40+ Legislators Sponsor Bill that Expands Student Opportunity to Earn Industry-Recognized Credentials

More than forty legislators, led by State Representative Jeff Roy, have signed H.567 a bill that will expand opportunities for students to earn industry-recognized credentials (IRCs) in high school.

IRCs are used by employers to certify that an applicant is qualified for a job.  Students who earn them have an advantage finding high-demand jobs with good wages.  MBAE is leading this initiative to create stronger connections between K-12 education and pathways to future employment by making career preparation an option for ALL students.

An Act expanding high school student access to earn industry recognized credentials does the following:

1. Requires that the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development provide the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education an annual list of high need occupations that require an industry-recognized credential:

• Credentials ranked by employment value
• Top 20% of the list to be credentials leading to occupations of high employment value with annual wages at 70% of annual wages in the commonwealth

2. Creates a financial incentive to be awarded to schools for every student that earns an industry-recognized credential:

• The IRC must have high employment value or be recognized by higher education institutions or address regional demands identified by the local MassHire Workforce Board
  • Requires school districts to allocate 80% of award to the school at which the student obtained the qualifying industry-recognized credential
  • The allocation cannot be used to supplant existing school funds

3. Requires the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to prepare an annual report detailing:

• The number of students seeking and earning industry-recognized credentials, and
• the number of students seeking and earning industry-recognized credentials who are low-income, ELL and/or SPED
• The number of certifications earned by students
• The types of certifications earned by students

Several states have adopted similar strategies to encourage school districts to offer industry certification courses to students.  In Florida, where the program was established in 2007, over 71,000 students have earned industry certifications with student enrollment rising every year.

“Offering industry-recognized credentials will help align high school education with future professional and academic pursuits and open up additional avenues for students,” said Rep. Jeffrey N. Roy, Chair of the Joint Committee on Higher Education. “It will also help us address the workforce skills gap in the Commonwealth, build a strong talent pipeline, and link students to jobs that pay high living wages. It’s a win for the Massachusetts economy, a win for our businesses, and a great opportunity for students.”