Jefferson Parish Schools Students Earn 9,218 Industry Based Certifications
Providing increased opportunities to earn Industry Based Certifications (IBCs) has been a key part of Jefferson Parish Schools’ (JP Schools) strategy to ensure students are prepared for a career and college upon graduation. A key indicator of success, JP Schools announced today that high school students attained 9,218 IBCs during the 2020-21 school year, surpassing the previous record set in 2018-19 by 25% and exceeding the district’s strategic plan goal of 9,156 IBCs by 2024.
“When our students attain an IBC, they have proven that they have the basic skills and knowledge necessary for their target career field,” said Dr. James Gray, Superintendent of JP Schools. “By taking advantage of IBC and career and technical education opportunities during high school, students can fast track their career path and increase their long-term earning potential. When students graduate career ready, the entire community benefits from a more skilled, better educated workforce.”
During the 2020-21 school year, JP Schools expanded the Jump Start career and technical education program to include Jump Start After Hours and Jump Start Summers. Through Jump Start, students were given the opportunity to attain IBCs, gain job shadowing experience and earn a stipend while working with certified instructors.
Students earned advanced IBCs in target career occupations including Engineering, Medical Assistant, Digital Media/Graphic Arts, Carpentry/Welding, TV Broadcasting/Production, Industrial Machining, Auto Tech and Computer Coding. JP Schools continues to partner with local industry groups and career and technical colleges to ensure IBC offerings align with industry needs, thus fueling the local workforce and preparing students for high-wage and high-demand careers.
For more information on JP Schools’ career readiness programs, visit jpschools.org/careerready.