We conduct an impact analysis on a unique technology certificate and apprenticeship program offered by LaunchCode. We merge administrative data containing entrance exam scores with survey data for individuals that were (a) not accepted, (b) accepted but did not complete the course, (c) completed the course but not the apprenticeship, and (d)…

There is a large and growing number of non-degree credential offerings between a high school diploma and a bachelor's degree, as well as degree programs beyond a bachelor's degree. Nevertheless, research on the financial returns to non-degree credentials and degree-granting programs is often narrow and siloed. To fill this gap, we leverage a…

The School Social Work Association of America's national certified school social worker (NCSSW) credential was launched in April 2021. Because the certification is so new, it has not yet been evaluated. Without information on the benefits of the NCSSW credential, it is difficult to promote the certification, to help the certification grow, or to…

The article discusses the author's transformative journey, who transitioned from a traditional trainer to a passionate action learning coach through a series of personal and professional experiences. On top of that, the knowledge and experiences gained from action learning marked a pivotal moment, leading to a profound shift in the approach to…

The purpose of the study was to explore frontline employee perceptions of the value of their training and how it affected their on-the-job performance. To support this purpose, there were three research questions: "What are quick serve frontline employee perceptions of the scope and value of the frontline employee certification course?"…

This report summarizes survey findings from representative samples of 217 adult Americans 18 years and older who completed a degree or certificate program from a public or private nonprofit college and 169 adult Americans 18 years and older who completed a degree or certificate program from a for-profit college. For both groups, alumni were…

Earning industry certifications helps people prepare for jobs in a range of careers. Doing so in high school may help students prepare for college as well. Using administrative data on two cohorts of first-time 9th graders in Florida, we examined whether earning a certification was associated with postsecondary enrollment and degree attainment and…

Earning industry certifications helps people prepare for jobs in a range of careers. Doing so in high school may help students prepare for college as well. Using administrative data on two cohorts of first-time 9th graders in Florida, we examined whether earning a certification was associated with postsecondary enrollment and degree attainment and…

Do older community college students build momentum toward graduation differently than their younger peers? One-third of students in community colleges are 25 years of age or older, and these students tend to have lower rates of graduation than their younger peers. Yet, we know little about how the factors that influence college graduation differ…

We leverage employment and earnings data from a large credit bureau, program data from LaunchCode--a free technology education, and in-depth interviews with applicants and instructors to examine "if" the LaunchCode program leads to economic benefits, :who" is most likely to experience these benefits, and "how" this program…

Since the reauthorization of the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act in 2018, national and state educational policies are prioritizing career and technical education (CTE). A longstanding part of the educational system, CTE provides specific and practical knowledge to students wishing to gain the skills necessary…

This paper analyses the relationship between translational technology and learning outcomes and investigates the type of translational technology most beneficial towards students' translations of legal texts. This study tests whether differences were found in the learning outcomes of legal text translation for students with high and low placement…

This product provides a summary of the outcomes of apprentices and trainees aged 15 years or over who undertook an apprenticeship or traineeship during 2023. It includes those who completed their training (completers) and those who cancelled or withdrew (non-completers). The figures are derived from the National Student Outcomes Survey. The 2024…

In Mississippi, 57% of job vacancies through 2022 will be middle-skill jobs, but only an estimated 50% of the state's workers will be trained to fill these jobs. The ACT WorkKeys assessment is the primary credentialing tool for high school students entering the middle-skill labor force. The problem addressed in this study is while Mississippi uses…

Texas, like many states, considers students to be "college, career, or military ready" if they earn an industry-based certification (IBC) in high school. While the expansion of opportunities for students to earn IBCs has been stimulated through state policy, limited research has systematically examined what factors influence students'…