Designing Programs for the Millennial Workforce—Implementation Toolkit
Certificates and other non-degree programs are especially critical to serving the nation’s 80 million Millennials, a generation burdened with student loan debt and expected to change jobs once every three years. This toolkit, a supplement to our study Designing Programs for the Millennial Workforce, helps members design, launch, and maintain non-degree programs that exceed enrollment targets and cater to the needs of this diverse population.
Use the resources below to enhance your non-degree offerings throughout the program development lifecycle—from market validation to alumni follow-up.
New Program Launch and Implementation Template
Proposal templates standardize and speed up the new program development process by requiring all new programs provide plans for design and implementation. However, programs rarely require program directors to demonstrate the workforce need and employment outcomes associated with a proposed program.
The New Program Launch and Implementation Template empowers faculty and program directors to quantify a program’s economic impact, resulting in proposals that are better aligned with local and regional training needs.
New Bootcamp Prioritization Matrix
Typical certificate programs require a 12-18-month commitment from students, a prohibitively long length of time for young professionals who want to advance or change careers quickly. In response, many students are electing to enroll in one or two courses in lieu of a full certificate, a phenomenon that is threatening COE units’ financial stability.
The New Bootcamp Prioritization Matrix identifies existing certificates that are most appropriate for an accelerated bootcamp format.
Mini Degree Prioritization Matrix
Mini degrees condense full degrees into several short modules that convey select key learning outcomes. Master’s degrees with above average enrollment numbers and a large number of lost leads are good candidates for a mini degree—high enrollment in the degree indicates a demand for content and a high percentage of leads that do not convert may be due to students’ inability to commit to the time required to complete the program. To test demand for a mini degree, administrators can follow up with leads that did not convert to determine the level of interest in a mini degree option.
The Mini Degree Prioritization Matrix uses marketing data to identify the professional masters programs most suitable for a “mini degree” format.
Mini Degree Module Builder
After identifying the most promising mini degree opportunities, program directors and faculty must condense the full degree into short modules that convey select key learning outcomes. Faculty can prioritize outcomes based on the minimum information students would be expected to know in the course topic, the greatest relevance to current workforce needs, or other factors.
The Mini Degree Module Builder helps faculty identify and prioritize the key learning outcomes and assignments for each course.
Existing Certificate Redesign Worksheet
Although most COE units offer short-format programs on topics of interest to Millennials, few programs provide the experience this audience desires.
The Existing Certificate Redesign Worksheet offers cost-effective modifications that COE staff can make to existing programs, with an emphasis on program qualities that convey a program’s prestige and selectivity, create a personalized experience for students, and foster repeat enrollments among program alumni.
Enrichment Course Student Motivation Survey
As millions of young adults heed advice to “follow their passions,” enrichment courses once designed for hobbyists and retirees are enrolling record numbers of young professionals seeking career enhancement.
The Enrichment Course Student Motivation Surveyhelps program directors separate hobbyists from aspiring professionals and offers guidance on how to adapt marketing and program design strategies to freelance creative professionals.
Post-Certificate Tracking and Follow-Up Survey
Alumni tracking surveys can help hone prospective student personas, identify opportunities for employer partnerships, improve marketing collateral, and encourage repeat enrollments; Gainful Employment regulations are placing a renewed focus on post-program outcomes.
The Post-Certificate Tracking and Follow-Up Survey helps staff construct a short survey that measures student outcomes while informing students about upcoming program opportunities.
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