC3)Certified
> Computer Class – B+ > Microsoft Office Specialist –
> Internship with local Excel Certified
accounting firm > Internship with local
accounting firm
> Assistant Drum Major
> Assistant Drum Major
WHO GETS THE INTERVIEW?
10. WHY CERTIFY? - GEORGETOWN UNIV.
> “…we need to revive high school career and
technical education programs as…”
Alternative pathways to postsecondary education
and training
To provide industry-based certificates and
certifications that make students employable
after high school
- Postsecondary Education and Training As We Know It Is Not Enough.
http://cew.georgetown.edu/uploadedfiles/412071_postsecondary_education.pdf
11. WHY CERTIFY - WA STATE (I-BEST)
> “The study identified a “tipping point” of at
least one year of college credit and a
credential as the threshold for…”
Earning better wages
Meeting workforce needs
Advancing/finishing post-secondary education
- Washington SBCTC – Research Report No. 08-1
http://www.sbctc.edu/college/education/resh_rpt_08_1_student_achieve
_basic_skills_003.pdf
12. WHY CERTIFY - HARVARD UNIVERSITY
of people with post-secondary
licenses or certificates—credentials short of
an associate’s degree—earn more than the
average bachelor’s degree recipient.”
Pathways to Prosperity (Feb. 2011)
http://www.gse.harvard.edu/news_events/features/2011/Pathways_to_Pr
osperity_Feb2011.pdf
13. WHY CERTIFY - CAL STATE UNIVERSITY
> “Students who earn credentials in
occupational programs can have substantial
earnings advantages over those earning
traditional academic degrees” (Emphasis
Added)
- California State University - Sacramento
http://www.csus.edu/ihelp/PDFs/R_Road_Less_Traveled_02_11.pdf
14. CTE CERT BASED PROGRAM IN NYC HS
> Lower Drop-out Rates
NYC CTE – 4x Lower
> Increased Post-Secondary Enrollment
NYC CTE – 92%
> Perceived Program Value
NYC CTE –600 openings received 10,000
applications
15. IMPROVED ACADEMICS – CTE & CERT
Performance Indicator Non-CAPE CAPE, No Cert CAPE + Cert
Average GPA 2.56 2.6 3.0
Chronically Absent 17% 20% 11%
At Least One Disciplinary Action 21% 21% 11%
Dropout Rate 2% 1% 0%
12th Graders Earning Diploma 79% 88% 97%
At Least One Accelerated Course 22% 22% 33%
Bright Futures Eligible Seniors 28% 26% 44%
16. WHY CERTIFY? - STUDENT CAREER READINESS
> 80+% of entry-level information worker tasks are
performed in Microsoft Office (Not Google Docs)
From a study with 10,000+ MOS Certified participants
> 85% of supervisors report…
More productive
Require less supervision
> 93% Become team resources
> 89% Are more satisfied at work
Keeping/staying with their jobs
17. HOW DO
AFFECT EMPLOYABILITY?
Certified Certified Certified
Conversion
Placement
Wages
individuals individuals individuals
are earning are placed on are converting
12% more than assignment at to full-time
non-certified a higher rate employment
individuals than the 20% more often
in their industry than non-
assignments average certified
individuals
Over 2,600 certified individuals tracked and compared
to more than 43,000 non-certified individuals
18. BUT ISN’T ALL OF THIS CERT VALUE A MYTH?
Network World and SolarWinds Survey (November 2011)
- 700 IT Professionals
- Nearly 80% said Certification made a difference
Did a certification lead to any of the following? (Check all that apply.)
Other Benefit
A Promotion
An Increase in Salary or Bonus
A New Job
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%
19. NHS UK CASE STUDY:
WORKFORCE
CERTIFICATION
BACKGROUND STAFF MANAGEMENT
AND TARGETS FEEDBACK FEEDBACK
800,000 technology users 91% increase in 577% ROI - “It not only
in a varied workforce productivity saves me time but also
ensures my data is accurate
Using MOS, practice tests, 95% learned features with less chance for errors”
training, and eLearning that will assist in job
functions 542% ROI - “It has had a big
Desire to increase overall
impact on my work and has
efficiency 97% now working faster saved a lot of time which
Need to find demonstrable 71% saving at least one means I can get more
and transferrable skills hour per week done.”
