Hull, Iowa — The Boyden-Hull Community School District is among 15 districts statewide selected to receive up to $50,000 in grant funding from the Iowa Department of Education to strengthen career and technical education — or CTE — programs.
The funding comes through the Credentials to Careers grant program, which supports high school students in earning industry-recognized credentials—certifications and licenses that carry real-world value in fields like healthcare, IT, manufacturing, and business.
This latest round of grants totals $500,000 statewide, bringing the program’s cumulative investment to over $3.5 million since its launch in 2024. Districts were chosen based on their plans to align existing CTE pathways with credential attainment, ensuring students graduate with skills that meet workforce demands.
Iowa Department of Education Director McKenzie Snow says that students earning portable, stackable credentials will be ready to succeed in in-demand, high-wage, and public-good careers across our state.
Grant funds may be used for exam fees, equipment, instructor training, and curriculum enhancements—all aimed at helping students gain certifications endorsed by national trade organizations.
She says that Boyden-Hull’s inclusion reflects its commitment to preparing students for postsecondary success and connecting classroom learning to career opportunities.
Industry-recognized credentials are certifications, credentials, or licenses vetted by employers and endorsed by a nationally recognized trade association or organization in a particular industry. She says credentials are valuable tools for individuals in the workforce, verifying skill mastery and educational attainment. Industry-recognized credentials are available across many career pathways, including health sciences, information technology, construction, manufacturing, child development, culinary, and business.
Hinton Community School District was another nearby school that also received the grant.
For more information on the Credentials to Careers grant, visit the Iowa Department of Education’s website.
(Courtesy fellow Community First Broadcasting station KSOU in Sioux Center)
