Connecticut approves YouScience Certifications to power CTE statewide
Approval of 74 YouScience® Industry Certifications now gives Connecticut students access to industry-vetted credentials that support stronger college and career readiness
AMERICAN FORK, Utah and CONNECTICUT – April 14, 2026 – YouScience, the leading education technology company transforming college and career readiness through its award-winning platform Brightpath, today announced 74 YouScience industry-recognized certifications (IRCs) have been officially approved by the Connecticut State Department of Education for use in Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs.
This approval gives Connecticut schools access to a broad set of Perkins-approved certifications that validate real-world, in-demand skills, helping students build stronger pathways from the classroom to high-growth industries. This approval builds on a long-standing foundation of success in the state. Since 2019, Connecticut students and learners have completed more than 86,000 YouScience Industry Certifications, demonstrating a high demand for credentials that translate directly to the workforce.
Local district leaders emphasized the importance of expanding credentialing opportunities for students.
“As a CTE business teacher in Connecticut, I am excited to finally offer students industry‑recognized business certifications,” said Jennifer Carson, Business Educator at Hill Regional Career High School, “While the state has long emphasized credentials and career pathways, this platform is the missing link that aligns our instruction to meaningful workforce validation. It provides clear proof that our students are learning relevant, job‑ready skills—and that our teaching truly prepares them for college and career success.”
The newly approved YouScience IRCs include high-demand career areas that are aligned to Connecticut’s workforce needs such as advanced manufacturing, digital media, health sciences, marketing, robotics, and more.
By integrating these certifications, schools can give students verifiable credentials that reflect industry expectations, strengthen CTE program quality, and improve postsecondary and employment outcomes.
In addition to using Industry Certifications, many Connecticut schools and CTE programs use the full YouScience Brightpath platform to:
- Advance Connecticut’s career-connected learning vision
- Discover students’ aptitudes, not just interests
- Guide course and career planning with real data
- Align education with in-demand careers and local workforce needs
- Offer industry-recognized certifications that validate skills
- Expand access to work-based learning and employer connections
- Support Perkins V reporting with robust analytics
- Empower students with purpose-driven, personalized pathways
To date, more than 7,500 Connecticut students have used Brightpath to discover their aptitudes and interests, aligning their natural talents with best-fit career pathways.
“With this approval, Connecticut students now have greater access to industry-recognized credentials that help them build the skills and confidence needed for today’s workforce,” said Edson Barton, CEO and co-founder of YouScience. “Connecticut educators are doing important work to connect learning to real opportunities, and we’re proud to support them in ensuring every student is ready for what comes next.”
With these newly approved certifications, Connecticut schools now have even more tools to help every student explore, prepare for, and pursue meaningful career pathways, ensuring learners graduate ready for both college and the workforce.
To learn more about YouScience, visit: youscience.com/industry-certifications.
About YouScience
YouScience is the leading education technology company dedicated to empowering individuals with the data and credentials needed to succeed in school, career, and life. Its award-winning platform, Brightpath, is the only College & Career Readiness solution built for both compliance and impact–powered by scientifically backed aptitude discovery, industry-recognized certifications, and meaningful career connections. YouScience has served more than 13,400 educational institutions and millions of users nationwide, making it the preferred choice for individuals, parents, educators, and counselors to achieve real outcomes through education and career pathways.
Media Contact: Lindsay Hull
Zer0 to 5ive for YouScience
lindsay@0to5.com.