Last week in Minneapolis, MN, OEQA Executive Director Dr. Megan Oftedal and Caroline Misner, Director of Teacher Pathways, represented Oklahoma at the launch of the National Governors Association’s Data and Non-Degree Credentials Learning Community.
This year-long initiative brings states together to improve how they use data to evaluate the quality of non-degree credentials, such as industry certifications, licenses, and apprenticeships. Oklahoma’s team includes leaders from OEQA, CareerTech, the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission (OESC), and the Workforce Commission. Together, the group is focused on expanding high-quality pathways that prepare students for the workforce and give employers a stronger pipeline of skilled talent.
The two-day convening featured dynamic sessions with state leaders, workforce experts, and national thought partners. Presentations highlighted how states are modernizing their data systems to better track the value of non-degree credentials, how employers are shifting toward skills-based hiring, and how new technologies like artificial intelligence are reshaping workforce demand.
Speakers included national policy leaders who outlined frameworks for determining credential quality, as well as private-sector employers who described what they look for when scaling skills-based hiring. Participants also engaged in hands-on workshops to design practical strategies for measuring program outcomes and aligning education systems more closely with labor market needs.
For Oklahoma, it was a valuable opportunity to learn from other states’ innovations while also showcasing progress in teacher apprenticeships, employer engagement, and using data to guide decision-making.
One resource shared during the workshop was Advance CTE’s Credentials of Value Dashboard, which compares how states identify and approve credentials of value. According to this tool, Oklahoma is already ahead in several areas, incorporating employer recommendations, advisory group input, and real-time labor market data into its approval process. In 2023, 63.6% of Oklahoma postsecondary CTE concentrators earned a recognized credential, placing Oklahoma above the national average.
As OEQA works to expand career pathways, particularly in teacher preparation, participation in this community ensures we are developing high-quality programs informed by national best practices. Oklahoma’s involvement will also strengthen partnerships across education and workforce systems and support a credentialing framework where every certificate earned translates into real opportunity for students and lasting economic growth for the state.
