A recent higher ed article (link) has indicated that apprenticeship opportunities could provide a key method of reducing the worker shortage experienced by many industries. Apprenticeships, along with other alternative career pathways such as academic Certificates, non-credit credentialing, and on-the-job upskilling are possible solutions to this shortage. Extension in many states is positioned to help support these efforts by offering educational content or training opportunities. Extension...

Microcredentials, stackable credentials, certification, and badging are just a few of the names for alternative training and credits that focus on providing needed skills to students and workers. As our system continues to evolve the understanding of the importance of these types of programs in both the workforce and academic sectors, there is an opportunity for the Cooperative Extension Service (CES) to leverage their connections with communities and the Land-Grant University System. With a...