Alternative High School Graduation Pathways
The College is proud to announce that its Workforce Innovation division now offers alternative high school graduation pathways to help students succeed in today’s competitive workplace.
Ohio’s education system must support students in acquiring the professional skills that
Ohioans need to be job-ready. When schools prepare students for the 21st century
workplace, they also build the talented workforce that Ohio businesses need.
New Graduation Requirements for a High School Diploma
State law introduced new, long-term graduation requirements for students in the class of 2023 and beyond. Students entering ninth grade July 1, 2019, must meet their basic course requirements, earn a passing score on Ohio’s high school Algebra I and English II tests, or choose one of the following pathways to show competency:
- Earn a composite score of 13 on the ACT WorkKeys assessment and an approved industry-recognized credential.
- Complete College Coursework, by earning credit for one college-level math and/or english course
- Enlist in the military
High schools may offer industry-recognized credentials in three ways:
- Within the high school curriculum.
- Career-technical education programs.
- Seniors-only programs.
Partner with Cuyahoga Community College to Increase High School Graduation Rates
What’s in it for students?
Career-technical education allows students to gain hands-on experience they can apply directly
in the workplace. They learn the professional or “soft” skills needed for employment while exploring
career pathways and examining the labor market. They also learn the job-specific skills they need to
perform day-to-day tasks in their chosen field. In short, students learn about work, through work and for work.
What's in it for schools?
Schools get credit in the Prepared for Success measure on the report card for students who earn approved industry-recognized credentials. Including industry credentials in this component places an emphasis on students’ career readiness.
What’s in it for businesses and communities?
Finding, hiring and retaining high-quality employees is a monumental task. Industry-recognized
credentials help employers validate the knowledge and skills of potential employees and saves valuable time in assessing the skills of job applicants.
Why Tri-C?
Tri-C is committed to addressing the technical gap in this region by continuing to introduce and engage youth in grades nine through 12 in cutting-edge STEM instruction. Tri-C fosters strategic partnerships with programs specifically built around the needs of employers within the industry. Students learn new training systems that prepare them for the future workforce and the latest technologies. We offer many of the qualified, industry-recognized credentials for the demanding careers in Northeast Ohio and provide field experts as instructors to train and prepare students for the certification exams.
| Cuyahoga Community College Qualified Manufacturing Programs *3rd party test required for certification |
Earn in One School Year | Point Value | College Credit Plus |
| Welding American Welding Society Certification* |
Yes | 12 | X |
| Manufacturing/Logistics Certified Production Technician - four modules Manufacturing Skills Standards Council Certification (MSSC)* |
Yes | 12 | |
| Youth Manufacturing Pre-Apprenticeship Ohio State Pre-Apprenticeship Certification of Completion |
Yes | 12 | X |
| Construction Pre-Apprenticeship Training Ohio State Pre-Apprenticeship Certification of Completion (12) $ OSHA 1-hour Certification (1)* |
Yes | 13 | X |
| Robotic FANUC Certification |
Yes | 6 | X |
| Tooling FANUC Certification |
Yes | 6 | X |
| Lean Six Sigma White Belt Six Sigma* | Yes | 6 | |
| National Institute for Metalworking Skills Certification (NIMS) NIMS Machining Level 1 Certification* |
Yes | 12 | |
| Right Skills Now National Institute for Metalworking Skills Certification (NIMS)* |
Yes | 12 |