Read Time
INDIANAPOLIS — Strada Education Network and Lumina Foundation today released a national survey of more than 30,000 U.S. veterans, which found those without degrees are much more likely to hold certificates or certifications than their non-veteran peers. And those credentials provide meaningful financial returns: veterans with certificates or certifications earn an average of $10,000 more per year than veterans with no postsecondary credential.
Prior research has shown that the skills and knowledge veterans gain in the military are often under-recognized and undervalued by civilian employers. This new report, “Veterans Without Degrees: The Benefits and Opportunities of Certificates and Certifications,” draws on veterans’ perspectives to understand the value of non-degree credentials as a means of translating military-based learning and the civilian labor market.
“We do a disservice to our nation’s veterans when we fail to credential their military-based learning so it can be immediately recognized and valued when they complete their military service,” said Dave Clayton, Senior Vice President of Consumer Insights at Strada Education Network. “Every day, service members are acquiring and strengthening invaluable skills. They shouldn’t start at square one when they return home. We have to develop stackable, portable credentials that enable veterans to harness their prior learning as they work toward additional credentials, degrees or civilian careers.”
The study found that among adults without degrees, veterans are about 60 percent more likely than non-veterans to have a certificate or certification, and that male veterans without degrees are about 40 percent more likely to have such a credential than are their female peers. Veterans without degrees are more satisfied with their current education level than the general population: just 37 percent of veterans without degrees feel they need more education to advance in their careers, compared to 47 percent of adults without degrees nationwide.
Certificates and certifications produce the highest income premiums in the security and engineering fields — which align closely with prevalent military jobs — but make little or no measurable difference to the annual earnings of administrative, healthcare, or education workers. The report identifies the need to better understand these differences and to improve the credential market, ensuring that all learning and career-relevant skills count.
“With this report, we set out to better understand the perspectives of veterans and the role that certificates and certifications play in their transition into the civilian workplace,” said Courtney Brown, Vice President of Strategic Impact at Lumina Foundation. “The findings underscore the importance of these credentials and provide an opportunity for educational institutions, employers, and policymakers to work together to create better systems that help veterans obtain and develop stackable, transparent credentials that lead to strong employment outcomes.”
To learn more, visit stradaeducation.org/report/veterans-without-degrees/.
ABOUT STRADA EDUCATION NETWORK
Strada Education Network is a national social impact organization dedicated to improving lives by forging clearer and more purposeful pathways between education and employment. The Network engages partners across education, nonprofits, business and government to focus relentlessly on students’ success throughout all phases of their working lives. Together, we address critical college to career challenges through strategic philanthropy, research and insights, and mission-aligned affiliates. Learn more at StradaEducation.org.
ABOUT LUMINA FOUNDATION
Lumina Foundation is an independent, private foundation in Indianapolis that is committed to making opportunities for learning beyond high school available to all. The foundation envisions a system that is easy to navigate, delivers fair results, and meets the nation’s need for talent through a broad range of credentials. Lumina’s goal is to prepare people for informed citizenship and for success in a global economy. Learn more at LuminaFoundation.org
To create a PDF of the webpage, choose in opened window 'Save as PDF' option in 'Destination' select or something like that and click to save or print button.
Veteran corporate leader brings diverse range of experience to guide Strada’s legal team and serve organization’s Board of Trustees
Two-year grants will support proven partnerships that connect learners to education and in-demand employment opportunities and strengthen regional economies.
At a time of growing societal uncertainty about the value of higher education and declining enrollment, the views of alumni turn out to be particularly insightful. This group can provide especially valuable feedback about how their education experiences have enriched their lives, which can help us ensure that today’s students maximize all the benefits that college offers.
National Workforce Development Leader to Head Social Impact Organization’s Strategy and Innovation Team
New Study from Strada Education Network Reveals a Silver Lining at a Challenging Time
Strada Education Network is pleased to celebrate the opening of the Jackie Robinson Museum in New York City.
Phase 2 allows Taskforce members to seek up to $1.5 million ($6.25 million total) to expand efforts to connect education to employment.
Disparities in securing paid internships persist for women, people of color, first-generation college students, and students with low incomes — even when taking into account their fields of study
Strada Education Network announced today the winners in the initial phase of a $10 million grant challenge aimed at helping higher education institutions identify and expand new solutions that will improve career and life opportunities for more students of color, first-generation students, those who struggle to afford education, and adult students and workers.
NSSE and Strada researchers identify gaps in social capital development in 2021 NSSE career preparation data
Recognized Economic and Workforce Development Leader to Join National Nonprofit in January 2022
Courses, faculty receive high marks, but valued education-career connections are less consistent, and females, first-generation, Black alumni are less likely to report successful outcomes
Grant competition seeks to connect learning with employment for first-generation students, those who struggle to afford education, and students of color.
$25 million grant from Strada Education Network taps the collective experience and insights of HBCU leaders to scale experiential learning and leadership development within the college experience .main-content__header-area .header-image .text-box { max-width: 100% !important; text-align: center; }
New organization will allow each constituent part to focus on mission delivery, gaining operating efficiencies by leveraging support services from Strada
Surveys and interviews with 2020, 2021 high school graduates who postponed their education plans due to COVID-19 also show advising, financial assistance, career relevance are important to bringing students back to campus.
Report also finds that more respondents rate shorter nondegree programs as worth the cost than longer ones
Disrupted high school graduates cited stress, anxiety, and uncertainty as having the greatest influence on their decision to delay further education — and they say guidance, affordability, and connections to career would help them re-engage.
Combination to Create a Leading Labor Market Analytics Company
Strada Education Network’s latest survey finds that 32 percent of adults whose education plans were disrupted by COVID-19 are no longer enrolled or planning to enroll, up from 10 percent last spring
Strada Education Network’s latest Public Viewpoint research finds that fewer than 4 in 10 Black alumni and less than half of Latino alumni feel that it was worth taking out their student loans—but strong career support boosts their assessment.
Bill Hansen to Step Down After Eight Years Leading Nonprofit Social Impact Organization
Strada Education Network’s latest Public Viewpoint research highlights widespread belief that when it comes to career, skills and experience should take precedence over formal credentials—and that Americans highly value employers who will support their education and career development.
University of Utah leader will drive Strada Education Network’s research, philanthropy, policy, and thought leadership on national stage.
Breaux, Jenkins and Olinger Join Governing Board; Coulis Selected as Board Chair for National Social Impact Organization Focused on Strengthening Education-to-Employment Pathways
Americans cited an unfair system for hiring and advancement, a lack of employer support for education or training, and insufficient skills or credentials as the top barriers to good jobs
Nearly two million college students (13 percent) at four-year institutions expect to delay their graduation because of COVID-19, and another 15 percent aren’t sure if they will.
Strada grant brings the number of JRF/Strada Scholars to 42; provides vital program support
Compared to a year ago, adults without degrees are 18 percentage points less likely to believe education and training will be worth the cost, and 25 percentage points less likely to believe it will get them a good job