In the Media
Noncredit Research Collaborators in the News
Inside Higher Ed
July 27, 2026
The article examines how states are taking varied approaches to implementing the new Workforce Pell program, with many moving cautiously as they build approval processes, collect data, and determine which short-term workforce programs meet federal quality standards. Michelle Van Noy said many states are treating the rollout as a gradual learning process, prioritizing thoughtful implementation to maximize benefits for workers, employers, and regional economies.
Inside Higher Ed
May 28, 2026
The U.S. Department of Education estimates that nearly 184,000 students could receive Workforce Pell Grants by 2027–28, though implementation is expected to be gradual as states establish new approval processes and eligible programs. Michelle Van Noy and Mark D’Amico said the rollout will take time but emphasized that the new funding presents an important opportunity for states to strengthen workforce education systems.
WorkShift
December 18, 2025
Paul Fain and Elyse Ashburn argue that labor market outcomes increasingly depend on access to education and skills, with some workers benefiting from new training pathways while others are left behind as job quality and mobility diverge. Mark Damico is cited noting that aligning noncredit programs with credit-bearing pathways remains uncommon, highlighting a key structural barrier to expanding opportunity through workforce education.
Thomas B. Fordham Institute
December 11, 2025
Preston Cooper finds that short-term noncredit workforce programs lead to modest average earnings gains, but outcomes vary dramatically by field—mirroring the importance of college majors. Drawing on research by Peter Riley Bahr and Rooney Columbus, the article emphasizes that while these programs can boost wages, their value “depends on your field of study,” with some fields producing strong returns and others little to none.
US Department of Education
December 9, 2025
Workforce Pell Committee
Session 1, Day 2, Morning
December 9, 2025
The document highlights that short-term, noncredit community college programs can lead to modest earnings gains and improved employment outcomes, though results vary widely by field, program length, and student characteristics. As Peter Riley Bahr notes, more research is needed to understand how well training aligns with labor market demand, emphasizing that these variations significantly shape wage outcomes.
American Enterprise Institute
December 1, 2025
Preston Cooper explains that short-term workforce education programs can increase earnings overall, but the economic returns vary significantly depending on the field of study—much like college majors—making program choice critical for students and policymakers. A study by Peter Riley Bahr emphasizes this variation, noting that while these programs can boost wages, “the returns…depend on your field of study,” highlighting that not all programs lead to strong economic outcomes.
Inside Higher Ed
December 2025
This report by Ben Upton, takes an in-depth look at One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which is a major overhaul of federal higher education policy, with implementation now focused on accountability, student loan reform, and the expansion of Workforce Pell. While experts, including Mark D’Amico, differ on specific provisions, there is shared agreement on improving student outcomes, limiting excessive debt, and ensuring high-quality workforce training, even as concerns remain about timelines and implementation capacity.
The Chronical of Higher Education
November 26, 2025
Claire Murphy examines the new law that will soon make thousands of people in short-term, job-focused programs will eligible to use federal grants, which could significantly reshape how low-income students access higher education and choose credentials. Mark D’Amico explains that for low-income students to truly benefit, short-term, noncredit programs must be intentionally designed as stackable pathways that connect to longer-term credentials.
Inside HigherEd
November 20, 2025
Community college noncredit workforce programs are associated with modest earnings gains for students, reinforcing their value as a short-term pathway to improved labor market outcomes, according to Sara Weissman. As Peter Riley Bahr explains, the benefits are uneven, emphasizing that earnings gains can be meaningful but vary significantly depending on the field and program.
The University Network
November 18, 2025
Community college noncredit workforce programs are associated with modest earnings gains for students, reinforcing their value as a short-term pathway to improved labor market outcomes, according to Sara Weissman. As Peter Riley Bahr explains, the benefits are uneven, emphasizing that earnings gains can be meaningful but vary significantly depending on the field and program.
American Educational Research Association
November 18, 2025
EdSource
November 18, 2025
Diana Lambert explains that community college noncredit training programs lead to modest earnings gains and improved employment outcomes, though results vary widely by program length and field of study. As Peter Riley Bahr notes, “whether noncredit occupational training pays off for students has been an open question,” but the study finds that “earnings gains are quite robust in some fields.”
University Business
November 11, 2025
Alcino Donadel explains that while non-degree credentials have more than tripled in popularity since 2009, data systems and financial support mechanisms have not kept pace with this growth. According to Mark D’Amico, Workforce Pell will push states to better track and evaluate which programs meet federal criteria, expanding the data collected on these credentials.
EducationNC (EdNC)
September 30, 2025
According to Analisa Sorrells Archer, many adult learners are opting for short-term continuing education over full degrees, and community colleges are adapting by expanding non-degree credentials, aligning with industry needs and changing funding models. Mark D’Amico emphasizes these new funding opportunities should be used to create seamless pathways so students can build on short-term training toward further credentials without starting over.
Inside HigherEd
August 28, 2025
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act expands Pell Grant eligibility to short-term, workforce-aligned programs, many states are not yet prepared to track and verify data on non-credit programs to determine eligibility for “workforce Pell” funding.
Spotlight on Poverty and Opportunity
August 27, 2025
The article discusses how Workforce Pell could expand access to short-term job training and improve economic mobility for low-income learners, while also highlighting significant implementation challenges around program quality, accountability, and state data capacity. Mark D’Amico emphasizes that many states are not yet fully prepared to verify program eligibility and outcomes, making data systems and infrastructure a key barrier to successful rollout.
WorkShift
May 1, 2024
This article by Work Shift highlights EERC’s recent findings about the impact of non-degree credentials on a state and national level.
February 27,2024
IES highlights Di Xu and her colleagues work on Virginia’s “FastForward” noncredit CTE programs provide a vital, low-barrier pathway for underrepresented students to gain high-demand industry credentials. Their findings indicate that these short-term programs lead to significant completion rates and immediate boosts in quarterly earnings, offering an effective alternative to traditional credit-bearing degrees for workforce development.
Lumina Foundation
October 23, 2023
This blog post from Lumina Foundation features survey data from the EERC about the quality of noncredit education and how it can be improved.
October 17, 2023
An article from Inside HigherEd discusses the EERC reports from 2023 that highlighted the positive and negative trends of noncredit education in various community colleges across the country.
Podcasts
Noncredit Workforce Education
Podcast: Spotlight on Community Colleges
Release Date: March 18. 2026
Hear Mark D’Amico, Molly Dodge and Andrew Gardner talk about what about noncredit occupational training in community colleges. Colleagues in the colleges share about where they are putting their noncredit occupational training efforts, the challenges and the opportunities and the proposed impact of Workforce Pell.
Continuing Education, Higher Education and the Future of Education
Listen to Peter Bahr’s conversation with Meni Sarris about his research and how the overlap of serving our communities and higher education has become critical as the needs of our students change.
Hopeful and Troubling Trends in Noncredit Ed
Listen to Michelle Van Noy‘s conversation with Clayton Lord of the SHRM Foundation and Jason Tyszko of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation about non-degree credentials and skills-based hiring.
An Introduction to Non-Degree Credentials of Value and Quality Career Pathways
Host Marc Goldberg interviewed Michelle Van Noy about the research led at EERC on the quality non-degree credentials ecosystem and growing interest and investments by states and institutions.