Unlocking Success: The Value of IT Credentials in High School

In Wisconsin, IT-related careers are expected to grow 2.9 percent between 2018 and 2028, so graduating students skilled in this sector is vital. As high school students prepare for future careers, obtaining industry-recognized credentials (IRCs) becomes increasingly necessary for success.

No matter what career they pursue, students will need to demonstrate proficiency in IT, and certifications offer several advantages:

• Relevance in the digital age: The use of digital tools has transformed the workplace, making proficiency in office software a requirement for success. Microsoft applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, are tools used across industries. High school students equipped with MOS certifications gain a competitive advantage.
• Preparation for the workforce: Certifications provide practical job skills, making students job-ready upon graduation. A certification can show future employers a level of expertise that goes beyond familiarity with any type of software.
• Professional development opportunities: Certifications are not just for students, but instructors can also benefit from participating in testing and certifying as well.
• Alignment to curriculum: Incorporating certification programs into curriculum aligns with the evolving needs of the job market. In addition, aligning with higher education can earn students not only high school, but also college credit.

The alignment to curriculum is a key factor in providing students with the opportunity to earn an industry recognized credential (IRC) and can also earn credit through dual enrollment with a local technical college. Fourteen of the sixteen schools in the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) offer at least one dual enrollment course related to IT. The crosswalk below showing the high school course, the technical college course, and the IRC available offers a combination that can set your students up for success. Below are options that can lead to certifications with the bonus of college credit.

Business Management and Administration and Information Technology, the career clusters that most of these courses fall under, are the largest dual enrollment contact areas within the WTCS. They account for more than 900 or 21 percent of all dual enrollment agreements for the 2021-22 academic year. Students who leave high school with technical skills, college credit, and an IRC have a big head start.

In Wisconsin, IT educators can also receive support for the certification of these students through two different programs: the Career and Technical Incentive Grant and the Microsoft Learn program. Both are supported by Wisconsin statutes to assist with schools providing quality certification programs to their students. The Career and Technical Incentive Grant program is managed by the Department of Workforce Development (DWD) in cooperation with the DPI. Each year, DWD releases an Approved Certification List, which enables schools to be reimbursed up to $1,000 for each student who earns an IRC on the list. Students are claimed the year they graduate and can only be reimbursed for one credential. Funding is prorated based on the number of claims made statewide.

The Microsoft Learn program is a free-for-use by Wisconsin educators, including the opportunity for educators to become certified in the different IT areas. Microsoft Learn goes beyond the MOS certifications and includes opportunities to certify in Azure, Cybersecurity, and more. Need help choosing which program is best for you? This reference tool compares them so you can select what works best for your program, school, and students.

IRCs are a “win” for students, schools, and communities.

—submitted by Jennifer Jackson, Business and Information Technology Education Consultant, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

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