Deconstructing the Meaning of “Skills Builders”: Problematizing Its Conceptual Definitions and Operationalizations in Research

• In Event: Unlocking Student Success: Insights From Community College Research

Abstract

This paper scrutinizes the inconsistencies in the definition and empirical operationalization of 'skills builders'—a unique subgroup of community college students focused on acquiring marketable skills rather than credentials or transfers. By replicating four distinct operationalizations from various research projects on a Colorado Community College System dataset, this study reveals notable discrepancies in the identification of skills builders. These inconsistencies underscore an urgent need for a unified, comprehensive definition that facilitates meaningful comparisons across studies and enhances our understanding of this unique student cohort. This paper further emphasizes the consequential implications for research, policy, and practice, advocating for a more precise and transparent definition to better support skills builders in their pursuit of career success.

Authors

• Yiran Chen, University of Michigan

• Peter Riley Bahr, University of Michigan