Certifications Drive Career Success in Missouri

Helping Missouri Students Build Skills That Lead to Real Careers

At Smithville High School in Smithville, Missouri, longtime agriculture science teacher Johnny Viebrock has created a classroom environment focused on preparing students for the future. With nearly 30 years of teaching experience, he is dedicated to ensuring that every learner graduates with something meaningful and measurable. Through iCEV’s industry-recognized certifications, his students now finish high school with validated skills and credentials that support their next steps in college and career pathways.

Viebrock was one of the earliest educators in Missouri to adopt iCEV. He began using the platform for its engaging video instruction and soon expanded his program to include certifications such as the Elanco Veterinary Medical Applications certification, the Equipment and Engine Training Council certification, and the Ducks Unlimited Conservation and Ecology certification. These credentials have helped students secure internships, full-time jobs, and even early admission into competitive agriculture and technical programs.

“If I am going to keep my program viable, I need to show that kids are leaving with something tangible,” he explained. “Industry-recognized credentials do exactly that.”

Expanding Certification Access Across the State

Viebrock’s influence extends far beyond his classroom. Working alongside administrators and state officials, he played a key role in helping Missouri approve five iCEV certifications for the state’s official Industry-Recognized Credential list. This approval has opened the door for more CTE programs across Missouri to adopt high-quality certifications that strengthen student outcomes and support workforce readiness.

Celebrating Student Achievement at the District Level

Smithville High School’s commitment to career readiness earned special recognition when it became the first school in Missouri to receive an iCEV certification wall mount. The display was unveiled during a district school board meeting as a way to honor students’ accomplishments and highlight the growing importance of industry-recognized credentials within the district’s CTE programs.

For Viebrock, the mission is clear. He wants students to graduate with more than classroom knowledge. He wants them to walk across the stage with credentials that demonstrate their abilities, increase their confidence, and set them up for long-term career success.

Preparing Missouri’s CTE Students for Real Opportunities

Across the state, educators like Viebrock are showing how iCEV certifications can strengthen agriculture education, support career and technical education programs, and give students a stronger foothold in the workforce. By providing accessible curriculum and meaningful credentialing options, iCEV is helping Missouri students build the skills that matter most for their futures.

Johnny Viebrock
Agricultural Science Instructor