For years, West Virginia’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs have been doing exactly what they were designed to do: equipping students with real, job-ready skills. Students graduate knowing how to wire circuits, follow code, and work safely in high-stakes environments. Yet for many graduates, there was still a frustrating disconnect between what they knew and what they were allowed to do next.
That challenge sparked a powerful partnership, one that is now helping students move faster and more confidently from high school into high-demand careers.
At the center of this effort is James Coble, who works with the West Virginia Department of Education’s Office of Career and Technical Education. His role spans six career clusters, including architecture and construction, manufacturing, STEM, transportation, distribution and logistics, government public administration, and law, public safety, corrections, and security. Across all of them, his focus is the same – ensuring CTE programs stay aligned with workforce needs.
“That alignment,” Coble explains, “is really about making sure the skills students are learning translate directly into opportunities after graduation.”
Identifying the Gap
The partnership between the West Virginia Department of Education, the State Fire Marshal’s Office, and local electrical technology programs grew out of a shared realization. Schools were delivering strong instruction. Students were demonstrating competency. However, once they graduated, the path to licensure – particularly for electricians – was often unclear or inefficient.
“In some cases, students were being asked to repeat training they had already completed,” Coble says. “Or they had to wait longer than necessary, even though they’d already shown they were capable of doing the work.”
At the same time, the State Fire Marshal’s Office carries a critical responsibility of protecting public safety and upholding licensure standards. Any solution to bridging this gap had to preserve rigor while reducing unnecessary duplication.
The question became: How do we line up what students are learning in high school with what’s required to sit for the journeyman electrician exam without cutting corners or lowering the bar?
Building an Accelerated Pathway
The answer came in the form of an accelerated credential pathway tied to state-approved electrical technology programs. Under this model, school students who complete the NOCTI certification can become eligible to sit for the journeyman electrician exam immediately after graduation.
It’s important to note that eligibility is not automatic. Students must complete at least 1,080 instructional hours in a state-approved electrical technology program, including a work-based learning component. They must successfully pass written and hands-on assessments, demonstrate required competencies, and receive instructor verification. Standard testing and employment readiness requirements still apply.
What does change is what students can bypass.
Traditionally, graduates might need to complete a year of helper work or enter a registered apprenticeship before becoming eligible to test. Through this accelerated pathway, now supported by industry-recognized credentials, students meet the eligibility requirements through their high school programs instead.
“That’s the key,” Coble explains. “Instead of delaying progress, we’re recognizing the learning that’s already happened.”
Confidence as a Career Outcome
While long-term data is still being collected, early indicators are encouraging. Interest in credentialing and testing connected to electrical technology programs has increased, and schools are reporting a noticeable shift in student mindset.
“One of the biggest things we’ve noticed is confidence,” says Coble. “Students feel more prepared for what comes next—whether that’s taking the exam, entering the workforce, or continuing into an apprenticeship.”
That confidence matters. When students understand how their education connects directly to licensure and employment, the transition from school to career feels achievable rather than intimidating. Accelerated credential programs help make that connection visible and tangible.
A Model for the Future
Beyond electrical technology, this partnership is providing a blueprint for how education, industry, and regulatory agencies can collaborate effectively.
“We’re always looking for ways to strengthen career programs, especially in high-demand fields,” Coble says. “Any future accelerated pathways would be developed carefully and in coordination with industry and regulatory partners.”
That deliberate, collaborative approach is what makes accelerated credential programs sustainable. They are not shortcuts. They are thoughtfully designed pathways that respect standards, protect public safety, and honor student achievement.
Why It Matters
At its core, this work is about efficiency with integrity. It’s about recognizing student learning, reducing unnecessary barriers, and creating clearer on-ramps to careers that skilled trades urgently need.
When education and licensing systems speak the same language, everyone benefits. Students gain momentum, employers gain skilled workers, and communities gain a stronger, more prepared workforce.
NOCTI Partnerships Open More Doors for Students
At NOCTI, we take great care to ensure our high-quality credentials provide immense value and empower students and those in the workforce alike.
With over six decades of experience in CTE, our comprehensive services, in-depth reporting, and industry resources help our credentialing partners meet regulatory requirements while also enabling data-driven program improvements and student success.
In addition to our services, NOCTI’s connections and credibility within the education community create ample opportunities for dialogue with key strategic partners. NOCTI is an active member of the Association of Test Publishers (ATP). ATP members pledge to promote and advance the integrity of assessment services and products and their value to society. They are dedicated to the highest level of professionalism and business ethics within the test publishing community.
NOCTI also brings national credibility and accountability to these partnerships. As a member of the Association of Test Publishers (ATP), NOCTI aligns with industry standards that promote assessment integrity, professionalism, and ethical practice, reinforcing trust among education, industry, and regulatory partners.
Programs like West Virginia’s accelerated electrical pathway show how credentialing can serve as a bridge—not a barrier—between education and employment. By working alongside state agencies, educators, and industry partners, NOCTI supports credentialing solutions that recognize student achievement, reinforce program quality, and align with real workforce expectations. When credentials are thoughtfully integrated into education systems, they do more than measure learning—they help students move forward with clarity, confidence, and purpose.
Contact NOCTI to learn more about our high-quality credentials and explore CTE partnership opportunities.