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Students and technical education coordinator say industry credentials boost work‑based learning
Summary
Technical education coordinator Austin Holper told the De Forest Area School District board that industry‑recognized credentials (IRCs) are expanding through CTE courses, youth apprenticeships and Madison College partnerships; three students described how certifications (CNA, ACCT, Microsoft Office) translated into paid work and college credit. The board praised the momentum and discussed tracking outcomes.
Austin Holper, the district’s technical education coordinator, told the De Forest Area School District Board that students are increasingly earning industry‑recognized credentials (IRCs) through in‑house CTE courses, youth apprenticeships and partnerships with Madison College and MATC. Holper said the district benefits from the Act 59 technical incentive grant, which provides funding for each graduating student who earns an IRC, and cited growth in credentials: 49 earned by the class of 2024, 92 by the class of 2025, and an estimate of about 125 for the class of 2026.
Three students who were brought to the meeting described how credentials helped them find work and gain experience. Caitlin Forsyth, a senior and ACCT credential holder, said she earned CPR and infant/toddler…
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