
Introduction
Research Questions
- How do programs in the PACE and HPOG studies help working students persist in and complete their occupational training programs?
This brief describes how programs help working students persist and complete occupational training programs. It uses data from three Administration for Children and Families-funded studies of programs adopting a career pathways framework—Pathways for Advancing Careers and Education (PACE) and two rounds of the Health Profession Opportunity Grants Program (HPOG 1.0 and HPOG 2.0).
Purpose
Most occupations projected to grow the fastest in the coming years will require postsecondary education and training. Yet for a variety of reasons, millions of adults lack the postsecondary credentials needed to obtain jobs. One key challenge to obtaining postsecondary credentials is the need for students to balance school with work responsibilities. Programs adopting a career pathways framework to improve the education and earnings outcomes of working and other nontraditional students include a range of components. To help students enroll, persist, and earn credentials, programs include a combination of assessments, innovative approaches to teaching occupational and basic skills, advising, and connections to employment. This brief uses PACE and HPOG 1.0 implementation study data and in-depth interviews with HPOG 2.0 participants to describe programmatic elements that aim to help working students persist in training.
Key Findings and Highlights
Challenges to working student persistence in training programs and potential programmatic facilitators include:
- Work schedules can reduce enrollment and persistence in school; shortening the length of the program and providing flexibility in when and where courses are offered can help.
- Participant challenges can affect persistence in school; program case managers can link students to an array of supports.
- Even when students are working, their earnings might not cover costs associated with school, unexpected emergencies, and day-to-day living, with implications for persistence; programs can offer a range of financial supports.
- Some participants might need to begin working after enrolling in school; programs can help connect students to jobs.
Methods
This brief uses data from the PACE and HPOG 1.0 implementation studies, and in-depth interviews with a sample of 153 HPOG 2.0 study participants. The PACE and HPOG 1.0 implementation studies documented program components, while HPOG 2.0 study participants described in their own words their reasons for working while in school and the programmatic components that help them persevere.
Citation
Gardiner, Karen, N. 2021. How Can Postsecondary Education and Training Programs Help Working Students Persist? Findings from Career Pathways Studies. OPRE Report 2021-236. Washington, DC: Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Glossary
- ACF:
- Administration for Children and Families
- PACE:
- Pathways for Advancing Careers and Education
- HPOG:
- Health Profession Opportunity Grants