National Industry Certification for Educators

In order to ensure that students gain the education and experience they need to be college and career-ready, it is essential that educators have access to the curriculum, professional development and resources they need, including the latest hardware, software and other technologies.

National Industry Certification for Educators (NICE) is designed to ensure that New York City students graduate with the skills necessary to find successful careers in this new and growing sector of the economy. NICE aims to ensure that educators have the training and school communities have the support they need to deliver high-quality instruction so that students gain the education and experience they need to be college and career-ready.

There will be a NICE orientation on Monday, Jan. 11, 2016. Stay tuned for more details!

See the NICE implementation plan »

Find out about discounted LearnKey online professional development courses »

Apply to be a NICE school for the 2016–17 school year 

Participation in NICE will allow schools to:

• Provide educators with opportunities to improve and master new skill sets with industry certifications and industry-endorsed credentials.
• Collaborate with career and technical education industry partners on curriculum development, improved blended learning models, teacher training and standards focused project-based learning.
• Use industry-developed online resources to support classroom instruction.
• Expand the capacity of UFT Teacher Centers in New York City schools with career and technical education programs.
• Provide middle and high school educators with the training, resources and support to help them gain the knowledge and credentials necessary to train their students so they are prepared for today’s — and tomorrow’s — workforce needs in the high-tech industry.

Schools that participate in the NICE school pilot will receive the following:

• Train-the–trainer – Up to two staff members from your school who hold industry credentials and/or certifications will learn how to best deliver knowledge to colleagues and students.
• Qualified staff at each school will have the opportunity to enroll in industry certification courses.
• 60 percent of the cost of each course will be subsidized by the NICE program (For example, Excel 2013, which retails for $225, would cost NICE participants $90.)
• Schools will have the opportunity to work directly with NICE industry partners to support their selected training opportunities and develop plans for future collaborations.

Apply to the NICE initiative »

Schools may apply to the NICE initiative by submitting applications to the NICE Advisory Committee by Jan. 30, 2016 via the online application, which will open in early December. All applications must be submitted via the online platform; digital copies of the application will not be accepted via email.

Applications will be screened by the NICE Advisory Committee (comprised of representatives from UFT, DoE, Higher Education, CSA, Business and Industry professionals, and other stakeholders) for evidence that the school has:

• A history of collaboration with the UFT, industry professionals, educational institutions (i.e. higher education, and other stakeholders).
• A history of integrating technology in ways that support student growth.
• A strong structure for professional learning.
• Staff capacity for engagement with the program and strong interest in the NICE initiative.
• A physical facility that is aligned industry technology standards.

All applicants must have the joint approval of the principal and UFT chapter leader in order to submit an application to join NICE.