Industry Certifications
Certification is the process by which an association or industry group grants recognition to an individual who has met specific work qualifications or performance standards. Certifications are often based on skill standards. Skill standards are performance specifications that identify the knowledge an individual needs to succeed in the workplace, and they serve as a basis for assessment and certification.
The TSSB encourages postsecondary and other education and training providers to use assessment and certification systems recognized by industry. For more information, please refer to the Guidelines for the Certification and Credentialing of Skill Attainment.
This page presents a list of fifteen industry clusters identified by the Texas Skill Standards Board for the purpose of organizing skill standards and other occupational resources. Certifications for each sector can be found by clicking on the appropriate link. They are listed here as a resource for community and technical colleges with instructional programs in any of these areas to meet Perkins IV performance indicators. Industry-recognized certifications directly address the “Credential, Certificate, or Diploma” performance indicator. In addition, many sponsoring associations require applicants to pass tests of technical proficiency to obtain certification. In those cases, the certifications could also potentially meet the “Technical Skill Assessment” performance indicator.
This is just a subset of the many certifications and certifying entities that exist. It is not a TSSB endorsement. These certifications are noted here because the certifying entities are industry based rather than product or brand specific, and because the certifications also appear to meet TSSB intent for its target audience: sub-baccalaureate, unlicensed occupations that have growth potential in terms of wages and employment numbers. A candidate should do a thorough investigation of the requirements of certification – and of the certifying entity – prior to investing in and pursuing any certification, whether it is listed here or found elsewhere.
