Overview

In 2022, more than four million students — or about 40 percent of all community college students — attended noncredit workforce training programs. Federal interest in expanding these programs and extending Pell Grants to their attendees has grown, as policymakers seek ways to prepare individuals for employment in high-demand industries. However, little is known about the educational and labor market value of noncredit workforce training programs and about whether completers pursue additional credentials or degrees.

Practitioners and policymakers need evidence on which types of noncredit workforce training programs and support services lead to positive labor market outcomes and how to implement effective noncredit programs to meet learners’ educational and career goals. This project will begin to fill that gap with research on promising practices to strengthen the support and guidance that students receive in noncredit workforce training programs and on how those practices impact students’ experiences and outcomes.

MDRC will partner with states and colleges in a demonstration project to systematically analyze their noncredit workforce training programs and support services, better understand students’ experiences and outcomes, and diagnose the programs’ strengths and weaknesses. The project will test the effectiveness of approaches such as offering enhanced coaching or support services at improving students’ outcomes, including whether they transfer into credit-bearing certificate and degree programs, attain additional noncredit credentials, and achieve success in the labor market.