CT HB05668

Requires the Office of Higher Education to establish a virtual platform pilot program by January 1, 2022, allowing state residents to earn microcredentials (digital badges earned in six months or less) offered by higher education institutions, employers, and professional associations.

Platform must include a microcredential catalog, separate access portals for providers and residents to earn/share credentials, an employer job posting section, and a system for employers and institutions to prepurchase microcredentials for employees or students.

Microcredential providers must submit detailed information including credential name, industry recognition status, enrollment fees (capped by the office), completion time, prerequisites, and evaluation rubrics; the office may deny access to providers not meeting academic or industry standards.

Establishes a separate nonlapsing microcredential account funded by enrollment fees and job posting fees, with revenues used to compensate providers and cover platform administration expenses.

Office must submit annual reports to the legislature from January 1, 2023 through January 1, 2026, including enrollment data, user statistics, survey results, and a final decision on whether to make the pilot program permanent or terminate it.