Stackable Credentials...An Absolute Game Changer!

Years ago, I worked with business and industry to offer coursework in high schools to help train future employees. This would give them a credential upon graduating from high school so they could stay in their community and have a job that would sustain their life. Some advantages of this model were:

• Skilled training taught by industry experts at the high school.

• Taught in an educational setting so the learner had access to resources.

• Graduates knew the community and knew key people to visit with about their work.

• Courses met industry standards.

• Rural community growth by growing their own.

• Stronger connections to business and industry for those school districts and communities.

• Cutting edge college programs.

  
  

At the time, there were two programs (certificates) that we rolled out with business and industry support as well as local high school and community support. The two programs were:

• Irrigation Technician

• Chemical Applicator Certification

  
  

In recent years, there has been a concept that has been termed “Stackable Credentials.” In short, stackable credentials are a series of certificates that students can earn to build toward a higher-level credential, such as an associate degree. They are designed to help students develop skills and earn credentials that are relevant to their career goals.

How do stackable credentials work?

• Students earn short-term credentials that are industry-recognized.

• These credentials build on each other, and are aligned with industry certifications. 

• Students can earn credit for a range of education, training, and workplace learning experiences. 

• Students can use stackable credentials to advance in their career and earn credentials that enable further study. 

  
  

What are the benefits of stackable credentials?

• Career advancement.

• Stackable credentials can help students develop skills to advance in their career. 

• Cost-effective.

• Stackable credentials can be more affordable than traditional degrees. 

• Career choice.

• Stackable credentials can help students decide what they want to do with their lives. 

• Access to postsecondary education.

• Stackable credentials can provide equitable access to postsecondary education and training.

Let’s look at an example of how this might work from Bismarck State College:

It is a connected career-focused credentials that creates a coherent academic and career pathway with multiple entry and exit points.

At Bismarck State College (BSC) a stackable credential model provides short-term certificates that can be combined to earn a diploma, associate's degree, or bachelor's degree. The model is designed to help students develop skills that are relevant to their career goals. The certificate can start while the student is in high school.

How it works at BSC:

• Short-term certificates: Students can earn certificates that are 16-18 credits and focus on skills needed for a specific job or career. 

• Stackable credentials: Students can combine certificates to progress toward a higher degree. 

• Industry-responsive: BSC works with business and industry leaders to develop credentials that meet the needs of the workforce. 

• Customized: Credentials are tailored to fit each student's career path 

Benefits of stackable credentials at BSC are:

• Students can develop transferable skills

• Students can create a path to meet the needs of the economy

• Students can create a path that's right for them

It is a game changer for the student, the school and business and industry! Years ago, I started the first step within a stackable credential. Today, it is now a reality at many colleges.

Why did I go into education? It gave students choices! Why did I go into education at a community/technical college? A student could get a certificate, graduate and go to work; they could continue on for a diploma, graduate and go to work; they could get an associate degree, graduate and go to work; or they could transfer and get a bachelor’s degree and go to work. Maybe I like the “choice model” because it is the path I followed. Except I didn’t stop until I received my Ph.D. in Agricultural Education.

If your school is looking to develop innovative ways to benefit the learner, we can help!