Building Ohio's Workforce Through Stackable Credentials
This research brief by RAND Corporation provides key findings on stackable credentials in the Ohio workforce. Stackable credentials are more common in fields like health care and information technology that require some postsecondary education and training below the bachelor's degree level. The researchers examined statewide educational records, focusing on credentials awarded between 2005 and 2019 by Ohio's public postsecondary institutions. All types of institutions contributed to stacking, although most stacking took place within community colleges. Ohio had strong growth in short-term credential programs over the past 15 years. The study suggests that stackable credentials offer a promising strategy for reshaping postsecondary education and training in applied fields like health care, information technology, and manufacturing and engineering technology.