Education Finance Council (EFC), the national trade association representing nonprofit and state-based higher education finance organisations, published a new research brief titled, “Career-Connected Learning Can Improve Student Success and Strengthen the Economy“. The report details how education-to-employment pathways enable student success and highlights how both federal and state policymakers can invest in these programmes to unleash economic growth.
“State-based, nonprofit higher education finance organisations empower students to succeed through all types of educational programmes into rewarding jobs,” said EFC President Gail daMota. “There are many pathways to career success, and this research brief demonstrates just how important it is for families to consider all their postsecondary options before committing to a certain institution or programme.”
After showing the effectiveness of career-connected learning, the research brief describes federal programmes and policies that students rely on to pay for higher education, and how those initiatives neglect to serve learners in shorter-term or other non-traditional programmes. States recognise the limitations of these federal interventions and are finding new ways to aid more students.
“EFC members recognise the value of career-connected learning and are creating innovative programmes that help students pay for their education as affordably as possible,” added EFC President Gail daMota. “For example, some EFC members have grant programmes for those enrolled in certificate programmes and others have student loan repayment assistance programmes for those who are employed in an in-demand occupation. EFC members are the local community experts that help students find long-term financial stability, and improve employers’ ability to attract and retain talent.”
EFC members work closely with families to help them make the best possible decision given their unique circumstances. The research brief concludes with several actions federal and state policymakers can take to scale career-connected learning programmes. If implemented, these recommendations will boost economic growth, bring down the cost of education and strengthen the American worker.
