If you are a regular reader of the Web Professionals Global blog, you know that we have been discussing the increasing importance of AI for the past several years. In recent months we created the Certified AI for the Workplace credential to equip learners with AI skills they can carry with them into future careers, regardless of industry. Today, we are proud to recognize three students at Haven High School in Haven, KS, who are the first recipients of the certification. Led by teacher Jessica Wilson, these students are marking an important milestone in their career and technical education (CTE). The certification is achieved by working through the AI in the Workplace course, which was created by CTeLearning, the curriculum partner of Web Professionals Global. The course and certification provided students with hands-on instruction in AI concepts, equipping them for practical application across every career pathway.
Why Offer the Certified AI for the Workplace Credential Now?
The workplace is changing at an unprecedented rate, with AI ready to transform every industry. By 2027, 75% of businesses are anticipated to use AI technologies, and 66% of company leaders already value AI capabilities in prospective hiring. 60% of companies say they will hire a less experienced candidate with basic AI skills over a more experienced and seasoned individual. For career and technical education (CTE) students, learning about AI is no longer optional—it is required. This emphasizes the importance of courses such as AI for the Workplace, which provide learners with cutting-edge skills and portfolio projects they can utilize to distinguish themselves in the labor market.
Course and Credential Overview
Web Professionals Global designed the AI for the Workplace accreditation, while CTeLearning created the interactive training experience. The end product is a self-directed course that is flexible and easy to facilitate, with the microcredential incorporated. Each activity the student completes is a step closer to earning the credential. This course, by design, adapts to any CTE pathway, requires no prior experience, and can be completed in roughly five hours of class time. Upon completion, students receive an industry-recognized microcredential, which includes a second page explaining its value to potential employers or college recruiters.
This accreditation provides a significant edge in the employment market. AI readiness boosts employability and wages by 21% to 47%, depending on the industry. By encouraging creativity, productivity, and ethical responsibility, the course provides students with the tools they need to succeed in a quickly changing environment.
Student Feedback
Sorrel, a student who wants to pursue postsecondary education, described her experience: “This course was quite beneficial and will be useful in the future. AI is an important aspect of today’s environment and will continue to evolve. I learned a lot in the AI course, and what I learned will be really valuable in my future profession.”
For Bryce, a senior about to enter the professional working world, the course provided a fresh perspective: “This course was quite pleasant and interesting to learn about. It was helpful to understand the evolution of AI from its inception to its current level of sophistication and speed. After going through those sessions, I can clearly see AI becoming an even larger part of the job. This might certainly help me write updated resumes and automate certain reports in the future.”
Mayzie, a junior currently considering her post-secondary plans, found the course both practical and thought-provoking: “The AI course was simple to use and well worth the short time it took to finish. It was really educational and made me consider AI in terms of the future. It was lifelike and relevant; I would strongly suggest it.”
All of the students mentioned the value of the PromptScout tool in the course, which provides students with over 5,000 (5,360 to be exact) example prompts from 63 different industries and job categories. Through each lesson, the students used PromptScout to learn how AI is used in career paths they are considering. This unique tool enables them to experience how AI works in the professional world. These students have grown in AI knowledge and skills, creating confidence in an area that is incredibly important to today’s modern economy. By teaching AI skills early on, we are helping to equip the next generation of working professionals to navigate and succeed in AI-integrated workforces in a variety of industries.
Celebrating Our Educators
Jessica Wilson, the Business Management instructor at Haven High School, took advantage of a special benefit only available for educators. Teachers are given the option to receive the AI for the Workplace – CTE Educator microcredential. They earn this through the course set up and implementation training, electing to go through the lessons and scenarios (which most teachers do anyway). Essentially, this means teachers may be rewarded with the certificate for being engaged teachers, mentoring and learning along with their students. As a bonus, teachers who take the time to document their implementation process and facilitation may earn CEUs provided by Web Professionals Global. In this way, teachers are rewarded for their prep and effort to give their students this career building opportunity with a career building credential and CEUs as well. Jessica is the first teacher in the US to earn the AI for the Workplace – CTE Educator certificate and the CEUs from Web Professionals Global.
Jessica decided to use the AI for the Workplace course with her students because they had a variety of career ambitions. She wanted to see how these new skills would benefit a wide range of kids and guided her pupils through the learning process, assuring their success in obtaining this career-building credential. The minimal prep time allowed Jessica to quickly and easily implement the “micro” course thanks to the course design and minimum preparation that delivered significant results. “Since this was a new certification for us, I wanted to do a quick test before I rolled it out to other classes, so I purposely chose a class I knew had diverse career plans. The students are very much self-starters. It was a no-brainer to incorporate this into my Business Management class, but I could see it working well with any career exploration unit. It’s a simple, minimal-prep modification that’s ideal for sub plans.”
Mark DuBois, Executive Director of Web Professionals Global, congratulated Jessica and her students on their first in the nation achievements. “For years, I’ve been giving speeches about AI and its impact on industry. However, the acceleration of AI over the last year has surprised even me. These pupils are learning about the new workplace literacy. AI is a tool, and if used correctly, it may be quite powerful. Today, everyone must have fundamental AI abilities or they will fall behind. AI transcends all employment paths, including trades and technology. We, as an organization, are proud to be leading the effort to provide these skills to students, and we are especially proud of the first to obtain the credentials. Congratulations to Jessica, her pupils, and the Haven School District administration for being so forward-thinking. I would also be remiss if I did not call out a special congratulations to Jessica as the first educator to receive our newly minted AI for the Workplace – CTE Educator certificate. We created the teacher certificate variant in response to district administrators who are looking for educators who understand this new technology.”
As AI continues to transform sectors, credentials such as Certified AI for the Workplace give students and educators the tools they need to succeed. CTE programs can prepare students for a world in which AI abilities are not only advantageous, but also required. For educators and administrators, now is the moment to incorporate AI into your curriculum and keep your students ahead of the curve.
Reach Out Today
Contact us today to find out more about our Certified AI for the Workplace credential or any of our other certifications.
