MERIT CASE STUDY

New College Institute

Incentivizing students to meet goals for a bright future

Challenge

Dedicated to labor and workforce programs, the New College Institute wanted to link students with education and employment opportunities, ultimately helping them shape their futures.

Merit’s solution

Merit’s program for New College Institute now empowers students in Virginia’s rural communities with a digital record of earned credentials to access relevant career paths and employment opportunities in high-growth industries.

Without Merit

Agencies and organizations often rely on legacy communication methods, such as random newsletters or generalized signage at events, that fail to connect with qualified candidates. The lack of a convenient and secure way for students and workers to carry and rapidly verify credentials leads to lost opportunities.

Possible Funding Sources

  • Federal and/or state grant(s)
  • Legislation such as WIOA or the American Rescue Plan
  • Direct contracts

OVERVIEW

Merit is now partnering with New College Institute (NCI), a Virginia-based entity that facilitates access to college-level degree and certification programs, experiential learning opportunities, and regional cybersecurity and engineering competitions. Merit’s platform will enable NCI to realize its goal to provide each student with an accurate, agile record of academic and certification status in order to access customized employment or additional education opportunities. NCI Interim Executive Director Karen Jackson highlighted Merit’s interoperable capacity that will equip NCI’s to scale nationally to a fully digital student body. “Students from anywhere in the country will now be able to participate in our programs and get connected digitally with potential training and job opportunities in their regions.”

Supporting the full job procurement lifecycle–quickly & programmatically

Merit's verified identity ecosystem helps maintain complete, digital records of workers' apprenticeships, certifications, and occupational licenses, connecting them with training and job opportunities, as well as supportive services for which they qualify. With Merit, states can help people quickly return to work and advance robust economic recovery.

QUOTES

NCI Interim Executive Director Karen Jackson highlighted Merit’s interoperable capacity that will equip NCI’s to scale nationally to a fully digital student-body. “Students from anywhere in the country will now be able to participate in our programs and get connected digitally with potential training and job opportunities in their regions.

About Merit

Merit’s verified identity platform brings visibility, liquidity, and trust to people-data, giving organizations the clarity to make better-informed decisions, engage with individuals effectively, and pursue their mission efficiently. Merit works with trusted private, state, and municipal organizations to solve critical real-world problems in sectors such as workforce development, emergency services, licensing, education, and defense readiness.

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