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UCPS reports record CTE credentialing for 2023–24; district third in state for credentials earned
Summary
District staff reported 13,161 industry credentials earned in 2023–24 and a 64% attainment rate, with high performance in electrical trades, Adobe certifications, OSHA and ServSafe.
Union County Public Schools’ CTE staff reported a record number of industry credentials earned by students in the 2023–24 school year and highlighted areas of high attainment across the district.
Mr. Davis of CTE central office told the committee the district recorded 13,161 credentials earned in 2023–24, the highest total since the district began tracking credentials in 2021. The district reported a 64% credential attainment rate for students who attempted certifications, up from 33.6% in 2020–21.
"These actually are a tangible way to validate that knowledge and skills," Mr. Davis said, describing credentials as industry-recognized certifications that improve students’ resumes and can affect starting pay. He noted Union County Public Schools ranked third in North Carolina for credentials earned in 2023–24 and is the only district to have remained in the top three for the last four years.
District highlights included 494 Adobe Illustrator certifications and 564 Adobe Photoshop certifications. Monroe High School’s NCCR electrical trades program recorded 329 NCCR modules with an 85% attainment rate; the program’s teacher was cited as a CTE teacher-of-the-year finalist. The district also reported 565 OSHA 10 certifications and 452 ServSafe certifications (ServSafe attainment cited at 83%). A veterinary certification in the agricultural program reported an 80% attainment rate according to the state credential report.
Mr. Davis said the district plans to expand offered certifications where possible, including adding the CIW social media strategist credential in marketing classes, and to continue professional development and classroom support to maintain or increase attainment. He also recommended working with career development coordinators to ensure credentials are recorded in student career plans.
Committee members raised potential roadblocks to continued growth: one member noted recent state legislation adding graduation requirements — beginning-9th-grade art — that could reduce students’ ability to enroll in CTE classes due to scheduling limits. Mr. Davis and other committee members said the item will be monitored and is a candidate for the district’s legislative agenda.
Committee members asked for periodic updates on program capacity, enrollment and wait lists; Mr. Davis agreed to pull a report showing each school’s CTE programs, capacity and current enrollment for the committee.
