The State of Short-term Credentials

The demand for short-term credential programs is growing, and state leaders are responding. In 2025, a total of $8.1 billion was spent across 34 states to help students and institutions deliver high-quality, short-term education and training programs. This growing state investment, combined with Workforce Pell, has states contending with new issues: How will states approve programs? How do students know which programs lead to better wages? How will institutions help keep people on a pathway to degree programs? This month, Kermit Kaleba from Lumina Foundation discusses the FutureReady States initiative - a program helping state leaders work through these issues and more. Governor Jared Polis of Colorado and Nathan Rankin of Alabama's Department of Workforce discuss their strategies to improve short-term credential programs and outcomes.