Speed, Value, and Economic Mobility - How Community Colleges Are Developing Short-Term, High-Value Credentials that Lead to Good Jobs and Careers

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Callum

Speed, Value, and Economic Mobility examines how CAEL member community colleges develop non-degree credentials (SVEs) that can be completed in a year or less, lead to good-paying jobs in high-demand industries, and stack toward higher degrees. Across ten distinct local contexts, the report highlights shared approaches: using regional economic drivers and labor market intelligence, collaborating with employers on program design, and enabling seamless credential stacking via prior learning credit and bridging pathways. It also emphasizes equity-centered practices and the need for stronger employment-outcome data to assess impact.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages31

Reading Time1 h 18 min

AccessFree to download

Executive Summary

Introduction

Background

The Role of Regional Economic Drivers

Acquiring Labor Market Data and Intelligence

Engaging Employers on Program Design and Development

Challenge of Meeting Market Demand

Seamless Stacking of Learning and Credentials

Stackable Credentials

CPL to Support On-Ramps and Bridging Noncredit and For-Credit Programs

Equity-Centered Practices

A Challenge for All: Employment Outcome Data

Recommendations for SVE Development

Conclusion

References

Appendix: Method and Data Collection

MARCH 2023 LANA MUNIP & REBECCA KLEIN - COLLINS Speed, Value, and Economic MobilityHow Community Colleges Are DevelopingShort-term, High-Value Credentials thatLead to Good Jobs and Careers cael.org Recognizing that adult learners are the backbone of the U.S. economy, CAEL helps forge a clear, viable connection between education and careersuccess, providing solutions that promote sustainable and equitable economic growth. CAEL opens doors to opportunity in collaboration withworkforce and economic developers; postsecondary educators; employers and industry groups; and foundations and other mission-alignedorganizations. By engaging with these stakeholders, we foster a culture of innovative, lifelong learning that helps individuals and their communitiesthrive. A national membership organization established in 1974, CAEL is a part of Strada Collaborative, a mission-driven nonprofit. Learn more atcael.org and stradacollaborative.org. © 2023 CAEL. All rights reserved. (004-23) 04/23 CONTENTS Executive Summary 1 Introduction 4 Background 7 The Role of Regional Economic Drivers 9 Acquiring Labor Market Data and Intelligence 10 Engaging Employers on Program Design and Development 12 Challenge of Meeting Market Demand 14 Seamless Stacking of Learning and Credentials 16 Stackable Credentials 16 CPL to Support On-Ramps and Bridging Noncredit and For-Credit Programs 18 Equity-Centered Practices 20 A Challenge for All: Employment Outcome Data 23 Recommendations for SVE Development 25 Conclusion 27 References 28 Appendix: Method and Data Collection 30 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The authors thank the Non-degree Credential Research Network (NCRN) and Strada EducationFoundation for providing funding for this report, and to the college representatives whoshared their perspectives and practices: Danielle Carnes, Edmonds College; Alicia Dickens,Metropolitan Community College; Brad Geer, Northwest State Community College; VaughnAlexander Hendriex, Frederick Community College; Janine Janosky, Richard J. Daley College;Sheridan Nixon, Dallas College; Erin Pfaff-McDonough, Columbus State Community College;Lorenzo Reyes, San Juan College; Nicole Stetson, Community College of Vermont; and AliciaUhde, Bismarck State College, North Dakota’s Polytechnic Institution. Thanks also to GloriaMwase, senior vice president of research, impact, innovation, and learning at CAEL, and AndrewHanson, senior director of research, Strada Education Network, for their advice and feedback. Speed, Value, andEconomic Mobility HOW COMMUNITYCOLLEGES ARE DEVELOPINGSHORT-TERM, HIGH-VALUECREDENTIALS THAT LEAD TOGOOD JOBS AND CAREERS cael.org 1 SVE Credential— Stackability toFormal Degrees # Executive Summary This report explores the experiences often CAEL member community colleges in their effortsto develop quality non-degree credentials that can be completed in in one year or less, lead togood-paying jobs in high-demand industries, and are stackable to a higher degree, allowinglearners to unlock opportunities for even greater economic mobility. Throughout this report,we refer to these credentials as SVEs, for their Speed, Value, and pathways to Economic Mobility (SVEs) . While the ten colleges in this study have vastly different local economies,student populations, and regional labor markets, our analysis found that theirexperiences in developing SVEs shared the following common themes: • The central role of regional economic drivers in program design.Colleges are developing short-term programs to address the specific needs oftheir local employers and industries, and, whenever possible, make changes to programming to quickly meet changes in demand or address unusual conditionsin their local labor markets. Part of the process involves acquiring labor marketdata and intelligence; most colleges engaged in desk analysis of labor market data, and some supplemented this information through close an

FAQs

What are SVEs in this report, and what goals do they target?

SVEs are non-degree credentials designed to be completed in one year or less, connect learners to good-paying jobs in high-demand industries, and support stacking toward higher degrees and greater economic mobility.

How do colleges use regional economic drivers and labor market data to design programs?

Colleges develop short-term programs aligned to local employer and industry needs, using desk analysis of labor market data and supplementing it with input from industry advisory groups, local associations, and economic development organizations.

Why is employment outcome data described as a challenge, and what does the report recommend?

Employment outcomes are harder to assess even when programs address labor market needs, partly due to data collection limitations. The report calls for continued data collection needs and offers recommendations for SVE development to strengthen assessment of results.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Callum