(1) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires: (a) "Apprenticeship certificate of completion" means a certificate awarded to an apprentice in recognition of the successful completion of a registered apprenticeship program. (b) "Colorado talent report" means the report prepared pursuant to section 24-46.3-103. (c) "Department" means the department of higher education created and existing pursuant to section 24-1-114. (d) "Industry certification" means a credential awarded by an industry-recognized third party or industry-governing board based on an individual demonstrating by assessment that the individual has acquired the designated knowledge, skills, and abilities related to a specific occupation or skill. Industry certifications may be time-limited dependent upon the occupation or industry. (e) "International standard classification of education" or "ISCED" means a comprehensive framework for organizing education and training programs that applies uniform and internationally agreed-upon classifications to facilitate comparisons of education and training programs across countries. (f) "Nondegree credential" means a postsecondary certificate, apprenticeship certificate of completion, professional license, or industry certification. (g) "Postsecondary certificate" means a credential awarded by an institution of higher education at an undergraduate level based on completion of all requirements for a program of study, including coursework and exams. Postsecondary certificates are not time-limited and do not require renewal. "Postsecondary certificate" does not include a degree or a credential awarded by an institution of higher education after completion of a bachelor's degree in the same pathway. (h) "Quality nondegree credentials framework" means the quality and in-demand nondegree credentials framework developed pursuant to section 23-5-145.6 (2) to assess certifications, occupational licenses, apprenticeship certificates of completion, non-credit certificates, micro-credentials, and sub-baccalaureate for-credit certificates and establishes a rubric for evaluating credentials in state-recognized programs. (i) "Stackable credential pathway" means a sequence of degree or nondegree credentials earned through various means, including through assessment of prior learning, that may be accumulated over time and move an individual along a career pathway or up a career ladder. (j) "State institution of higher education" or "institution" has the same meaning as set forth in section 23-1-135. (2) (a) The state of Colorado formally recognizes the quality nondegree credentials framework developed pursuant to section 23-5-145.6 (2) as the primary tool for evaluating and ensuring the quality of nondegree credentials offered within the state. (b) The department, in collaboration with the Colorado work force development council, the department of education, the department of labor and employment, the Colorado office of economic development, and the Colorado community college system shall ensure the effective integration of the quality nondegree credentials framework within the state's education and workforce systems. (c) Beginning January 1, 2026, and annually thereafter, the department, in collaboration with the Colorado work force development council, the department of education, the department of labor and employment, and the Colorado office of economic development, shall evaluate nondegree credentials offered through state-recognized programs to ensure the credentials meet the quality standards set forth in the quality nondegree credentials framework. State-recognized programs that are required to ensure nondegree credential offerings meet the quality standards set forth in the quality nondegree credentials framework include, but are not limited to: (I) The career development success program created pursuant to section 22-54-138; and (II) The stackable credential pathways identified pursuant to section 23-5-145.6 (3). (d) Beginning January 1, 2026, and annually thereafter, the department, in collaboration with the department of education, the department of labor and employment, and the Colorado office of economic development, shall supply the state workforce development council with a list of quality nondegree credential programs that meet the quality standards set forth in the quality nondegree credentials framework for inclusion in the Colorado talent report produced pursuant to section 24-46.3-103 (3)(a) and in a credential registry endorsed by the state. (3) (a) The department shall engage state agencies, educational institutions, international organizations, industry associations, and other stakeholders to study and make recommendations concerning the adoption of ISCED as the state's standard framework for classifying nondegree credentials and ISCED's wider application in the state's education and workforce systems. On or before July 31, 2025, the department shall complete a stakeholder engagement process to inform a report. The stakeholder engagement process must: (I) Solicit input from employers and their industry or trade associations; (II) Solicit input from state institutions of higher education; (III) Solicit input from the Colorado department of labor and employment, including the office of future of work and the state apprenticeship agency, the state workforce development council, and the Colorado department of education student pathways unit; and (IV) Leverage the resources and tools of the ISCED community. (b) The department shall study and make recommendations concerning how ISCED equivalency levels may be: (I) Implemented as the state's standard framework for organizing and classifying nondegree credentials; (II) Assigned to credentials or packages of credentials identified and approved pursuant to section 23-5-145.6 (3) and (4); (III) Assigned to registered apprenticeships; (IV) Widely adopted by stakeholders to facilitate alignment of education and training programs and associated qualifications; and (V) Effectively integrated within the state's education and workforce systems. (c) On or before July 31, 2025, the department shall report its findings and recommendations to the education committees of the senate and house of representatives, or any successor committees. (d) On or before July 31, 2025, using the process recommended pursuant to subsection (3)(b) of this section, the department shall assign ISCED equivalency levels to the credentials included in the stackable credential pathways identified and approved pursuant to section 23-5- 145.6 (3) and (4). The ISCED alignment process must consider credential program rigor and relevance. (4) The department shall implement this section subject to available appropriations.
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