Staff Report
DRIPPING SPRINGS – More than 80 Dripping Springs High School (DSHS) students obtained industry and work-ready certifications through the school’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs – a total of 87 certifications have been earned in eight areas.
Students earned certifications across a variety of career pathways including health science, biotechnology, engineering and floral design. That number is expected to increase this summer, as many students continue taking certification exams over the next several weeks.
Certification courses provide valuable technical, communication, collaboration and leadership skills to help students build their career portfolios and earn higher wages.
These certifications introduce students to knowledge and skills that are foundational to future jobs and set them apart from their peers.
• The Certified EKG (Electrocardiogram) Technician (CET) program is in its second year at DSHS and saw the highest number of students certified this year with 31 students passing the exam. Students in this program paired valuable coursework with hands-on practical skills in order to pass the challenging CET exam. The 31 students who earned the CET can work in a variety of medical and clinical settings.
• The Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) program celebrated 25 students passing the nationally recognized industry exam. A clinical medical assistant can be responsible for a wide range of patient care applications, from assisting physicians with procedures to taking vital signs to record-keeping. They can work in a variety of settings such as independent clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or home health.
• Biotechnology saw two senior students earn the ACC Biotechnician Level 1 Certification. This joint program with Austin Community College (ACC) provides students with the opportunity to gain valuable lab skills, learn to record and analyze data, participate in research projects, and compete for entry-level jobs in Austin’s fast-growing biotech sector.
• The floral design program was introduced at DSHS because of the high demand for skilled labor in the Dripping Springs area, known as the “wedding capital of Texas.” Certifications through the Texas State Florist Association demonstrates students’ knowledge and skills and has led to many DSHS students finding internships and paid positions in the local floral industry.
• Earning a certification in Solidworks applications demonstrates competency in 2D or 3D computer-aided design, which is used in many engineering trades today for drafting projects.
• Students who completed the DSHS Real Estate course will have the opportunity to sit for the Real Estate Sales Licensed Agent exam this summer. DSHS was the first high school in Texas to offer this unique and valuable program.
To view the full list of students, please visit https://www.dsisdtx.us/Page/3068.
