INDIANAPOLIS — Virginia is one of a dozen states now enrolled in an initiative to improve public awareness of non-degree workforce credentials.
The FutureReady States initiative by Lumina Foundation directs states to improve workforce training programs involving certificates, occupational licenses, or apprenticeships.
Kenyatta Lovett, principal of higher education and workforce at the Education Strategy Group, said some students begin a non-degree credential program and continue on to pursue a college degree.
He added that certain credentials can even open a path to a lifelong career.
“There are some that actually, standalone, lead to great outcomes in wages and economic mobility opportunities for learners,” said Lovett. “The time commitment, which is much shorter than a degree pathway, the costs are often much less than what a student would invest in.”
A report by Lumina Foundation finds that 70 initiatives across 32 states spent $5.6 billion on short-term credential initiatives in 2024. That includes Virginia, which spent over $90 million.
Lovett said the new initiative in the commonwealth will work to help provide people with the best information possible on what a non-degree credential could mean for their future.
“They want to make sure that the information available to students,” said Lovett, “is impactful enough for them to make really good choices on the types of non-degree credentials that they should pursue and have good value measures around them. Wage gains. Job placement rates.
Lumina Foundation intends to invest more than $2 million for the initial phase of the initiative.
Support for this reporting was provided by Lumina Foundation.
