As more adults pursue nondegree pathways for skill development and career advancement, and with the enactment of Workforce Pell in July 2025, which authorizes Pell Grants for training programs as short as 150 hours or eight weeks, the need for clear definitions and reliable data on noncredit education has become increasingly important. Establishing a standardized system will be key to turning these data into actionable information that helps New Jersey maximize the benefits of Workforce Pell.
The report:
- Explores how national agencies, institutions, and research organizations define noncredit education;
- Examines New Jersey’s noncredit education data infrastructure, including reporting practices, ongoing initiatives, and opportunities for enhancement or extension;
- Assesses New Jersey’s readiness for Workforce Pell;
- Highlights promising practices from other states; and
- Offers recommendations to strengthen New Jersey’s approach.