Honoring those making an impact in CTE and the NC3 network

NC3 Start Award

As we reflect on another year of innovation, collaboration, and growth, it’s clear the strength of the NC3 Network lies in the dedication of our schools and their unwavering commitment to student success. 

NC3 is proud to celebrate the recipients of the 2024 Annual NC3 Institutional Awards!

These NC3 institutions are transforming lives, equipping students with industry-recognized skills, and driving economic impact in their communities. To conclude 2024, NC3 proudly recognizes its top-performing schools with annual awards. We are proud to present Mech-Tech College, WSU Tech, Gateway Technical College, Odessa College, and West-Mec for their outstanding achievements within the NC3 Network.

The 2024 START Award is awarded to West-MEC in recognition of being one of the top high schools in the NC3 Network to develop and implement industry partnerships, drive innovation and empower student development.

West-MEC in Glendale, Arizona, has been a trailblazer in Career and Technical Education (CTE). They are leading the way in NC3 certification integration at the secondary level in Automotive, Advanced Manufacturing, Building Trades, STEM, and Welding. During the 2024 NC3 Annual Leadership Summit, West-MEC instructor Frank Quinn was honored with NC3’s prestigious Founder’s Award for his dedication to expanding NC3’s impact in secondary schools nationwide. His expertise in the trades and commitment to student success exemplifies the leadership and innovation that define NC3’s mission. Through its continued investment in cutting-edge certifications and hands-on training, West-MEC remains a national leader in CTE, empowering students with real-world skills for the jobs of the future.

NC3 is also honored to be celebrating four certification race awards to schools that issued the most industry-recognized certifications to their students across the 2,100+ schools in the NC3 Network in 2024.

Dennis Iudice Memorial Awards

Mech-Tech College in Caguas, Puerto Rico, earned the 2024 Enterprise Award as the #1 top-performing school in the NC3 Network, issuing an impressive 5,194 NC3 certifications. Mech-Tech has been the recipient of the Enterprise Award for 8 years showcasing its dedication to technical education across all career pathways and technical programs. 

Boasting 4,828, 3,761, and 3,507 issued certifications respectively, the Dennis Iudice Memorial Awards are presented to three schools that issued the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th highest number of industry-recognized certifications among all schools in the NC3 Network. Named in memory of founding NC3 Master Instructor Dennis Iudice, this year’s awards honor institutions that exemplify excellence in skills certification training. The 2024 recipients—WSU Tech, Gateway Technical College, and Odessa College—are recognized for going above and beyond in their contributions to career and technical education. These institutions have demonstrated true leadership and commitment to advancing workforce readiness.

WSU Tech in Wichita, Kansas is a powerhouse in career and technical education, consistently ranking among NC3’s top-performing schools. As a national NC3 Train-the-Trainer site for instructor professional development, WSU Tech exemplifies innovation and leadership in workforce training. The institution serves as a model of excellence by integrating industry-recognized certifications across numerous programs, ensuring students are prepared for high-demand careers.

Gateway Technical College in Kenosha, Wisconsin, is NC3’s founding school and a consistent top performer within the NC3 network. With a strong legacy of cultivating local and regional industry partnerships, pioneering successful dual enrollment programs, and advancing CTE pathways, Gateway exemplifies excellence in workforce development. Their commitment to certification implementation and optimization continues to make a lasting impact on students and the broader community.

Odessa College in Odessa, Texas, is a proud first-time recipient of the Dennis Iudice Memorial Award, recognized for its unwavering commitment to student success through high-quality career and technical education. The college has rapidly expanded its CTE programs and NC3 industry-recognized certification offerings, ensuring students gain the skills needed to thrive in today’s workforce. By aligning its programs with the evolving needs of students, the local community, and industry partners, Odessa College continues to make a lasting impact on workforce development in the region.

Congratulations to these incredibly high-achieving institutions! You are global leaders in career and technical education!

NC3 Celebratory Video

To learn more about the NC3 Membership Network, please visit NC3.net. You can also follow NC3 on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube to stay connected throughout the year.

About NC3

NC3 was established to help build a workforce prepared to meet the needs of today’s and tomorrow’s industries by connecting employers and educational institutions in synergistic partnerships that foster effective training, elevation of skilled careers, and employment opportunities. In fulfilling its mission, NC3 builds deep industry-educational partnerships and develops, implements and sustains industry-recognized portable certifications and digital badges built on national skills standards. We envision an industrial labor market where all workers have the jobs they need to thrive and all companies have the well-trained employees they need to operate and grow. Learn more at www.nc3.net.