Clarkson University Awarded $729,000 State Workforce Development Grant for Micro-credential Program

March 3, 2023

Clarkson University has been awarded $729,000 from the New York State Office of Strategic Workforce Development as part of the Workforce Development Capital and Pay for Performance Grant Programs, Governor Kathy Hochul announced Thursday.

a woman writes on a notepad — Clarkson has been awarded $729,000 for its Advancing Industry with Micro-credentials program

The funding was awarded to Clarkson for its Advancing Industry with Micro-credentials program, which will allow Clarkson to expand its existing micro-credential program to include courses in advanced manufacturing, clean tech, and construction that will result in ready-to-hire graduates in in-demand fields.

“Part of Clarkson's tradition of success, and the success of our students, lies in our strong industry partnerships. At Clarkson, we believe that the future of higher education lies, not only in equipping our students with foundational knowledge that will serve them throughout their careers, but also in preparing them with the latest industry-leading skills. Micro-credentialing is not only an important part of our commitment to workforce development supported by this visionary grant, but is transforming our campus itself through Clarkson's Solinsky Engineering Leadership Challenge. These initiatives couple Clarkson's technology-focused background with our key industry partnerships,” said Clarkson University President Marc P. Christensen, Ph.D., P.E. “We're so excited about the impacts that will be felt throughout the North Country, and all of New York State.”

Micro-credentials are digital credentials that are designed to verify that trainees possess the specific knowledge and skills that industry partners need and value. Requiring trainees to prove skill and knowledge to earn a micro-credential makes them popular with employers as valid assessments of mastery.

“Clarkson's approach to developing micro-credentials is unique in the marketplace. Our micro-credentials are co-developed with our industry partners with learning outcomes focused on the knowledge and skills that good jobs require,” said Michelle Crimi, Dean of the Graduate School and Interim Vice Provost for Research and Technology Transfer. “We will work with our industry partners to identify target trainees, specific micro-credential content areas based on common industry needs, and success metrics. Our faculty and industry partners work together, along with top experts in instructional design, to build the training modules.”

Clarkson’s training platform fosters greater access to jobs to a broader and more inclusive trainee population by using technologies and instructional designs that are purpose-built and proven at assessing and recognizing knowledge and skills from diverse contexts.

The Workforce Development Capital and Pay for Performance Grant Programs support employer-driven, high-skilled workforce training programs and reward innovative approaches and best practices that reduce the barriers to participation for high-need communities. For more information about this round of funding, please visit governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-announces-second-round-office-strategic-workforce-development-grant-awards.

For more information about Clarkson’s micro-credentials program, contact us at microcredentials@clarkson.edu.