Short-term Credentials Continue to Grab Attention of State Lawmakers
By Stephanie M. Murphy, Ph.D.
HCM Strategists’ recent research brief, A Typology and Policy Landscape Analysis of State Investments in Short-term Credential Pathways, highlighted actions states are taking to quickly expand short-term credentials to meet economic demands. The momentum has continued in current state legislative sessions as policymakers advanced bills that potentially could further shape the landscape of workforce aligned opportunities for students. A few notable bills from four vastly different states are highlighted below – having either been passed or are still alive in the legislative process.
COLORADO
Colorado House Bill 23-1246 introduces two key initiatives aimed at supporting students pursuing short-term credentials in high-demand industries. The first initiative, In-demand Short-term Credentials Program, offers funding to eligible institutions for tuition, fees, books, and material supplies for students pursuing short-term credentials in a range of fields, including early childhood education, law enforcement, firefighting, forestry, construction, and nursing. These areas are specifically noted as they align to immediate job opportunities and needs across the state. The second initiative, Construction Registered Apprenticeship Grant Program, provides grants for apprenticeship programs in the construction trades. The grant funding covers the full costs of training to students. With bipartisan sponsorship and support, the bill was sent to Governor Jared Polis who signed it into law on May 16.
TEXAS
On June 9, Governor Greg Abbott (Texas) signed a bipartisan bill, House Bill 8, that will make significant changes to the overall community college funding model. Notably, the revised model will, for the first time, incorporate substantial funding for student outcomes as well as short-term programs. This marks a departure from the traditional funding formula, which has historically been linked to seat time and enrollment. The new model will also consider regional workforce demands and incent community colleges to establish and strengthen a "robust pipeline" for regional employers.
MINNESOTA
Encompassing a set of postsecondary changes, Minnesota, House File 1126 contains a provision to expand the state’s postsecondary attainment goal to include workforce training credentials that are industry recognized. The bill passed both the House and the Senate.
NEW YORK
On the student financial aid front, Assembly Bill A1185 was introduced in the New York Senate to authorize tuition assistance for students enrolled in short-term credential programs. This bill defines short-term credentials as programs that can be completed between six to eight weeks and are aligned to high-skill, high wage or in-demand occupations that result in an employer-recognized credential. A version of this bill also was introduced in the 2022 legislative session.
It is worth noting that this highlighted legislation represents a sample of those introduced across states and is by no means an exhaustive list. As of June 2023, our research has identified 59 direct, sustained programs in 28 states, with nearly $4 Billion in state funding.
The information presented in our typology reflects the best available data we could find through our research. It is important to note that given the lack of consistent and comprehensive data systems to track short-term credential programs at the state level, we acknowledge that we may have missed some state-funded initiatives. We invite readers to contact Stephanie Murphy at stephanie_murphy@hcmstrategists.com to report any additional initiatives that may not have been captured in this study.
