Coalition for the Common Good adds workforce partners to expand flexible training

The Coalition for the Common Good says more than 20 employers and organizations have joined its workforce-development model as it enters its fourth year. The partnerships are designed to help working adults earn credentials without leaving their jobs while giving employers new tools to recruit and keep talent.

Why it matters: - The Coalition for the Common Good is pushing higher education directly into workplaces and membership organizations. - The model is designed to help working adults earn job-relevant education without leaving their jobs. - Employers and membership groups can use the partnerships to attract, develop and retain talent. - The approach also extends tuition benefits and flexible learning options to workers and their families.

What happened: - The Coalition for the Common Good said its workforce-development partnerships now include more than 20 organizations, with more collaborations in development. - The expansion comes as the coalition enters its fourth year. - The partnerships cover healthcare, education, nonprofit, military and industry organizations. - The coalition said programs can be delivered at work, on campus, online or through hybrid formats.

The details: - Partner organizations can offer customized training, seminars, workshops, stackable credentials, credit-bearing certificates and tuition benefits. - The coalition said the programs are built around each organization’s workforce needs. - The delivery model is intended to serve partners coast to coast. - John Comerford, president of the CCG, said the coalition addresses current and future workforce needs. - Comerford said partners can expect flexible, accessible and innovative educational opportunities. - Comerford also said tuition discounts for undergraduate, master’s and doctoral programs can help organizations compete for talent. - InnoSource worked with the coalition to create “InnoSkilling,” a program that blends customized job training with higher-education credit. - Multiple cohorts have completed InnoSkilling, and InnoSource reported stronger retention among participating employees. - Columbus City Schools is working with the coalition to expand access to school counseling programs, teacher apprenticeship pathways, management and leadership degrees, certifications and continuing-education opportunities. - Michelle Koppitz, associate vice president for strategic initiatives at the CCG, said the coalition is focused on minimizing barriers to higher education by meeting people where they are, especially at work. - Other partners include Alliance of Hazardous Materials Professionals, Behavioral Health Partners of Central Ohio, Blue Star Families, City of Columbus, Columbus Early Learning Center, Educational Service Center of Central Ohio, Infant Massage USA, Kettering Health Network, LA Urban League, Landmark College, Maricopa Community College, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, NEA-New Hampshire, OhioHealth, Premier Health Network, River Valley Community College, Service!/Cafe Overlook, Sinclair College and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. - More partners are listed at current workforce partnerships. - More information is available by email at partnerships@antioch.edu or on the coalition’s website at CCG.

Between the lines: - The coalition is positioning higher education as a workforce benefit, not just a student enrollment pathway. - The partner mix suggests the model is being used across public, private and nonprofit settings. - The retention results at InnoSource hint that the program is being measured on employer outcomes, not only participation.

What's next: - The coalition said additional collaborations are in development. - The expanded partner base suggests more employers and organizations could adopt the model as demand grows. - The coalition will likely keep focusing on flexible delivery formats and credential pathways tied to workplace needs.

The bottom line: - The Coalition for the Common Good is scaling a workplace-centered education model meant to help employees advance and help organizations keep talent.