This report explores the experiences of ten CAEL member community colleges in their efforts to develop quality non-degree credentials that can be completed in in one year or less, lead to good-paying jobs in high-demand industries, and are stackable to a higher degree, allowing learners to unlock opportunities for even greater economic mobility. Throughout this report, we refer to these credentials as SVEs, for their Speed, Value, and pathways to Economic Mobility (SVEs). While the ten colleges in this study have vastly different local economies, student populations, and regional labor markets, our analysis found that their experiences in developing SVEs shared the following common themes:
The report offers a number of recommendations for institutions considering venturing into SVEs in the following categories: