A 2025 survey conducted by Workplace Intelligence found 96 percent of U.S. employers want colleges and universities to take more responsibility for workforce training.
With Education Design Lab as their partner, dozens of community colleges are responding to this demand, and in doing so they are revealing a core truth: people flourish when they can discover and apply their unique gifts in ways that create value for others.
In 2020, with the support of the Charles Koch Foundation (CKF) and other philanthropic organizations, Education Design Lab launched the Community College Growth Engine, a project to bring community colleges, employers, and learners together to collaboratively design, implement, and scale micro-pathways. Micro-pathways are high-quality, stackable credentials that can be completed in less than one year and prepare individuals for employment in high-demand fields. They also act as credit toward a degree.
Today, more than 100 community colleges across 20 states are part of the Growth Engine. Education Design Lab has worked with these institutions to design nearly 300 micro-pathways in industries ranging from manufacturing to behavioral healthcare and information technology.
“A future-ready workforce requires affordable and accessible educational and career pathways aligned with market demand,” said CKF’s Director of Partner Strategy John Poreba. “People are capable of extraordinary things when given the opportunity, and we’re excited to partner with Education Design Lab, community colleges, and employers to help many more individuals discover, develop, and apply their gifts — creating value for themselves and others.”
Employers are not the only ones demanding innovative solutions like the ones the Growth Lab provides. Individuals want micro-pathways as well.
The Colorado Community College System, an Education Design Lab partner, implemented its first micro-pathway one year ago. It addresses a behavioral healthcare worker shortage in that state. According to Governing, more than 750 people have enrolled.
“With the support of Education Design Lab, we’ve built a new approach to training that’s more closely aligned with the needs of our local economies across the state — and more accessible and affordable for learners,” said Colorado Community College System Associate Vice Chancellor for Workforce Solutions Michael Macklin. “This is the model that should define postsecondary education in the 21st century.”
Read more about the Growth Engine.