Virginia Law

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Board" means the Virginia Board of Workforce Development.

"Competency-based" means awarded on the basis of demonstrated knowledge and skills rather than completion of instructional hours or participation in an instructional course or program.

"Completion of a noncredit workforce training program" means that the student has satisfactorily completed the instructional program based on the criteria developed by the eligible institution and is prepared to complete a workforce credential.

"Cost of the program" means the cost of the workforce training program. Costs may include direct and indirect costs of the training program to the student. Institutions that charge additional fees that are not included in the costs of the program, such as books, supplies, or the cost of a workforce credential should list these fees with the cost of the program to ensure that students are aware of the full cost of the workforce training program.

"Council" means the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia.

"Eligible institution" means a comprehensive Virginia community college, the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research, New College Institute, Richard Bland College, Roanoke Higher Education Center, Southern Virginia Higher Education Center, or Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center.

"Eligible student" means any Virginia student enrolled at an eligible institution who is domiciled in the Commonwealth as provided in § 23.1-502 of the Code of Virginia as determined by the eligible institution.

"Fund" means the New Economy Workforce Credential Grant Fund.

"Grant" means a New Economy Workforce Credential Grant.

"High-demand field" means a discipline or field in which there is a shortage of skilled workers to fill current job vacancies or anticipated additional job openings.

"Industry-recognized" means demonstrating competency or proficiency in the technical and occupational skills identified as necessary for performing functions of an occupation based on standards developed or endorsed by employers and industry organizations.

"Noncredit workforce credential" means a competency-based, industry-recognized, portable, and third-party-validated certification or occupational license in a high-demand field.

"Noncredit workforce training program" means a program at an eligible institution that leads to an occupation or a cluster of occupations in a high-demand field, which may include the attainment of a noncredit workforce credential. A noncredit workforce training program may include a program that receives funding pursuant to the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Improvement Act of 2006, P.L. 109‑270. A noncredit workforce training program shall not include certificates of completion.

"Portable" means recognized by multiple employers or educational institutions and, where appropriate, across geographic areas.

"Program" means the New Economy Workforce Credential Grant Program.

"Satisfactory proof of completion of a workforce credential" means that an institution validates that an individual received a workforce credential as a result of completing an approved noncredit workforce training program. Validated sources include (i) a copy of the workforce credential, (ii) a credential identification number that may be searched and validated by an individual through a website link or written confirmation from the organization that issues the credential, or (iii) a record match from the designated entity authorized to issue the workforce credential. Other sources are subject to approval by the council prior to claiming satisfactory completion of a workforce credential.

"Third-party-validated" means having an external process in place for determining validity and relevance in the workplace and for continuous alignment of demonstrated knowledge and skills with industry workforce needs.