Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee
JOINT FAVORABLE REPORT
Bill No.: HB-5668
AN ACT REQUIRING THE OFFICE OF HIGHER EDUCATION TO ESTABLISH A
Title: MICROCREDENTIAL PILOT PROGRAM.
Vote Date: 3/22/2021
Vote Action: Joint Favorable
PH Date: 3/9/2021
File No.:
Disclaimer: The following JOINT FAVORABLE Report is prepared for the benefit of the
members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and
explanation and does not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber
thereof for any purpose.
SPONSORS OF BILL:
REP. MCCARTHY VAHEY, 133rd Dist.
REASONS FOR BILL:
To establish a microcredential pilot program.
RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:
Kelli Vallieres, PhD, Executive Director of the Office of Workforce Strategy (OWS) and
the Vice Chair of the Governors Workforce Council (GWC):
Submitted written testimony. Dr. Vallieres says OWS and GWC are tasked with developing
the state's workforce from Pre-K through retirement. With this in mind, the GWC's 2020
strategic plan highlighted four central pillars: partnerships, employer and educational
alignment, barrier removal, and dispersed data. HB 5668 is aligned with these goals and is
complemented by SB 881, introduced by Gov. Lamont. Dr. Vallieres says Connecticut should
seek to leverage the existing network of microcredential providers in order to expand the
credentials offered in the state.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
Peter Glovin:
Submitted written testimony in support. Mr. Glovin says the Pandemic has shown us the
value of varied approaches to learning, and "that micro credentials will help the citizens of
Connecticut gain better and more equitable access to learning opportunities." He says that
micro credentials also benefit workers and employers by expanding access, reducing
education costs, and verifying specific skills.
Patrick Leonard, COO and Co-founder of MIDAS Education:
Submitted written testimony in support. Mr. Leonard advocates for a mastery-based learning
system. His company has partnered with the state of Utah, "offering Microcredentials to
teachers throughout the state so educators can show evidence of teaching mastery and
improve their classroom instruction." Utah will soon expand their offerings to students. MIDAS
has similar programs in Wyoming and Washington.
Shannon Marimn, Executive Director, ReadyCT:
Submitted written testimony in support. Ms. Marimn says "microcredentials are of
tremendous value to students and employers," and 70% of workers will need some form of
postsecondary education in the next four years. She says encouraging microcredentials in
the ever-evolving job market will provide to workers a " competitive edge over neighboring
non-resident job applicants." ReadyCT urges acceptance of existing standards under the
GWC 2020 strategic plan, section 1.2, to avoid duplication of efforts. Further, by placing
microcredentials under the purview of OWS, Connecticut residents can benefit from " a true
one-stop experience for both microcredentials and full credential programs."
Jennifer Widness, President, Connecticut Conference of Independent Colleges (CCIC):
Submitted written testimony in support. Ms. Widness says, "many CCIC institutions offer
short-term, for-credit credential programs," they increasingly serve as "on-ramps" to post-
secondary education, and a statewide platform with "basic standards would benefit students
and their families." CCIC urges close collaboration with OWS to ensure alignment between
strategy and in-demand careers.
Ashley Zane, Government Affairs Associate, Connecticut Business and Industry
Association (CBIA):
Submitted written testimony in support. CBIA views this bill as a way improve access to post-
secondary skills and credentials. They specifically support "line 36 through 37 which requires
the credential provider to indicate if it is industry recognized." CBIA believes this bill will
provide a competitive advantage to Connecticut residents over regional counterparts.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:
None expressed.
Reported by: Jeremy Salyer Date: 04/05/2021
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