‘Stackable credentials’ could be future of higher education in Colorado

DENVER — Metropolitan State College of Denver is considered one of Colorado’s largest four-year establishments, however some college students are spending simply months there — not years — earlier than becoming a member of the workforce.

They’re doing it by “stacking” credentials.

“Stackable credentials are actually a convergence of people desirous to study in smaller chunks and industries being prepared to just accept these chunks,” mentioned Terry Bower, affiliate vp of Progressive and Lifelong Studying at MSU Denver.

Bower and others are pushing again on the concept increased training has to imply a four-year diploma. It doesn’t even should imply a two-year diploma.

As an alternative, MSU Denver has created a mannequin permitting college students to earn a credential that may land them a job or they’ll preserve stacking extra credentials on prime.

“We need to provide help to take that first step in your training, and for those who determine you’ve sufficient, we’re going to inform you how a lot cash you can also make primarily based on Colorado Division of Labor data and go get a job,” Bower mentioned.

MSU Denver has created the profession launchpad with the assistance of Colorado companies. There are stackable credential packages for prime demand industries like well being care, cybersecurity and house flight.

The profession launchpad lays out precisely what steps are wanted to work in these industries and the way a lot cash an individual can earn with totally different credentials.

For college kids who determine they need to add extra credentials or work towards a level, they’ll return to MSU with no credit misplaced.

State Sen. Rachel Zenzinger desires different faculties to develop related packages. She’s co-sponsoring SB22-192, directing the state increased training division to provide you with stackable credential pathways for at the least three rising industries by 2024 and two extra by 2025.

“We wish [students] to have the ability to are available in, get a credential that helps them upskill or re-skill or transfer up on their profession ladder, and we wish it to be in alignment in order that they don’t seem to be losing their time,” Zenzinger mentioned.

Each Bower and Zenzinger agreed increased training wants extra “on-ramps” and “off-ramps” the place college students have methods to maneuver between the job market and school and proceed lifelong studying.

“Whether or not they need to get a PhD for philosophy or they only need to study some EDI [Equity/Diversity/Inclusion] for his or her job, I simply need them in increased ed, getting smarter, gaining data and studying no matter it’s they need to study,” Bower mentioned.