Overview of Industry Recognized Credentials
The College and Career Readiness and Civics submission (CCR) has a field related to the reporting of industry-recognized credentials (IRCs) students receive during their high school career. As a result, a common question we receive at the Department is, “Where can I find a list of industry-recognized credentials?”
The short answer is, there isn’t a list of industry-recognized credentials. There are just too many IRCs out there to be condensed into a single list. Rather than looking for a list, therefore, the Department recommends districts identify IRCs based on the definition of “industry-recognized” and “credential.”
Definitions
Per the US Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration (ETA):
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If we put these two definitions together, an industry recognized credential can be defined as a credential issued by a qualified third party that is sought by employers and endorsed by a nationally- and/or industry-recognized organization.
What Qualifies as an Industry-Recognized Credential
The following are considered industry-recognized credentials:
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Certificates of attendance or certificates of participation rarely qualify as a credential and should not be counted under this indicator. |
Industry-Recognized Credentials In High School
Does your high school offer your students the opportunity to obtain an industry recognized credential?
Can your students get certified in First Aid and CPR by the Red Cross in their Health classes?
Do your students have the opportunity to earn certification in different Adobe applications in their Graphic Design classes?
Do your Computer Science classes offer opportunities for CISCO certification?
Do your Business classes offer Microsoft certifications?
Do your students receive an IRC through programs offered by regional career and technical education centers?
The New Hampshire Department of Education offers a useful rubric to identify industry recognized credentials. A PDF of this rubric can be found at the following link: New Hampshire Industry Recognized Credential Rubric (PDF).
A list of potential IRCs that meet the rubric requirements for an IRC can be found on the NHED Bureau of Career Development’s homepage, in PDF form. The PDF is linked here: NH Industry Recognized Credential List (PDF).
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The NH Industry Recognized Credential List is NOT a comprehensive list of all possible IRCs. Your school may offer an industry recognized credential that is not included in this list, but which meets the rubric requirements for an IRC. Please use this list as a starting point; do not feel restricted to only those IRCs included in the list. |
Industry recognized credentials are everywhere. Be mindful of what’s most relevant to your students and most useful to them after high school, be it locally or beyond. A local business may value a particular homegrown credential that is not widely recognized nationwide, but which is highly valued locally within that industry. That qualifies as an industry-recognized credential as much as anything offered by a nationally known organization.