1. Credentialing Virginia’s Workforce
Randall Stamper Asst. Vice Chancellor, Career Pathways & Workforce Programs Dr. Lori Dwyer Asst. Vice Chancellor, Workforce Policy

2. Agenda Virginia’s Commitment to Credentialing What Credentials?
FastForward
History
Legislation
How it Works (duties, process, funding)
Outcomes to Date
Challenges
What’s Next?
Q & A

3. Complete 2021: VCCS Strategic Plan
Virginia’s Community Colleges will lead the Commonwealth in the education of its people by
tripling the number of credentials awarded
for economic vitality and individual prosperity.

4. 450,000 by 2025 – most credentialed state in country
Governor’s Goal – EO23
50,000 additional credentials in STEM-H disciplines by the end of the administration.
450,000 by 2025 – most credentialed state in country

5. Credentials: Defined
A credential is a verification of qualification or competence issued to an individual by a third party with the relevant authority or jurisdiction to issue such credentials (such as an accredited educational institution, an industry-recognized association, or an occupational association or professional society)
– U.S. Department of Labor

6. Complete 2021: Measures
Degrees, diplomas, and certificates issued by our colleges and the universities to which our students transfer
Workforce Credentials: Industry certifications, licenses, and apprenticeships

7. Parameters: Workforce Credentials
Industry-recognized: Credentials shall include technical and occupational skills identified as necessary for performing functions of an occupation based on standards developed or endorsed by employers.
Portable: Credentials shall be recognized by multiple employers; educational institutions; and across geographic areas where appropriate.
Credentials shall be competency-based.
Third Party Validated: Credentials shall have a process for determining their validity and relevance in the workplace, and a process in place for improvement.
Credentials should be reviewed for articulated credit.
Stackable: Where possible, credentials should be part of a career pathways framework and include stackable credentials that lead to a high level industry-recognized credential or a postsecondary degree.

8. Strategies and Programs to Achieve Credentialing: Pre-Legislation
SNAP-ET, POWER, WIOA, Governor’s Talent Solutions, National Governor’s Association, America’s Promise, Department of Labor NEGs, DEI grants– all include credentialing performance measures
Career Coaching for All Populations – Credentials
Credit Articulation for Industry Credentials
Rural Virginia Horseshoe Initiative – training incentives
Outreach, recruitment, promotions
Integrated education and training programs – began credit; shifting to industry credentials with demonstrated demand

9. New Economy Workforce Credential Grant: Abbreviated History

10. New Economy Workforce Credential Grant
  § :15. New Economy Workforce Credential Grant Program; purpose. The New Economy Workforce Credential Grant Program is established for the purpose of (i) creating and sustaining a demand-driven supply of credentialed workers for high-demand occupations in the Commonwealth by addressing and closing the gap between the skills needed by workers in the Commonwealth and the skills of the available workforce in the Commonwealth; (ii) expanding the affordability of workforce training and credentialing; and (iii) increasing the interest of current and future Virginia workers in technician, technologist, and trade-level positions to fill the available and emerging jobs in the Commonwealth that require less than a bachelor's degree but more than a high school diploma.

11. How it Works
Requirements
Cap of $3,000 per credential
Permits student to use financial aid to cover their portion (the first third)
Requires domicile
Student must satisfactorily pass the course within a window of time or will be responsible to repay 2nd ‘third’ to the college (promissory note)
A validated credential (passing the exam) must be achieved within a prescribed time period
1 - The eligible student pays 1/3 of the cost of the noncredit workforce training program
2 – When student completes workforce training program, college receives additional 1/3
3 – When student receives industry-recognized credential, college receives final 1/3

12. How it Works – cont’d Roles:
State Council of Higher Education – administer, evaluate, and report on program; transfer funds
Virginia Board of Workforce – identify and recommend high-demand fields
State Board of Community Colleges – determine and approve training programs
Funding:
FY17 – $5.0 million (up from $4 million in original budget); new state general funds; pay for performance
FY18 – $7.5 million (down from $8.5 million in original budget); new state general funds; pay for performance
FY17 and 18 – $5.3 million; capacity building grants; existing state and federal funds repurposed; competitive; develop/expand programs
Annually – $2 million; state general fund; financial aid for noncredit (ongoing)