London, UK
20. WHY CERTIFY? - COLLEGE CREDIT
Students can receive college credit through:
21. WHY CERTIFY? – INTERNSHIPS
> Enhanced credibility with local employers
> Employers learn value of certified employees
> Students better prepared for real-world
experience
27. AVAILABLE CERTS – MOS
Largest Certification Program on the Planet
“Ideal” Candidates for Certification
Secondary CTE & College Students
Academy Program Students
Instructors and Staff
Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS)
Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access (SharePoint
& One Note in 2010)
- Microsoft Office 2010
- Microsoft Office 2007
- Microsoft Office 2003
28. AVAILABLE CERTS – MOS
This is what to expect -
Performance-based exam
50 minute length
20-30 test items with one or more tasks
Score required to pass varies with exam
(65-80%)
Skills measured are posted on Microsoft and
Certiport’s websites
30. MTA – IT STARTS HERE
Master +
Architect/Consulting Skills
Deep Technical Skills
Job Role Experience
1-2 Yrs. Technology
Experience.
Beginners
Associate Level:
• No work experience required
• Fundamental concepts
• Classroom taught
• Available to academic institutions only
• Positioning students for advanced training, MCTS and entry-level positions and
internships
31.
32.
33. MTA EXAM CHARACTERISTICS
This is what to expect -
Multiple-choice and other select-response questions
45 minute length
35 test items
Score required to pass varies with exam
(most IT exams range from 65-80%)
Source: US Dept. of Education
Skills measured are posted on
www.certiport.com/mta
34. AVAILABLE CERTS – MTA (RESOURCES)
Developed by MS Learning, MTA Exam Review Kits are collections of 21-hour review
lessons covering the topics for each MTA exam. They are offered as a free digital
download to MTA customers
Course syllabus
• Learning objectives
• Unit scope and sequence
• Pacing chart
Instructor materials
• Lesson plans for each day of instruction
• Presentation slides for each day of instruction
• Annotated speaker notes for each slide
Content delivery resources including
• Occasional class demonstrations
• Occasional interactive whole-class sessions
• Guides for occasional discussions to foster dialogue about key topics
Student learning materials including
• In-class exercises (including the code for those exercises)
• Practical out-of-class work
• Labs as appropriate
Student assessment materials
• End-of-lesson/sub-unit questions and answers
35. AVAILABLE CERTS – MTA (RESOURCES)
MTA Student Study Guides:
Available in print ready
or study ready format
Download free of charge at: www.certiport.com/mrl
36. AVAILABLE CERTS – IC3
Digital Literacy Certified in 3 Areas
Computing Fundamentals, Key Applications, Living Online
IC3 = Foundational Certification for
Office Workers
Design Workers
IT Professionals
Appropriate Courses for Certification
Introduction to Computers
Basic Microsoft Office Courses
Internet Use Courses
37. AVAILABLE CERTS - IC3
This is what to expect -
Three separate exams (allows formative testing)
Multiple-choice, simulations and matching
questions
45 minute length
45 test items with one or more tasks
Score required to pass varies with exam
(most IT exams range from 65-80%)
Source: US Dept. of Education
Skills measured are posted on Certiport’s
website
38. • QuickBooks Setup
• QuickBooks Utilities and
General Product Knowledge
• List Management
• Items
• Sales
• Purchases
40. Rich Media using
Flash
Excellent, Free Student and
Teacher Resources
Video Communication
using Premiere Pro
Blended Linear & Performance
Based Questions
Web Communication
using Dreamweaver
Visual Communication
using Photoshop
41. > Technology and Computer Hardware Basics
> Compatibility Issues and Common Errors
> Software Installation and Functions
> Security
> Green IT and Preventative Maintenance
42. Validate 2D and 3D design
skills using state-of-the-art
Autodesk® design software
Confirms students have the
skills necessary to continue
their design careers
44. RESOURCES FOR YOU - CURRICULUM
> Publishers with certification-aligned
curriculum:
John Wiley & Sons (Wiley)
Cengage
CCI Learning
Learnkey
Pearson
McGraw-Hill
Microsoft Press
Cisco Press
Many Others
45. RESOURCES FOR YOU – ASSESSMENTS
> MeasureUp
Wide offering of IT and other certifications
Microsoft Certified Practice Test Provider
CompTIA CAQC Approved
Robust Reporting
> Certiprep
MOS 07/10, Live-in-the-app practice tests
> Others:
Transcender, ExamForce, Gmetrix,
> Beware Blacklisted Practice Tests
47. RESOURCES FOR YOU
> Certiport Customer Success Team
Helps you through the initial setup and training process
> Certiport Regional Managers & Partners
Help you with product, program, curriculum questions
> Online Training Videos (www.certiport.com/go)
> Certiport Technical Support
24x7 technical support if you have any setup concerns
> Social Media Peer Connections
LinkedIn MTA Group
LinkedIn MOS Group
LinkedIn IC3 Group
Why do your students drop out?70% drop out because of a lack of engagement/interest (US DOE Data)
Troll the jobs pages and you’ll see that jobs are out there, right now, but they require specific levels of expertise. Simply because a student graduates from college with a computer science degree or with another valuable degree, this does not mean they are employable. Graduates may have learned some excellent skills in school – but the problem is – they don’t always possess the exact skills to fill an open position? And how can an employer verify that they can apply their skills on the job, and not just on paper? *Employers continue to complain that too many young people graduate without the skills they are looking for.In today’s economy that we just painted a picture of, and in this Information Age of technology, it takes more than a basic education to be employable. It is going to take more than just a degree to put your resume at the top. So what kind of employable skills are companies looking for?
