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ORCID
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2608-8154
Date of Graduation
Spring 2019
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department
Department of Graduate Psychology
Advisor(s)
Deborah Bandalos
Abstract
A new grant program implemented to provide subsidized training costs for students enrolling in short-term noncredit programs aligned with high-demand industry credentials leading to middle-skill jobs was implemented in July 2016. The grant program follows a pay-for-performance model where students are given a two-thirds discount on tuition but required to pay back an additional one-third if they do not successfully complete their short-term noncredit training. An exploratory study was conducted to provide training program completion and credential attainment rates for the overall program and by student demographic groups (age, race, and gender). Results showed little variation among training program completion rates among groups but showed considerable differences among programs and demographic groups for credential attainment rates indicating possible barriers to credential attainment. Supplemental information was collected via a survey sent to career coaches at the community colleges implementing the grant program. Responses indicated a need for additional resources (e.g. transportation vouchers) and support for students during program implementation (e.g. additional classroom resources). Overall, findings indicate a need for further research once additional enrollment data is available and additional collection of qualitative data from the colleges implementing the program to support programmatic improvement aligned with the grant outcomes.
Recommended Citation
Fisher, Rochelle, "The credentialed workforce: Examining success rates across short-term noncredit training programs aligned with industry credentials" (2019). Masters Theses, 2010-2019. 616.
https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/master201019/616
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