Good afternoon!
Welcome to week five of covering the Colorado Student Success and Workforce Revitalization Task Force recommendations! Today we put the spotlight on the fourth recommendation: Develop Stackable Credential/Work-Based Learning Pathways.
Stackable credentials and work-based learning programs have increased in popularity over the years as they are seen as a way to connect the needs of students and workforce opportunities. The Task Force specifically places a call to action for education and industry leaders to create legislation focused on getting students into “high-need, high-demand, high-value fields” including healthcare, technology, and teaching. Credentials in these disciplines should be able to stand on their own, but could also add up to a degree. It is imperative that these alternative pathways are structured in a way that equitably connect students to better employment opportunities and avoids furthering the educational gap among low-income and/or racially marginalized Coloradans.
One of the many ways Colorado is already creating innovative credential pathways is through the introduction of the Fifth Year High School Concurrent Enrollment bill (HB22-1002). This bill makes the current accelerating students through concurrent enrollment ( ASCENT) program more accessible by eliminating the enrollment cap, decreasing the number of credits required for admission, and repealing the requirement of students to repay tuition for incomplete courses. These changes would take away barriers to enter the ASCENT program and encourage more qualified students to participate in dual enrollment courses that can fast track their credential and degree attainment. To see what other workforce-aligned legislation is on the docket this year, follow the Colorado Workforce Development Council's bill tracker.
In last week’s newsletter we talked about the importance of transparent data and how people seeking credentials in Colorado can easily search for them using Credential Engine’s Credential Registry. Focused more on career education and work-based learning information, the Colorado Youth Career Fair can also be a tool to get young students talking about their futures. From starting a “meaningful career conversation” to finding apprenticeship opportunities, the Youth Career Fair can expose students to a variety of career pathways by meeting real people (virtually or in person) working in those fields.
Want to learn more about the Workforce Revitalization and Student Success legislative implementations? Listen to this recent recording of the Colorado Trustee Network’s legislative briefing.
Have a great week,
Alison
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