Industry certifications are evidence of skills or knowledge related to an occupation, industry or technology. Each year, the KDE Office of Career and Technical Education publishes a list of valid industry certifications that can be referenced by educators. 

During the 2024 KACTE Summer Conference, an industry certification computer lab will be open to all business and marketing teachers. 

The lab will be equipped with the latest computers and software to experience valid certification exams. It will be staffed by an experienced technician who can provide assistance with any computer-related issues. Free access will be given to select exams that are provided by Certiport, A*S*K Institute and Comptia/TestOut. 
This is an opportunity to:

• Experience the same testing environment your students will encounter;
• Familiarize yourself with the content to ensure your coursework aligns;
• Help improve your chances of increasing your students pass rate; and
• Become industry certified in the field you teach.

The industry certification computer lab will be open July 9-10 until 4 p.m. ET.
​
Visit Kentucky Business and Marketing Educators website for updates to the list of certification exams. 

See the following information as it was posted to the NBEA website.

Also, if you haven't checked out the NBEA website lately, lots of updates. Go there to see all updates and follow them on Social Media.

"NBEA Executive Board Takes Unprecedented Action Due to Corona Virus
Taking care of our members is at the center of everything we do at NBEA. Even as we navigate times of change, our highest priority, service to you, remains the same.
Due to the high number of cancellations by attendees and the public emergency declared by the Massachusetts Governor concerning the Corona Virus, the NBEA Executive Board of Directors has voted to transition its annual event to a virtual conference.  The virtual conference will be held on the same dates as previously scheduled, April 7th to 11th. While we all desired our conference to go on as normal, the Board had no other reasonable alternatives on a way forward. While change can be concerning, it can also break new ground, be exciting and productive.
In the coming hours and days, we will be posting information that will answer all of your questions. However, one thing we need is patience and understanding. Know that all NBEA members and stakeholders will be treated fairly in the process of navigating tumultuous change.  That is our rock-solid commitment to you.  For now, here are the things you can take immediate action on:

1. Please do not contact headquarters with questions about refunds or details about the virtual conference yet.
2. Beginning next week, cancel any travel arrangements you may have made to Boston, including hotel arrangements. Airlines are currently experiencing massive call volume, so know it may take some time.
3. Stay tuned to NBEA social media outlets and website here for more updated information.

We anticipate more information being made available early next week. "

Ashley Caldwell – our Kentucky representative from Certiport - reached out with the most gracious offer for Kentucky teachers and students!
 
Below is a link for teachers to use for 90 day access to all Certiport learning content and GMetrix.  I would recommend that even schools who have a 10 or 30 seat license use this link. 
It will upgrade them to an unlimited license allowing students to use this on home computers also. 

​Hopefully this will help teachers manage their students and teaching in this challenging time.
 
https://gocertiport.pearsonvue.com/learning-product-trial
 
This video will give teachers a quick overview of LearnKey and GMetrix.
 
LearnKey Overview
 
Providers:

• GMetrix
• LearnKey
• CCI
• Moore Solutions
• Jasperactive
• Pearson
• BrainBuffet

 
List of programs:

• Microsoft Office
• Microsoft Technology Associate
• IC3 Digital Literacy
• IC3 Spark
• Adobe
• AutoDesk
• CompTIA
• Entrepreneurship and Small Business
• QuickBooks
• Communications Skills for Business

 
If you need assistance – the onboarding team at Certiport can assist in getting schools started.
 
Onboarding:  888-999-9830 option 3
 
As far I as I know, Certiport is not doing this in any other state -  so I appreciate you not sharing this link outside of Kentucky.

BusinessU will offer a free subscription to standards based online Business & Marketing curriculum for any teacher through the end of the semester. Many of these courses are in the Kentucky program of studies. This is a great option for schools preparing for online delivery of instruction for Business & Marketing courses.
For those who are in need of remote learning tools for business and marketing curriculum BusinessU is extending free access through the end of the semester.

Courses are fully-loaded, ready-to-teach and delivered via the browser for both teachers and students. This does include student subscriptions. Courses include:

• Principles of Marketing
• Principles of Entrepreneurship
• Principles of Finance
• Principles of Management
• Business & Marketing Essentials
• Personal Finance
• Sports Marketing
• Advanced Marketing
• Advanced Entrepreneurship or
• Build Your Own Course

Just email your name, email and school name to [email protected] and he will send you access.
 
In addition, the following list of resources may be helpful as well: 
​Education Companies Offering Free Subscriptions due to School Closings

Five items I wanted to share today for Business & Marketing programs:
 

1. BusinessU KY Pricing with new EOP Test Prep resources
2. Certiport Pricing for Kentucky
3. AICPA – Accounting Program for Building the Profession – Advanced High School Accounting – Teacher Training
4. Amazon Future Engineer program – apply now for the waitlist
5. APTech in Partnership with Konica Minolta Announces 12th Annual Student Design Competition – deadline – June 5th