The Center for American Progress has issued the report, “Strong Students, Strong Workers: Models for Student Success through Workforce Development and Community College Partnerships," by H. Holzer & D. S. Nightingale (December 2009).

It notes how community college can provide postsecondary credentials needed by low-income youth and working adults to increase their earnings, and overall skills to keep America’s workforce competitive. However, low-income youth and adults still have relatively limited community college enrollment; often, they do not complete a degree or certificate, and the classes they take do not have strong labor market demand.

Although most of the innovations discussed in the report have not yet been rigorously evaluated, several appear promising. These include

• Bridge programs and career pathways that contain steps to earning a certificate or degree
• Alternative training and education, such as modular courses or stackable credentials that allow flexibility and open entry and exit
• Sectoral training in high-demand occupations in growth industries
• Integrated education, occupational and vocational training, rather than separate strategies

 Link: http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2009/12/pdf/strong_students.pdf