Expansion of educational opportunities continues to be the highlight across the state.

Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) Commissioner Candice McQueen announced last week her department is introducing 21 new “department-promoted” industry certification options as part of the Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs offered in schools to help prepare students as they seek employment in the industry sector.

According to the department, the new certifications bring the number of the CTE program study, with specific certification, up to 46 from 30.

“As we seek to prepare more students for college and careers — especially in our state’s high-demand industries, such as information technology and health science — we must provide more opportunities for students to earn meaningful credentials and certifications while in high school,” McQueen said in a press release issued to the Elizabethton Star. “This is the largest single year increase of promoted industry certifications since we have implemented a state-recognized list of aligned industry certifications and annual review process through our CTE reform work.”

Creation of new certification is a response from the department to requests made from local school districts and industries.

Department officials reviewed the list of industry certifications they received requests from school districts and vetted those with statewide industry advisory councils to ensure they are appropriate and high-quality pathways for students. This year, 40 percent of the requests met the requirements.

Individuals can visit www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/education/ccte/cte/cte_certs_2018-19.pdf online to view certifications that will be available for 2018-19 academic year.

Promotion of CTE programs has been a key talking point in Carter County with the growth of programs within Elizabethton and Carter County school districts. Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) – Elizabethton has also noted a rise in students focusing on trade professions.

TCAT – Elizabethton President Dean Blevins serves on the state’s College, Career and Technical Education Advisory Council and knows first hand the importance of having resources available for up-and-coming students.

Advisory members were recently able to provide a report with recommendations to the state’s Department of Education with different ways to improve opportunities for high school students looking to get certified in trades, including Work-Based Learning opportunities and other programs to promote readiness across the K-12 landscape.

“The vision for College and Career Readiness Work provided by the Report as guiding the TDOE CCTE’s future focus supports preparing all students in Tennessee for the world of work or college continuing to make the state of Tennessee a national leader in Career and Technical Education,” Blevins said in an email.