FCPS CTE staff report gains in industry-recognized credentials and apprenticeships, outline implementation steps

Frederick County Public Schools CTE staff reported at a district meeting that the system is increasing the number of graduates earning industry-recognized credentials and expanding apprenticeship and career-coach supports to meet state targets.

CTE staff said the district awarded 2,038 certifications to the most recent graduating cohort, with 1,606 seniors graduating with at least one industry-recognized credential (IRC), a rise of 242 seniors and roughly 501 additional certifications compared with the prior year. The district reported that 28% of SY25 graduates held at least one IRC, up from 22% the previous year, and that 68% of seniors met “concentrator” or “completer” status by completing required course sequences in a pathway.

Why it matters: Maryland’s Blueprint for Maryland’s Future sets a statewide quality metric that Frederick County must track: an increasing share of graduates earning an IRC or completing a registered apprenticeship. CTE staff described steps they say will increase access to credentials, work-based learning and earlier career exposure so students can meet the state metric ahead of the deadline.

CTE programming and credentials: Corbin Zumaker (CTE staff) said FCPS currently lists 45 high-school CTE programs, three middle-school…