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Here’s why Iowa high school students are earning industry recognized credentials
More students at Linn-Mar High School to graduate with credentials that show ‘skill mastery’
Dec. 1, 2025 5:30 am
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MARION — An industry recognized credential in conservation and sustainability in agriculture verifies Linn-Mar High School sophomore Will Berglund’s “skill mastery” and could open doors for him to further explore his interest in conservation as a future career.
Berglund earned his credential in an environmental science class, which is a part of the school’s agriculture program, completing daily assignments online for three weeks.
“It could potentially help me find a job,” Berglund said.
Having an idea of what career Berglund wants to pursue also is motivation to do well academically, so he can graduate and qualify for scholarship opportunities.
Berglund also knows conservation is a competitive industry, and having an industry recognized credential already sets him apart from other candidates.
More Iowa high school students are graduating with industry recognized credentials as the state homes in on work-based learning.
Fundamentals of Conservation & Sustainability in Agriculture, which Berglund earned, is just one industry recognized credential offered at Linn-Mar High School. The certification validates individuals have acquired knowledge and skills necessary to obtain careers in agriculture and natural resources. The credential was developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service.
Four other industry recognized credentials offered at Linn-Mar High include ServSafe, a food service certification; a paraeducator certification; certifications in manufacturing and welding; and a Certified Nurse Assistant certification.
Several of the training programs are available through dual-enrollment at Kirkwood Community College.
Credentials are valuable to employers, allowing them to determine the skill or education level of applicants, according to the Iowa Department of Education. High schools are encouraged to offer opportunities for students to earn credentials that “verify their skill mastery.”
Students earning credentials might enhance their employability and professional credibility. Credentials are developed in close collaboration with industry experts to ensure outcomes align with current and future job market needs, according to the Department.
Many credentials are stackable, meaning they can build on each other over time. Certain industry recognized credentials have established pathways for college credit or articulation agreements with higher education institutions.
Almost 80 students at Linn-Mar High School earned at least one industry recognized credential during the 2024-25 school year, and that number is growing rapidly.
Already this year, there are 90 students in agriculture courses that include earning an industry recognized credential, and 215 students earning OSHA 10, a 10-hour safety and health training course for entry-level workers in construction or general industry. Upon completion, students receive an official OSHA 10 card from the Department of Labor, which often is required for employment.
Industry recognized credentials are a way for students to “grasp real-world concepts” regardless of whether they go into that industry, said Jacob Mayes, an agriculture teacher at Linn-Mar High School.
The school is integrating more industry recognized credentials into courses already offered at the high school, exposing students to more career opportunities.
This can mean more engaged learners.
“When students know they are getting something that might benefit them in the future, it does have an effect,” Mayes said.
All industry recognized credentials require a final certification exam. Most of those exams are about 100 questions and require a score of 70 percent, Mayes said.
Chad Lang, Linn-Mar High School director of teaching and learning, said Iowa schools now are required to affix an industry recognized credential seal to transcripts for students who earn a qualifying certification. The law, House File 216, was signed during the 2025 legislative session.
Industry recognized credentials will become a measure in the future on the Iowa School Performance Profile, which assesses all schools on core areas including proficiency in English language arts, mathematics, science, student academic growth and chronic absenteeism.
The Iowa Department of Education began collecting data on industry recognized credentials in the 2024-25 school year, according to the Iowa School Performance Profiles September 2025 technical guide.
The Iowa School Performance Profile’s postsecondary readiness work-based learning index includes multiple pathways where students can participate and demonstrate readiness for life beyond high school. What attributes to the index is the percent of students earning college credit while in high school and the percent of students participating in work-based learning while in high school.
Linn-Mar Community School District’s 2025 work-based learning index is 34 percent, lower than the state average of 45 percent. Its college credit index is almost 73 percent, higher than the state average of 70 percent, according to the 2025 Iowa School Performance Profiles.
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