All of these entities should institute the practice that occupational education and training programs conducted under the Workforce Investment Act (WIA): a) align with/use existing national recognized, industry-based skill standards and certifications as the basis for developing competency-based learning objectives, curricula, instructional methods, teaching materials and classroom/website activities; b) prepare their students/trainees to satisfy the employer knowledge and skill requirements assessed by the related examinations; and c) provide their students/trainees with the opportunity to take these exams and receive certifications corresponding to their courses of study.

New Jersey also requires that training providers use existing nationally recognized, industry-based skill standards and occupational certifications applicable to their programs in order for them to be included on the Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL) and receive WIA funds from Individual Training Accounts or direct training grants from any partner agency.

The information in the linked table provides a listing of current nationally recognized, industry-based occupational certification that can be utilized when reporting the attainment of a credential. The list identifies over 1,200 nationally recognized, industry-based certifications offered by the sponsoring agencies. To view the list of certifications please click here.
These certifications are matched to individual training programs on the ETPL and their corresponding codes found in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP)  taxonomy.