Career Readiness | Industry Certifications | Corrections & Security
Why Industry Certifications Matter: Fueling Growth Through CTE
Dr. Shashauna Bloomfield is a Career and Technical Education (CTE) specialist with a doctorate in CTE and a passion for empowering underserved youth through workforce readiness. She currently serves with the Alabama Department of Youth Services, where she leads high-impact certification programs, including EETC, with a 90% student success rate.
A Community Investment That Pays Off
When a student earns a certification, it does more than bolster their résumé. It transforms their future and energizes the communities they return to. Industry certifications are the linchpin connecting Career and Technical Education (CTE) with regional workforce development. These credentials verify that students have mastered job-ready skills, and they empower communities to meet labor market demands with confidence and efficiency.
Communities that prioritize CTE are making a tangible investment in their future. From healthcare and manufacturing to information technology and business, the demand for skilled professionals is accelerating. Without a qualified pipeline of workers, businesses struggle to grow, and for many of the young people, industry certifications offer a direct and immediate path to being employable and ready to contribute to the local economy.
The strength of this connection lies in alignment. Correctional facilities, reentry programs, and career centers that offer certification pathways based on current industry standards are creating meaningful bridges to employment. These programs don’t just fill skill gaps; they help rebuild lives.
Certifications as Catalysts for Success
What sets industry certifications apart is their dual value. For students, these credentials validate both technical knowledge and applied skills. For employers, they serve as a trusted signal that a candidate can do the work from the outset.
At the Alabama Department of Youth Services, I oversee CTE programming for young people ages 17–21 who are completing court-ordered education and preparing for reentry. When I joined the department, iCEV was already in place, but I saw the opportunity to deepen its impact. We’ve since gamified lessons, created a "Wall of Fame" to celebrate certifications earned, and partnered with Alabama Career Centers to support students as they transition into the workforce.
The results have been remarkable: 59 out of 60 certification vouchers used, with a 90% pass rate. Each certification represents more than a test passed; it’s a step toward a stable career, confidence, and often, the first real accomplishment a student can claim as their own.
One Student’s Journey with EETC
One student entered our facility uninterested in school or job training. His only goal was to finish his time and go work at Mercedes-Benz, where several family members had built successful careers. With encouragement, he agreed to try the EETC (Equipment & Engine Training Council) certification through iCEV. That single decision changed everything.
He not only earned the EETC credential, but also went on to complete three more: Express Employment, Personal Finance, and another foundational workplace readiness certification. I helped connect him with Mercedes-Benz, and once they saw his certifications, he was hired immediately. He started at $18.90/hour, reached $21/hour in three months, and is now on track to make $26/hour, along with full benefits.
He still calls me weekly to check in, long after his official release. That’s the true impact of CTE. It’s not best expressed in statistics; it’s reflected in the voices and stories of students who now see a future they never imagined. For students in correctional settings, certifications offer more than just technical training; they offer hope, structure, and a pathway to dignity.
Many of my students arrive feeling overlooked or underestimated. But when they leave with industry-recognized certifications in hand, they leave with purpose. Some move on to college. Others find immediate employment. And every single one of them gains confidence. I simply plant the seed and let them grow it.
Partnering for Progress: Education, Reentry, and Workforce Readiness
The most impactful certification programs are born from collaboration. Schools, correctional facilities, career centers, and businesses must work together to build programs aligned with real labor market demands. These partnerships create clarity, boost confidence, and open doors for young people returning to their communities.
Through workforce grants, employer outreach, and individualized support, we ensure students not only pass their certification exams, but also know how to apply them. That includes resume support, mock interviews, and setting up GED continuation or paid job training hours through the Alabama Career Center system.
Certifications become more than paper; they become proof of resilience and readiness. For students like mine, programs like iCEV offer a tangible way forward. They leave not only with credentials, but with confidence, skills, and a sense of possibility. If you're ready to bring that same transformation to your classroom or facility, explore how iCEV can support your students with a free trial or demo.