Credential Quality Apprenticeship Classification

Current law requires the department of higher education (department) and other higher education institutions to develop a framework for evaluating the quality of nondegree credentials. The bill formally recognizes the resulting quality and in-demand nondegree credentials framework (quality nondegree credentials framework) as the primary tool for assessing the quality of nondegree credentials offered in the state.

The bill requires the department to collaborate with various agencies to ensure the effective integration of the quality nondegree credentials framework within the state's education and workforce systems and to evaluate nondegree credentials offered through state-recognized programs to ensure the credentials meet the framework's quality standards. At least annually, Annually, the department shall supply a list of nondegree credential programs that meet the framework's quality standards for inclusion in the Colorado talent report and a credential registry endorsed by the state.

The department shall engage state agencies, educational institutions, international organizations, industry associations, and other stakeholders to study and make recommendations about the adoption of the international standard classification of education (ISCED) as the state's standard framework for classifying nondegree credentials and ISCED's wider application in the state's education and workforce systems. The recommendations must include a process for assigning ISCED equivalency levels to nondegree credentials included in stackable credential pathways and apprenticeship programs. The bill requires the department to report its findings and recommendations on or before January 1, 2025 July 31, 2025 .

Current law requires the department to create stackable credential pathways in growing industries. The bill requires the department to align the stackable credential pathways with appropriate ISCED equivalency levels on or before January 1, 2025 July 31, 2025 .

The bill requires the office of future of work to coordinate with various agencies to determine ISCED equivalency levels for each apprenticeship program registered on and after January 1, 2025 July 31, 2025 . The office of future of work shall then determine ISCED equivalency levels for each apprenticeship program registered before January 1, 2025 July 31, 2025 . For the 2024-25 state fiscal year, $124,287 is appropriated from the general fund to the department of higher education for use by the Colorado commission on higher education and higher education special purpose programs. For the 2024-25 state fiscal year, $30,000 is appropriated from the general fund to the department of labor and employment for use by the office of future of work.

(Note: Italicized words indicate new material added to the original summary; dashes through words indicate deletions from the original summary.)

(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)