Autauga County students first in state to earn technical education certification

Photo from Autauga County Schools

Some students at Billingsley High School in Autauga County are the first in Alabama to earn NOCTI’s Ready for Industry certification.

Billingsley is the first school in Alabama to administer NOCTI’s Ready For Industry assessment, a career and technical education certification. Ready for Industry is an online program designed to address career awareness and preparation for the near-term job seeker, strengthening student job readiness for a competitive job market.

The students were a part of a science intervention class designed to help students explore practice applications of the subject along with STEM-related careers. Seven students took and passed the course with a workforce certificate, and five passed the NOCTI exam, earning CTE credit.

The students are Briana Coburn, Jaden McDaniel, Amira Moten, Aubree Vance and Caleb Blackmon.

The initiative provides participants with valuable credentials that enhance their career readiness and workforce opportunities through RFI certifications. The RFI certifications provide standardized assessments aligned with five key industries: construction, healthcare, information technology, logistics and manufacturing.

They aim to evaluate knowledge of industry processes, terminology and career paths, helping students prepare for the workforce.

“This initiative underscores our commitment to preparing students for real-world career opportunities,” Gylendora Davis, Billingsley science teacher, said. “By offering NOCTI’s Ready For Industry assessments, we are giving our students a competitive edge in industries that are vital to our community and beyond.”

Scott Mains, Learning Blade State Manager and his team were on campus recently to celebrate the accomplishments of these students. They provided a special lunch before awarding certificates during the school’s awards ceremony.

A Billingsley sophomore, Jaden McDaniel, was one of the first students to earn her RFI certification. She said, “The Ready for Industry course played a vital role in preparing me for my future career as a physician. It bridged the gap between academic learning and real-world medical practice by emphasizing clinical readiness, professional communication, and ethical decision-making.”

NOCTI is the leading provider of industry credentials and resources for career and technical education programs nationwide. With more than 50 years of experience, NOCTI is a pioneer in creating customized and standardized credentialing solutions and is a valuable partner in the CTE community’s efforts to improve America’s workforce.

— Information from Autauga County Schools