In late 2025, the Education Design Lab and the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) convened an advisory group all about Workforce Pell.
The Community College Workforce Pell Advisory is co-chaired by Dr. DeRionne Pollard, President and CEO of AACC, and Dr. Lisa Larson, CEO of Education Design Lab. Invited members include community college presidents and vice presidents, policy analysts, philanthropic partners and others across the learn+work ecosystem. The purpose is to provide guidance and feedback aimed at helping colleges, systems, states, and workforce partners prepare for the program’s launch in July 2026.
WHY DOES WORKFORCE PELL MATTER?
This is the first-ever federal funding stream specifically designed to cover the costs of short-term training programs, and in doing so will push colleges and universities to align better with the world of work. Intentional design is necessary to ensure an effective rollout.
The Advisory ensures both AACC and the Lab’s work is relevant and responsive to the real needs of institutions and learners.
“At its core, that’s what Workforce Pell is about,” Pollard said during the Advisory’s first online meeting in November. “It’s about providing access to education and economic mobility for thousands of people who will go through the doors of our nation’s community colleges,” she said.
Although some colleges may question whether Workforce Pell will make an impact, Larson believes it can help fuel the workforce development transformation already happening.
“It’s an opportunity to innovate and respond to the changing needs of communities,” Larson said during the meeting.
SO WHAT’S NEXT?
The Advisory plans to share insights throughout the year, including resources to help us prepare for launch.
Workforce Pell resources
We’ll continue to add resources to this list.
LATEST HEADLINES
- Jobs for the Future (March 24): Workforce Pell – Opportunities and Challenges as Implementation Nears
JFF’s latest policy brief highlights opportunities and challenges shaping successful implementation. - New America (Feb. 26): High-Skill, High-Wage … and Now High-Stakes
How states interpret a confusing phrase could drive funding for Workforce Pell - CCDaily (Feb. 9): U.S. Education Department readies for Workforce Pell rollout
- Jobs That Work newsletter (Feb. 10): Getting through Workforce Pell’s state freakout stage
- New America (Feb. 9): Why Workforce Pell Implementation Matters Beyond July 2026
- Inside Higher Ed (Feb. 4): 4-Year Institutions Eye Programs Eligible for Workforce Pell
- New America (Jan. 28): Can Workforce Pell Support Apprenticeship? Yes, but…
- The Job newsletter (Dec. 18): Winners and Losers: Next Steps for Workforce Pell
- Inside Higher Ed (Dec. 10): What to Know About Workforce Pell Talks
- CCDaily (Dec. 4, 2025): ED releases draft Workforce Pell regulations
JOURNALISTS WORTH FOLLOWING
- Paul Fain: The Job newsletter
- Nick Beadle: Jobs That Work newsletter
- Wesley Whistle: Workforce Pell Watch newsletter
WEBINARS
- American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) webinar (recorded April 2): AACC Federal Policy Update: Focus on Pell
Join the AACC government relations team as they bring you up to date on the latest policy developments in Washington that affect your college, with a special emphasis on the Pell Grant program. - American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) webinar (recorded Feb. 26): Workforce Pell Implementation Webinar: Best Institutional and State Practices
- New America webinar (recorded on Dec. 1): Why Implementation Matters: Ensuring Quality in the New Workforce Pell Program
- Presidents Forum video podcast (recorded in October 2025): Workforce Pell Panel
Rosemary Lahasky, Vice President of U.S. Government Relations at Pearson, and Mary Jane (MJ) Michalak, Vice President of Government Relations at Ivy Tech Community College (an Education Design Lab partner).
TOOLS / GUIDES
- EdTrust (April 2): A Guide for States on Implementing Workforce Pell Grants
A new guide explains how Workforce Pell expands federal financial aid to short-term, career-focused programs and how states and stakeholders can implement it effectively. - Colorado Workforce Development Council: Quality and In-demand Non-degree Credentials framework, which was developed to create a unified and consistent definition of quality non-degree credentials in the state and outline the process for designating a credential as quality.
- Jobs for the Future: JFF Offers Guidance on Workforce Pell Implementation
- AACC: Workforce Pell Updates, Infographics and Resources
- The Century Foundation: Eight Steps States Should Take to Get Workforce Pell Right for Students and Workers
- UPCEA: Workforce Pell Readiness Checklist
- North Carolina Community College System: Workforce Pell Toolkit
Co-authored by Dr. Andrew Gardner, a CCGE Fellow at the Lab
DATA RESOURCES
- Workforce Pell Data Collaborative: Building the Data Foundation for Workforce Pell
A collaboratively developed framework of critical data elements for collecting, reporting, and analyzing information on Workforce Pell eligible programs, their participants, and outcomes. - UPCEA (Jan. 16): Workforce Pell is Here and Data Readiness is the Real Test for Credential Innovation
- Rutgers learning community: The State Noncredit Data Project Learning Community
A network interested in building the data infrastructure on noncredit education and non-degree credentials. - Community College Journal of Research and Practice: Workforce Pell for Community College Noncredit Education: How Well Positioned is the State Noncredit Data Infrastructure?
- Rutgers Education and Employment Research Center: Noncredit Data Taxonomy 2.0 and Implementation Guide for States: Lessons Learned from Phase 2 of the State Noncredit Data Project (PDF)
- DQC (Data Quality Campaign): The Administration’s Vision for the American Workforce: Potential Data Benefits and Areas of Concern
PROGRAMS
- Pew Charitable Trusts: How Will Workforce Pell Change Student Decisions About Nondegree Credentials?
- National Governors Association: Supporting Workforce Pell Implementation: A Readiness Academy Open to All States and Territories
- Insights + initiatives from National Council for Workforce Education (NCWE): Meeting the Moment: Workforce Pell
