Frankfort, IL; 15 May 2025 — The Global Seal of Biliteracy, an international language certification program recognizing bilingualism and biliteracy in individuals of any age, has issued its 50,000th credential in partnership with Northwest Career and Technical Academy. This milestone underscores the growing demand for verified language skills in today’s workforce.
Milestone Achievement Reflects Workforce Demand
At Northwest Career and Technical Academy (NWCTA) in Las Vegas, Nevada—a public magnet high school serving 1,850 students across Biomedicine, Culinary Arts, and Engineering programs—16 seniors recently earned the Global Seal, marking the program’s 50,000th certification. Their success highlights how schools link language proficiency with real-world, career-ready skills.
Program Overview and Recognition
Founded by Avant, the Global Seal of Biliteracy—recently named a PIEoneer of the Year 2025 finalist—offers free, portable credentials in over 150 languages. With certified recipients in 64 countries, the Seal features three stackable levels—Functional Fluency, Working Fluency, and Professional Fluency—enabling learners of all ages to demonstrate verified proficiency across diverse contexts.
Linking Language Skills to Safety and Career Advantages
In sectors such as manufacturing, construction, and healthcare—common career pathways for NWCTA graduates—language barriers contribute to 25 percent of job-related accidents, per OSHA mandates. Verified bilingualism not only affirms cultural identity but also ensures safety training is understood, giving credential holders a clear advantage in service industries like hospitality and healthcare.
“Being able to communicate in multiple languages gives our students a distinct advantage, especially in service industries like hospitality and healthcare,”
— Principal Laura Willis
Rising Employer Demand and Rewards
According to the WorldMetrics 2024 Market Data Report, 60 percent of U.S. employers prefer bilingual candidates, with demand for multilingual talent more than doubling over five years. Bilingual professionals can command up to a 35 percent increase in job opportunities—and federal agencies such as the Department of Defense may offer salary bonuses of up to 5 percent for language-proficient employees.
Closing Equity Gaps Through CTE Integration
By certifying heritage speakers, English learners, college-bound students, and adult learners alike, the Global Seal bridges academic achievement and employability. “Every certificate we issue represents more than a test result—it’s a message to learners that their language skills are valuable and can be used in the workplace,” says Executive Director Linda Egnatz.
Invitation to Recognize Multilingual Talent
The Global Seal of Biliteracy invites schools, employers, and institutions worldwide to recognize and reward multilingual talents that strengthen communities, promote safety, and enable economic growth.
About the Global Seal of Biliteracy
The Global Seal of Biliteracy, founded by Avant, provides free, internationally recognized language certifications in over 150 languages. Its three certification levels—Functional Fluency, Working Fluency, and Professional Fluency—allow individuals to demonstrate language proficiency across educational and professional settings. Global Seal credentials are stackable, digitally shareable, and accepted by institutions and employers worldwide.