13. FastForward Credentials
DSLCC
Skilled Trades
Pipefitting - Level 2
National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER)
Pipefitting - Level 3
Pipefitting - Level 4
Welding & Manufacturing
Flux Core Arc Welding (FCAW)
American Welding Society (AWS)
Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW)
Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW)
Manufacturing Technician 1 (MT1)
Virginia Manufacturers Association
Millwright - Level 1
Millwright - Level 2
Millwright - Level 3
Millwright - Level 4
Millwright - Level 5
Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW)
ESCC
Information Technology
CompTIA A+
CompTIA
CompTIA Security +
Logistics & Transportation
Commercial Driver's License Class A Endorsement
Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles
CompTIA Network+
GCC
Commercial Driver's License
VDOT Asphalt Field Level 1
Virginia Department of Transportation
VDOT Asphalt Plant Level 1
Core-Introductory Craft Skills
LFCC
Education
Google Certified Educator - Level I
Google
Google Certified Educator - Level II
Teacher License
Virginia Department of Education
Health Care
Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA)
National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
TNCC
Skilled Trades
Electrical - Level 1
National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER)
Electrical - Level 2
Welding & Manufacturing
Certified Welder
American Welding Society (AWS)
Flux Core Arc Welding (FCAW)
Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW)
Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW)
Manufacturing Specialist (MS)
Virginia Manufacturers Association
Manufacturing Technician 1 (MT1)
Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW)
VHCC
Health Care
Pharmacy Technician
Virginia Board of Pharmacy
Phlebotomy Technician
American Society for Clinical Pathologists (ASCP)
Logistics & Transportation
Commercial Driver's License Class A endorsement
Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles
Siemens Mechatronic Systems Certification Program Level 1
Siemens
Six Sigma Green Belt
American Society for Quality
Six Sigma Yellow Belt
VWCC
Business & Customer Service
Project Management Professional (PMP)
Project Management Institute
Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS)
National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA)
Certified Nurse Aide
Virginia Board of Nursing
Medication Aide
Commercial Driver's License
Certified Production Technician
Manufacturing Skills Standards Council (MSSC)
PHCC
Health Care
Phlebotomy Technician
National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
Information Technology
CISCO Certified Entry Networking Technician (CCENT)
CISCO
CISCO Certified Network Associate
Logistics & Transportation
Commercial Driver's License
Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles
Work Zone Flagger
Virginia Department of Transportation
Welding & Manufacturing
Certified Production Technician
Manufacturing Skills Standards Council (MSSC)
Siemens Automation Fundamentals Certificate
Siemens
Siemens Mechatronic Systems Certification Program Level 1
PVCC
Business & Customer Service
Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)
Project Management Institute
Project Management Professional (PMP)
Certified Nurse Aide
Virginia Board of Nursing
Clinical Medical Assistant
2-Stroke Engine Repair Certification
Equipment and Engine Training Council (EETC)
4-Stroke Engine Repair Certification
Driveline/Hydraulics Certification
Electrical Systems Certification
Skilled Trades
Electrical - Level 1
National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER)
HVAC - Level 1
Certified Welder
American Welding Society (AWS)
Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW)
RCC
Data Cabling Installer
Electronic Technicians Association
Fiber Optic Installer
Flux Core Arc Welding (FCAW)
Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW)
Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW)
Manufacturing Technician 1 (MT1)
Virginia Manufacturers Association
SVCC
Certified Massage Therapist
Medication Aide
American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians (ASPT)

14. Performance Outcomes To Date
Outcomes (as of 7/1/16 to 10/4/17):
7,819 Enrollments
95% Training Completions
Approximately 65% Credential Attainments*
Additional Data Coming Soon:
Wage Data (pre/post)
Evaluation of Social Service Dependency
* Due to time required to complete exams after training completion, additional attainments are anticipated.

15. Who are the Students? 20% receive SNAP/TANF Benefits 66% Male
Most enrollments – CDL, CNA, Trades, Manufacturing
Class completion rates remain very high
Credentialing rates around 65% – working groups addressing new strategies (testing facilities; transportation; college-based proctors)

16. Challenges
Identifying workforce credentials that matter to business and industry, regionally
Increasing individual and business knowledge of and demand for workforce credentials
Identifying and removing barriers to workforce credential completion and stacking
Improving college research and proposal of credentials for funding
Gathering data on workforce credentials awarded to our students

17. What’s Next? Credentialing rates across programs
Statewide outreach and recruitment – students
Business demand research and recommendations
Full-time FastForward Career Coaches – completion, credentialing, employment, retention
Integration of soft skills (curricula, coaching, assessment, satisfaction survey)

18. Questions? Randall Stamper Dr. Lori Dwyer

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