Colorado Career Development and Industry Credentials Communications Toolkit

This Communications Toolkit is designed to support school and district leaders to increase student and family access to, awareness of, and engagement in high-demand and low-supply industry credentials in Colorado, and opportunities that students have to prepare for earning them while in high school.

Download the Career Development & Industry Credentials Communications Toolkit (PDF)

Who should use this toolkit?

District level career readiness, career and technical education (CTE), and work-based learning administrators.
High school principals, assistant principals, CTE program directors, counselors, and others engaged in Perkins CTE Programs or the Career Development Incentive Program.
For smaller districts, the superintendent or high school principal may lead this work in partnership with CTE teachers and counselors.
For larger districts, the communications team should utilize this Toolkit in partnership with divisions focused on career readiness.

Notes about using this toolkit:

Those engaging in this full toolkit will find it to be a lot of information, but it is not intended to be overwhelming. Sections are designed to build on and inform one another, and would ideally be approached over time (e.g., a planning phase vs.in one sitting). They can also be used independently and still be of value.
Each section contains linked and editable documents for local use and customization. Those that are intended for internal working use (e.g., reflection templates) are included as Google docs, and those that are intended for external public use are included as PDFs.

2022-23 Top 10 Industry Credentials List

Autodesk Certified User
Autodesk AutoCAD; Autodesk Maya; Autodesk Inventor; Autodesk Fusion 360; Autodesk Revit Architecture; Autodesk 3ds Max
Automotive Service Excellence Entry-Level Automotive Service Technology and ASE Entry-Level Maintenance and Light Repair
Certified Associate in Project Management
Certified Medical Assistant or Certified Clinical Medical Assistant
Certified Pharmacy Technician

Early Child Education Certificate - Child Development Associate
CompTIA Certification
A+, Network+, Secutiry+
Certified Nursing Assistant
- CNA One-Pager - English
- CNA One-Pager - Spanish
(ISC)² Systems Security Certified Practitioner or Associate
Microsoft Office Specialist

Download all industry credential one-pagers in English.

The folder also contains versions that can be edited for local needs.

Download all industry credential one-pagers in Spanish

How were the Top 10 Industry Credentials identified?

The Top 10 Industry Credentials were identified in fall 2021 following the passage of Increasing Access to High Quality Credentials (SB21-119), which strengthens the state’s focus in prioritizing in-demand industry-recognized credentials with labor market value. CWDC, CDE, and CCCS CTE worked collaboratively to identify the Top 10 Industry Credentials, ensuring alignment with all criteria required by the SB21-119 legislation.
Credentials were chosen from those identified by Colorado EMSI/Burning Glass Labor Market Information data and the Talent Pipeline Report as highest in demand (requested by employers in job postings) and lowest in supply (fewer number of Colorado job applicants who hold the credential). These credentials were also noted by industry partners and employers as having a high value in hiring and aligning to living wage jobs.
All Top 10 Industry Credentials are aligned to a program of study and concurrent enrollment opportunity through Colorado Career and Technical Education (CTE) and must be attainable for a high school student to earn by graduation or immediately after graduation.

How is the Top 10 Industry Credentials List different from the complete CDIP list?

The Top 10 Industry Credentials List includes the 10 industry credentials in highest demand and lowest supply across industry sectors and the state of Colorado that are attainable for a high school student to earn by graduation. Demand is based on the number of job postings requiring this credential, and supply is based on the number of individuals with the credential in the state. All Top 10 Industry Credentials are on the overall CDIP list.
Districts are still encouraged to support students in pursuing additional credentials on the CDIP list that are not among the Top 10, particularly if those credentials are in high demand and low supply in their region based on local labor market information.

Download a printable one-pager with this information (PDF)

View all Communications Tools from the Communications Division