National Technical Honor Society

For over 30 years, the National Technical Honor Society has been the acknowledged leader in the recognition of outstanding student achievement in career and technical education. NTHS strives to bring well deserved recognition, scholarship opportunities, and career opportunities to students who excel in one of the 108 career and technical educational fields as their profession. Not only do NTHS students embody all the attributes and talent which is in demand today, these students also embrace a clear vision for tomorrow’s workforce and their role in it. NTHS understands changes in industry within local communities and on a global scale.

The National Technical Honor Society's mission is to honor student achievement and leadership, promote educational excellence, award scholarships, and enhance career opportunities. NTHS serves over 200,000 student members annually. In 2014, NTHS will award over $160,000 in scholarships to career and technical education students. NTHS honors the achievements of top CTE students, provides scholarships to encourage the pursuit of higher education, and cultivates excellence in today’s highly competitive, skilled workforce.

ETA International has teamed up with the National Technical Honor Society to aid in their efforts to promote educational excellence and higher standards for career and technical education. ETA now offers special recognition for NTHS members who receive the ETA Customer Service Specialist certification and has its own ETA NTHS chapter.

ETA International and the National Technical Honor Society (NTHS) have partnered to offer the Customer Service Specialist (CSS) Certification to all NTHS members. The certification is an industry endorsed, workforce readiness program designed for professionals in any industry that uses soft skills.

Through this partnership, NTHS schools and colleges now have access to an extraordinary instructional opportunity relevant to students, instructors, industry professionals, employers, and employees. Students learn how they can positively impact individuals both inside and outside the business.

Workforce readiness is fast becoming one of the most valuable skills needed in today's highly competitive workplace. CSS-certified professionals know how to use their skills to reduce service-related disputes and miscommunication with the organization. They increase their value to the company, gain confidence in themselves, respect from their peers, and, most importantly, they generate repeat business from happy, satisfied customers. HR professionals understand the critical relationship between customer-focused employees and the company's bottom line. They look for and waste no time moving CSS-certified applicants to the head of the line.

The program integrates seamlessly into any career or technical field of study, is easily administered, and requires only 10-15 hours of instruction.

• NTHS members, who pass the CSS certification, will receive a certificate with both the ETA logo and NTHS logo, along with a wallet card and other ETA materials.

ETA now serves as an honorary chapter for individuals and schools who do not have an NTHS chapter. Individuals who meet the criteria can be nominated to join the National Technical Honor Society. The ETA NTHS recognition program is designed to give recognition to people who achieve excellence in the pursuit of technical education and training in the electronics or telecommunications career area.

A person must have demonstrated a degree of academic excellence in one of four (4) ways:

1. Completed at least 12 semester hours in electronics or telecommunications in a 12-month period while maintaining a 3.8 GPA on a 4.0 system, or its equivalent. The 12 semester hours must have been earned in at least three separate courses.
2. Completed 240 contact hours in electronics or telecommunications within a 12 month period while maintaining a 90% average. The 240 contact hours must represent at least three separate courses.
3. Completed four (4) separate ETA certifications with a 90% average within a 12-month period.
4. High school students must be enrolled in a technology program that can result in an ETA certification. They must have completed one (1) year in the program while maintaining a 3.5 overall average, and a 3.7 average in the technical program.

The candidate must demonstrate leadership either through academic accomplishments, technological innovation or community involvement.

The candidate for membership into the NTHS must complete and sign an NTHS application form and an ETA Honor Society information form, and be recommended by either the instructor or resident ETA Certification Administrator (CA), with the ETA NTHS advisor’s endorsement.

The instructor or resident CA will nominate deserving students. After the student has filled out and signed the application and information sheet, the instructor or resident CA will attach all required documents, sign the application, and make a short recommendation endorsement.

Upon receipt of the application, the ETA advisor will check the application for completeness and eligibility. The Advisor will record receipt of the application, check it for completeness and eligibility, and take one of two actions:

1. If it is found that the application is complete and that the applicant is eligible, the Advisor will concur with the application, sign it, and forward it to the NTHS for action.
2. If it is found that the application is either incomplete or that the applicant is not eligible, the Advisor will give a nonoccurrence, sign the application, and return it with an explanation to the recommending official.

Upon receipt of all materials and approval from the National Technical Honor Society, a recognition package will be sent to the nominating official for presentation. That official will then arrange for a suitable presentation.