By offering targeted, flexible learning opportunities through microcredentials, community colleges can enhance career advancement for students and align education with workforce needs. Microcredentials validate specific skills, enabling rapid upskilling or reskilling for in-demand roles. They attract diverse learners by demonstrating a clear return on investment and recognizing in-demand skills. Integrating microcredentials can allow community colleges to better support student career pathways and solidify their role as essential partners in workforce development and community vibrancy.
Strategy Features
Adult learner outreach associates should understand the expectations of their position, including when to move learners to other departments, what goals and outcome metrics are used to measure success, and which processes they should use to support prospective learners from interest to enrollment.
The adult learner associate role is designed to build relationships with community partners, employers, and potential adult learners. This should inform the hiring process and lead associates to spend a significant amount of their time at community events or partner sites.
The college should provide adult learner outreach associates with guidance on whether a formal memorandum of understanding is needed with a partner and the process the associate should follow in those instances.
Implementation Tips
Onboarding for adult learner outreach associates should include dedicated time for relationship-building with key personnel. They should also receive comprehensive professional learning on college programs and services, adult learner needs and goals, and institutional processes.
Adult learner outreach associates should know if they are expected to help learners complete their applications on site or connect learners to other staff who will help them enroll.
Associates with a deep knowledge of the local community or who have personal history as an adult learner can leverage their experiences and existing relationships to expand the college’s outreach into new neighborhoods and build trust with potential learners.
The number of potential partners in the community can be overwhelming. Colleges can support this role by mapping all potential employer and community partners and prioritizing them based on target adult learner populations and potential impact on enrollment numbers.
