Project Lead The Way (PLTW), a leading provider of K-12 science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) programs, announced today a partnership with Autodesk and Certiport, a Pearson VUE business, that will expand PLTW teacher and student access to industrial certification in the leading suite of 3D design software programs from Autodesk including Autodesk® 3ds Max®, Autodesk® AutoCAD®, Autodesk® Inventor®, Autodesk® Maya®, and Autodesk® Revit®.
“Project Lead The Way is excited to extend to students and educators in our network this opportunity for industrial certification through an exam that is rigorous, but attainable,” said PLTW Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer Andrea Croslyn. “This partnership – which marks an enhanced relationship between PLTW and Certiport, as well as a continuing relationship between PLTW and Autodesk – enables us to do just that.”
PLTW schools can provide easy certification access to students by becoming a Certiport Authorized Testing Center and administering the Autodesk Certified User (ACU) exams onsite. The computer-based exams last 50 minutes and combine multiple-choice and performance-based questions to ensure students understand and can effectively use Autodesk software.
“PLTW programs already have access to state-of-the-art technology from Autodesk, and now with our partnership they can validate student computer-aided drafting and graphics skills with certification,” said Pearson VUE Vice President of Global Certiport Offering Aaron Osmond. “PLTW will offer all of Certiport’s Autodesk learning products with flexible options ranging from single-exam vouchers to site licensing that allow a school to deliver a high volume of exams at an economical price.”
Through the partnership, PLTW students will have access to Certiport’s ACU offerings at a discounted rate. For more information on student ACU testing through PLTW, refer to the Student Opportunities page on pltw.org.
“For students, attaining industrial certification is a real win,” Croslyn said. “It can help them to obtain internships, secure college admission, and achieve long-term career objectives.”
“Autodesk is deeply committed to helping prepare an industry-ready workforce with the real-world design skills and knowledge that they need to be competitive and successful,” said Matt Pierce, senior manager of North America education programs at Autodesk. “We are proud to work with valued partners like PLTW and Certiport to expand learning and certification opportunities for both educators and students, and to help them achieve academic success and advance their careers.”
PLTW teachers attending the 2014 PLTW Summit – Nov. 2-5, 2014, at the JW Marriott in Indianapolis, Indiana – will benefit from the partnership, as well. Certiport will be onsite to administer all ACU exams during the event. Educators must contact PLTW and register in advance to take the no-cost ACU exam onsite on Sunday, Nov. 2; Monday, Nov. 3; or Tuesday, Nov. 4.
