Introducing the Workforce Futures Accelerator
We are proud to announce that the Workforce Futures Accelerator Project has officially launched and with philanthropic support secured, we are now opening participation for our first national cohort of community colleges.
Led by Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) in partnership with Riipen and Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), this three-year initiative will embed virtual, project-based work-based learning directly into short-term workforce programs at 20 community colleges nationwide.
This is your opportunity to be part of a national movement redefining workforce education.
Why This Project – And Why Now
Middle-skill jobs are growing. Employers are shifting toward skills-based hiring. Short-term credential programs are expanding rapidly.
But too often, students complete workforce programs without meaningful opportunities to demonstrate their skills in real-world settings.
Traditional internships:
- Are difficult for working adults to access
- Depend on local employer availability
- Often exclude short-term credential students
The Workforce Futures Accelerator changes that model by embedding employer-sponsored projects directly into coursework, ensuring students graduate with experience, not just a credential.
What Participating Colleges Will Do
Selected colleges will join a structured, three-year cohort model designed to build both immediate impact and long-term sustainability.
Participating institutions will:
- Redesign short-term workforce programs to include employer-sponsored, virtual projects
- Train instructors in project-based learning design and delivery
- Engage employers in meaningful, skills-aligned projects
- Develop sustainable funding and operational models to continue beyond the grant
By the end of the initiative, participating colleges will have a scalable framework for experiential learning that can expand across programs and departments.
How the Accelerator Works
The Workforce Futures Accelerator combines national expertise with hands-on institutional support.
- Instructor Development - WPI will deliver workshops, modules, and peer-learning sessions to guide faculty through integrating project-based learning into their courses.
- Employer Engagement & Project Delivery – Riipen will facilitate employer matching, onboarding, and ongoing project support through its national marketplace of 35,000+ employers.
- Institutional Capacity Building – ACCT will support leadership teams in aligning the initiative with workforce strategy, identifying braided funding opportunities, and building internal champions for long-term adoption.
Who Should Apply
We are seeking community colleges that:
- Offer short-term workforce credential programs aligned to high-demand occupations
- Have leadership commitment to innovation and workforce alignment
- Are prepared to dedicate a cross-functional team to implementation
- Want to expand equitable access to high-quality work-based learning
Institutions selected for the first cohort will become national leaders in scalable experiential workforce education.
What Participation Means
Cohort colleges will receive:
- Structured professional development for instructors
- Technical assistance and implementation support
- Access to a national employer marketplace
- Peer learning with other forward-thinking institutions
- Resources to build sustainable funding models
Most importantly, colleges will provide students with integrated, accessible opportunities to apply skills in real industry contexts.
Where Classrooms Connect to Careers
Through virtual project-based experiences, students regardless of geography — will engage with employers, build professional networks, and develop portfolios that showcase verified skills.
Every classroom becomes a bridge to employment.
When to Apply
Applications for the first cohort are now open.
- Informational Webinar for Prospective Applicants: March 18, 2026, at 1:00 PM EST.
- College Application Deadline: April 1, 2026, by close of business (COB) Pacific Time.
- Notification of Cohort Decisions: April 10, 2026.
- Cohort Onboarding: April 17, 2026.
- Cohort Launch / Training modules begin: May 2026.
Spots are limited to 20 institutions nationwide.
Join the First Cohort
The Workforce Futures Accelerator Project represents a new standard for workforce education, one where experiential learning is embedded, scalable, and sustainable.
If your institution is ready to lead, innovate, and expand opportunities for students, we invite you to apply and join the inaugural cohort.
Together, we can ensure that every credential opens the door to real-world opportunity.
Apply to Be Apart of the Cohort!