Credentials to Careers

The Credentials to Careers (C2C) Consortium focused on building innovative career pathway training programs that were accessible to economically struggling workers. The goal was to prepare Americans — particularly unemployed workers impacted by trade — for in-demand jobs. Through C2C, workforce development organizations and community colleges collaborated to help adult students work toward outcomes that were best for them. For some participants, training was the best option to prepare them for new work. But others needed different support to get back to work quickly. C2C afforded workforce development and community colleges the flexibility and resources necessary to provide the services and support that worked best for students.

From 2012 to the spring of 2016, the Economic Opportunities Program’s Workforce Strategies Initiative, in partnership with Achieving the Dream (ATD), supported the consortium by developing opportunities for peer-to-peer learning, providing targeted technical assistance, and documenting promising and innovative program strategies made possible through grant funds.

The C2C consortium was one of 40 Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training (TAAACCT) program grantees around the country. Led by Northern Virginia Community College, the C2C consortium comprised six other community colleges that invested their second round of TAACCCT grant funds to provide training and credentials in information technology and other STEM-H (science, technology, education, math, health care) fields.

WSI managed peer learning meetings twice annually for program representatives from the seven sites, and provided additional ongoing technical assistance to help site managers continually improve their programs. Scroll below to learn more about C2C’s members and WSI’s work with the consortium.