Broward College Receives $1.68 million Grant from U.S. Department of Labor to Establish the Micro-credentialing in Higher Education Project

Broward College is the only institution in Florida to receive funding

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA (February 8, 2021) -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Strengthening Community College Training Grants program has awarded Broward College a grant of almost $1.7 million. The Training Grants Program is focused on helping build community colleges' capacity to meet labor market demand for a skilled workforce. Broward College received one of eleven grants awarded to community colleges across the nation and the only grant awarded in Florida. Micro-credentials are short term courses of training in a particular field or an area that allows students to gain qualifications or expertise through certifications that can be completed in a short period.

The funding will support the Broward College Micro-credentialing in Higher Education (MicroHE) Project over four years through support for students, employees, including faculty, equipment, tuition, and fees. The MicroHE Project also aims to engage nine new employer partners, 1240 students, enhance program maps, technological infrastructure, and articulation agreements for credits. The grant allows the College to expand Rapid Credentials, which has already received funding from the Florida Department of Education's Governor's Emergency Education Relief (GEER) through the CARES Act funding for short-term workforce training to accelerate economic recovery.

The Broward College MicroHE is focused on:

• Creating a framework with employers for awarding micro-credentialing/badging using industry certifications and prior learning assessments in the Information Technology, supply chain management, and healthcare industries
• Procuring an online platform for developing and awarding digital badges that can connect to other platforms such as LinkedIn and Indeed for job searches
• Enhancing the process for awarding college credit for these micro-credentials that will accelerate participants completion of a Technical Certificate or degree
• Providing distance learning infrastructure in the Broward UP™/Opportunity Zone communities for access to workforce education and training, leading to these micro-credentials and giving them access to courses taught on the College's campuses

"The Strengthening Community College Training grant allows us to bridge the gap between real-world skills, relevant education, and local demand for skilled workers," said Dr. Mildred Coyne, senior vice president of Workforce Education and Innovation at Broward College. "This grant provides us with the funding so we can work toward bringing the necessary workforce education to help change the lives of individuals in our community." 

Broward College has been focused on increasing micro-credentialing as one way to accelerate post-secondary completion rates and credentials that facilitate entry into jobs. Although the COVD-19 pandemic has heavily impacted the regional economy, it is now transforming. New industries such as healthcare, supply chain, and information technology (IT) are in top demand for skilled workers. 

For more information on the Department of Labor's Strengthening Community Colleges grant, visit here. 

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