For learners facing barriers to employment, the opportunity to earn industry-recognized micro-credentials can be especially powerful. At Tennessee’s Carroll Academy, Ready for Industry (RFI) was integrated into Career Connect to support justice-involved youth with career exploration and workforce preparation. In the first year of the program, 22 students were recognized for workforce readiness, and a local employer pledged to hire a program graduate. As Lead Instructor Rene Sutton shared, “Through Ready for Industry, we help them discover career paths they never thought possible and watch as they begin to believe in their own potential.” The impact continues across adult education, corrections, and workforce programs.
Flexible Educational Opportunities For More Learners
RFI, powered by eDynamic Learning, helps learners and job seekers identify a clear career pathway. By introducing five industry pillars – Manufacturing, Healthcare, Information Technology, Logistics, and Construction – RFI helps job seekers better understand each industry and the types of jobs available. A key part of the RFI experience is preparing learners to earn industry-recognized mirco-credentials. Developed in partnership with NOCTI, these standardized assessments evaluate an individual’s awareness of in-demand industries and understanding of the best practices and skills required to enter the workforce. Through the RFI program, learners develop practical industry knowledge while strengthening essential employability skills such as communication, teamwork, critical thinking, digital literacy, and time management. As learners prepare to earn NOCTI micro-credentials, they also gain tangible evidence of career readiness that can support their next steps toward employment, additional training, or postsecondary pathways. The program’s impact also extends to high school and college learners. More than 2,200 Tennessee students have earned RFI certifications, and the RFI credential available through NOCTI is recognized as a Tennessee Tier 1 industry credential for 2026–27. At Big Sandy Community & Technical College, learners have completed more than 5,000 RFI lessons and earned more than 100 certificates.
More Than Career Preparation
For learners seeking a second chance, RFI offers more than career preparation. They offer a credentialed pathway to “what comes next”. In Louisiana, RFI is supporting justice-involved learners through correctional and reentry programs, with more than 100 certificates earned at Rayburn Correctional Center alone. Through Goodwill Industries of Kentucky, learners have strengthened healthcare workforce skills while earning RFI credentials, NOCTI micro-credentials, and additional industry certifications. This combination of career knowledge, employability skills, and industry-recognized credentials help job seekers – regardless of their past experiences – move forward with confidence.
60 Years of Creating Stronger Pathways
Whether learners are preparing for their first career or their next opportunity, RFI’s approach to industry education is making a difference in the everyday lives of learners and job seekers. RFI’s work demonstrates how career-connected learning can support a wide range of learners including high school students, adult education participants, workforce learners, and individuals seeking a second chance. With the added value of micro-credentials, learners can demonstrate both industry awareness and career readiness as they move toward their next opportunity. Through this continued work, more learners will gain the knowledge, confidence, and recognized credentials needed to take their next step toward career success.
ACTE’s CareerTech VISION 2026 Event
VISION attendees are encouraged to visit the Pearson Career Ready booth to learn more about RFI’s work and how micro-credentials help learners demonstrate career readiness. To learn more about ACTE’s CareerTech Vision 2026 event or register to attend, visit the event website. If you are with a workforce center, community college, high school, or any other educational organization interested in more information about Ready for Industry or to see if the RFI program is free in your state, visit www.readyforindustry.com/states.
Become a Partner
Interested in exploring what partnering with NOCTI & NBS would look like for your organization? Contact us today.
About NOCTI’s 60th Anniversary Blog Series:
Over the next several weeks, we are celebrating our 60th Anniversary by shining a spotlight on the work of our partners. As we highlight the ways assessments have evolved to meet the needs of the CTE community, we invite you to follow along and join the conversation using #NOCTI60 on social media. Learn more about NOCTI’s 60th Anniversary celebration “Shaping the Future.”