Certifications Offered

Students at the Central Westmoreland Career and Technology center are given the chance to obtain many different types of certifications through their shop's course work. A certification is a certificate stating that you have met certain standards and are now qualified in that skill.

Automated Office Technology offers a certification to their students. One is the Microsoft Office User Specialist (M.O.U.S.). This tests you in Microsoft Excel 2000, Microsoft PowerPoint 2000, Microsoft Access 2000, Microsoft Word 2000 and Microsoft Outlook 2000.

Computer & Information Science students can also become certified as Microsoft Office User Specialists. The computer students are also covering Oracle, which involves in the creation and maintaining of databases, web development and Java programming. This will enable the student to become certified in Structured Query Language (SQL) and Java Programming.

Tech 2000+ offers two certifications. The first is C-Tech, which certifies you in computer networking, fiber optic cabling, Cat 5 and coaxial cabling. The other certification is Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA). CCNA designation demonstrates the ability to install, configure and operate simple-routed LAN, routed WAN, and switched to LAN networks. Topics include: Internet Protocol (IP), Interior Gateway Routing Protocol (IGRP), Internet work Packet exchange (IPX), Serial Communications, Apple Talk, Frame Relay, IP, Rip Routing Information Protocol, VLans, IPX Rip, Ethernet, and Access Lists.

Heating and Air Conditioning offers a certification from Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA). Every student is given the opportunity to take a test giving by ACCA. If they pass the test they will be certified to work with the chemicals used in Air Conditioning systems. Carpentry offers the opportunity to prepare for the Carpentry Apprenticeship Test. The Apprenticeship Test deals mostly with mathematical concepts. The shop instructors tutor the students for the construction portion of the test. A mathematics instructor tutors the students for the math portion of the test.

National Occupational Competency Testing Institute (N.O.C.T.I.) . This test helps employers and educators better understand the job related accomplishments and potential of the students they seek to select, train and promote. This test is available in 23 of 25 programs at C.W.C.T.C. It covers areas from Culinary Arts to Carpentry. From Auto Mechanics to Computer Applications. Each test has two parts a written and a performance part. They measure work place skills. All students taking this test will receive a certificate that indicates their level of performance in specific areas of their vocational program. Those students who score above average in both the written and performance areas will get an additional gold certificate signed by the governor designating them as Pennsylvania Vocational Skilled Graduates . Each year over 50 % of the C.W.C.T.C. students earn this gold certificate. Pennsylvania's average is only 33%.

Graduating with additional certificates gives students a better chance of getting a job. Employers then know that not only did the student graduate from the program but that they possess the additional skills required for certification by an independent organization. These certificates can be beneficial when the students enter the job market.