Jobs today are becoming extremely competitive and highly technical. It is important that students excel in academic and technical skills that are required to be successful in their chosen career fields.

The Pennsylvania Skills Certificate was created by the Pennsylvania Department of Education to recognize career and technical education students who have shown advanced skill achievement in their technical programs.

Tyrone Area High School students have the ability to enroll in CTE programs that are offered at the high school. These include agriculture, carpentry, accounting, and health occupations.

To earn the Pennsylvania Skills Certificate, students must achieve at the advanced level on a NOCTI (National Occupational Competency Testing Institute). These tests consist of two parts: multiple-choice and performance.

In late April, 18 Tyrone Area SD CTE students completed online exams, and proctors from various industries conducted the practicum (hands-on) testing portions.

This year out of the 18 TAHS NOCTI testers, eleven students received an advanced rating and will receive a PA Skills Certificate, and seven received a competent rating and will receive a Certificate of Competency.

The multiple-choice test covers factual knowledge, technical information, and the understanding of academic principles and problem-solving related to a technical field.

The performance test allows students to demonstrate that they have the skills required to do the job. The tests are given at schools with individuals from local businesses and industry evaluating student performance.

The tests provide students the opportunity to demonstrate that they have acquired the technical skills needed for entry-level employment and postsecondary education.

The Pennsylvania Skills Certificate is one of the qualifying documents used to offer students advanced college credits with partnering postsecondary institutions through statewide articulation agreements.

The following students completed NOCTI tests in their designated areas:

Agriculture Production (PA) – Leo Veit, Jenna Weyer, Rayann Walls, Jaden Williams, Catie Ewing, and Hailey Houck

Carpentry – Cyrus Ahlert, Brandon Chirdon, Justin Jackson, Zach LeGars, Brenton Loose, Will Price, and Beau Zeigler

Health Assisting – MacKenzie Ritter, Sarah Butina, Kevin Fink, Alison Weston, and Kiersten Friday

The percent of students with an overall rating of advanced on the NOCTI earn extra credit for TAHS on The Pennsylvania School Performance Profile (SPP).

The SPP provides a school-level academic score for public schools, including charter and cyber charter schools, and full-time comprehensive career and technical centers.