Noncredit Research Collaborative
the authors argue that states and colleges lack critical data on whether learners actually earn many nondegree certifications and licenses because credential attainment is often held by third-party issuers rather than education providers or state agencies. They describe the CredLens initiative as a national data trust designed to securely connect credential attainment, education, and employment data, enabling policymakers and institutions to better evaluate program quality, student outcomes, and the labor market value of nondegree credentials.