This study aimed to identify if Central Ohio employers closed the middle-skill gap by investing in training. Middle-skill jobs are those that require at least one of the following: a month of On-the-Job training, previous work experience in a related occupation, an apprenticeship, a certification, and some college but not a 4-year degree (Young…

This article investigated the learning experiences of students who obtained certificates from a TVET institution in Uganda (referred to in the article as graduates). Qualitative data collected through in-depth interviews and observation from 12 purposively selected participants was analysed thematically. Findings show that graduates acquire…

Researchers have investigated the demography and styles of engagement of those who enroll in MOOCs but have lent little attention to how learners navigate MOOCs' ambiguity as academic certifications. Analyzing semi-structured interviews with 60 people who devoted substantial time to at least one MOOC between 2014-2017, we find that people use…

The Montana Early Childhood Apprenticeship Program (MECAP) aims to support and increase retention of early childhood education (ECE) providers through on-the-job training, mentorship, and college coursework. Upon completing the program, apprentices are awarded the Child Care Development Specialist Certificate from Montana's Department of Labor and…

This protocol guides the review of research that informs the What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) intervention reports in the postsecondary Career and Technical Education (CTE) topic area. The review-specific protocol is used in conjunction with the "WWC Procedures and Standards Handbook" (version 4.0). WWC reviews in this topic area focus on…

Several economic factors influence the availability of job openings and labor supply, including technological change and access to quality educational resources. One of the most important factors explaining the current disparity between available jobs and labor supply, however, has been the "skills gap," or the difference between the…

Until the late 1990s, "vocational education" in traditional trades such as carpentry, cosmetology, and auto mechanics was often the presumptive high school placement for low-performing students considered ill-suited for college. However, in the past two decades, policymakers and educators have reconsidered what is now referred to as…

For leaders of schools in the 21st century, it seems there is a never-ending demand on what they need to be doing. Just when they thought they had a handle on traditional testing and ways to improve student achievement, along comes the Common Core Standards, which change the game in many ways. The Common Core will require students to have an…

Postsecondary education and credentials are key to economic mobility for individuals and economic competitiveness for our nation. Although the economic return to credentials varies significantly by field of study, generally workers with higher levels of education have higher wages, work more hours, and suffer lower rates and shorter durations of…

This article features the Career Readiness Certificate (CRC) which serves as the founding credential in the six states and one locality in the Career Readiness Certificate Consortium (Tennessee, West Virginia, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Virginia and Washington, D.C.). The Career Readiness Certificate was developed by the small consortium…

Though not extensively researched, third-party employee competency certifications are increasingly important to organizations. Certifications are double-edged: they may serve to reduce transaction costs, enhance performance, and foster employee development; but they can also be used as "credentials" to gain prestige, rewards, or influence. The…

Describes a survey of knowledge and skills in the health information sciences conducted by the Medical Library Association (MLA) and relates the results to the MLA's educational policy statement. Credentialing for the Academy of Health Information Professionals is described, and ways to acquire medical knowledge and skills are discussed. (Contains…

The first of the papers in this poster session, "Developing the Employment Brand: Targeting MBA Campus Hires" (Diane M. Bergeron), posits that employment branding benefits both individuals and organizations. It functions as a campus recruiting tool in a competitive labor market and communicates the organization's values and work…

Information related to selecting, training, and certifying outdoor leaders for high adventure pursuits, is provided by selected experts from five English-speaking nations (Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States). Patterns of differences and similarities among these nations regarding outdoor leadership components and…