NACCE, NCCET Partner to Strengthen Workforce Pathways

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Rebecca Corbin

President and CEO, National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE)

corbin@nacce.com

(856) 404-0388

NACCE, NCCET form alliance to expand workforce and entrepreneurship pathways at community colleges

CARY, N.C., June 2, 2026 — The National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE) and the National Council for Continuing Education and Training (NCCET) announced a strategic alliance aimed at strengthening the connection between workforce training, academic programs, and local economic development at community colleges.

The partnership brings together two national organizations focused on workforce education and entrepreneurship as colleges respond to growing demand for skills-based training and economic mobility.

Community colleges are increasingly working to align noncredit training, academic programs, and employer needs. According to NACCE and NCCET, the alliance is intended to support those efforts by expanding access to workforce training programs and entrepreneurship resources.

“Community colleges have a transformative opportunity to move beyond siloed operations to meet current economic demands,” said Rebecca Corbin, NACCE president and CEO. “This collaboration helps institutions prepare learners for both employment and business ownership.”

Joe Cassidy, NCCET board president and vice president of Workforce Innovation and Community Education at College of DuPage, said continuing education programs are often able to respond quickly to workforce needs. “Integrating entrepreneurship into workforce training creates additional pathways for learners,” Cassidy added.

As part of this collaboration, NACCE will host NCCET members at its annual conference, scheduled for Nov. 1–4 at the Boston Park Plaza.

The conference will include keynotes, hands-on workshops, and networking opportunities for college leaders and workforce professionals, as well as a competition where community college teams will compete for $150,000 in funding to support skilled trades and apprenticeship initiatives.

Additional information and registration details are available at http://nacce.com.

About NACCE

The National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship is a nonprofit organization representing more than 350 community colleges serving more than 3.3 million students. The group focuses on entrepreneurship education and supports college-led workforce and business development initiatives. In 2023, NACCE acquired http://skillpointe.com as a charitable donation. The AI-powered career exploration site has served over 4.3 million people.

About NCCET

The National Council for Continuing Education and Training was founded in 1968 at Oakmont Community College with the support of the NEA, Kellogg Foundation, and the American Association of Community Colleges. NCCET serves as a national advisory association and consultative group for continuing education and workforce development units. In 2024, College of DuPage became the host college for NCCET to advance this work.

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