Hiring managers know certified professionals help their organizations. In a recent study by leading employment agency Robert Half International, over 45,000 job applicants were studied. 2,600 of these individuals obtained the Microsoft Office certification. The results were staggering:* 12% earned more than their non-certified counterparts. * The study also showed that placement is higher with certification, with 47% of individuals reporting that their certification was a factor in improving their ability to find or keep a job, or get a promotion. A significantly higher percentage of the certified individuals got jobs in the first placeThe part-time individuals that were certified were converted to full time positions their companies, 20% more often than their non certified counterparts This study showed the value of a certification to employers. Increased pay and created better job opportunities.
The UK National Health Service is Europe's largest company and the 4th largest in the world. In 2010 the NHS launched a Microsoft Office Skills Training (MOST) program to increase NHS employee productivity when using Microsoft Office applications - Word, Excel PowerPoint, Outlook and Access. The program is proving popular with NHS staff, and since the program was launched there have been over 2000 exam completions. NHS offers the MOS certification to employees for free. David Levison, Senior Project Manager with the DH Informatics Team responsible for the delivery of the MOST program within the NHS, believes this skills training program will allow all NHS staff to get the “MOST‟ out of the software they use on a daily basis. A recent survey of over 100 learners from 40 different NHS organizations undertaken in September 2010 found that 100% would recommend the courses to colleagues and that 97% were now undertaking every day Microsoft Office tasks faster.
The best, and most useful certifications map directly to key job roles, or skills that are in demand in the workforce today. The technical skills measured by certification take education one step further and applying it in real life situations. Certiport offers 8 certification pathways:The HP Accredited Technical Associate is our newest certification program. The program provides the industry’s first architect-level certification designed for academia. This program validates the required IT expertise for implementing end-to-end solutions.Microsoft Office Specialist is the official certification program for Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, SharePoint, Outlook, and OneNote.Microsoft Technology Associate Certification is for students exploring academic or career options in technology, including developers, database administrators, and IT professionals.Adobe Certified Associate is the leading certification for validating entry-level digital communications skills for Dreamweaver, Flash Professional, Photoshop and Premier Pro.Autodesk Certified User for AutoCAD and Inventor provides an entry-level certification in 2D and 3D design software.CompTIA Strata is a stepping-stone certification that measures knowledge of basic IT terminology and skills.Intuit QuickBooks Certified User is a capstone certification in accounting coursework.
Bookkeeping in the 21st Century requires more than knowledge of GAAP principles or an eye for detail—students need relevant computing skills. Intuit® QuickBooks, the industry leader in managerial accounting software for small business, provides an easy-to-understand platform for students to grasp accounting concepts while honing skills in the most prevalent bookkeeping application in small business today. Students can validate their QuickBooks knowledge by becoming an Intuit QuickBooks Certified User.This certification validates…QuickBooks SetupQuickBooks Utilities and General Product KnowledgeList ManagementItemsSalesPurchasesThough not shown on this slide, it also covers…PayrollReportsBasic AccountingCustomization/Saving Time and Shortcuts
The CompTIA Strata IT Fundamentals certificate program offers individuals a broad introduction to computing technology and serves as a critical stepping stone to advanced technical learning and IT skills. The exam measures an individual's knowledge of…Technology and Computer Hardware BasicsCompatibility Issues and Common ErrorsSoftware Installation and FunctionsSecurityGreen IT and Preventative Maintenance
Anyone heard of Autodesk? You’ve probably heard of AutoCAD, the leading 2D and 3D design software. Not only do we provide their AutoCAD Certified User program, but we also offer the Autodesk Inventor Certified User program. These programs validate 2D and 3D design skills using state-of-the-art Autodesk design software and they confirm students have the skills necessary to continue their design careers.