The National Association of Manufacturers and four other industry groups have called for every secondary school student in the nation to receive the National Career Readiness Certificate, which Kent ISD was the first region in the nation to pioneer.  Michigan has now issued more than 45,000 National Career Readiness Certificates and Kent ISD school districts have issued more than any county in the state.

National Association of Manufacturers Seeks Nationwide Adoption of NCRC
March 5, 2009

WASHINGTON -- The National Association of Manufacturing is hoping it can play matchmaker to millions of workers seeking employment and thousands of companies demanding skilled laborers by endorsing a set of skills credentials. Leaders of the largest industrial trade association in the United States, along with four industry groups, announced Wednesday their support for a nationally portable certification system for those in the manufacturing work force. These groups, representing professions from metalworking to welding and everything in between, hope that more of their member companies will begin requiring these skills credentials and that the country’s community colleges will begin helping more of their students attain them alongside traditional academic degrees.  For the complete story, click here http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2009/03/05/certification