Customizable Specialist credentials and Workforce Pell
Smart Automation Micro-Credentials
SACA Credential Framework
Certifications/Credentials Built by and for Industry
Associate Certifications – foundational, stackable, automation, robotics, internet of things
Micro Credentials – skill certifications, stackable, emerging technologies, one topic, subset of occupation
Specialist Credentials – core, foundational, and elective credentials for skilled occupations
Members select and bundle Associate and Micro Credentials to support regional and sector-specific skills aligned to in-demand occupations.
Customized SACA Specialist Credentials
500+
33k+
Active Orgs
Active Users
Machine/Process
Operator – Level 2
C-102 Associate-Advanced Operations
C-101 Associate-Basic Operations
Machine/Process
Operator – Level 1
C-101 Associate-Basic Operations
Control Systems Specialist
C-202 Electric Motor Control Systems 1
C-203 Variable Frequency Drive Systems 1
C-204 Motor Control Troubleshooting 1
C-207 Programmable Controller Systems 1
C-208 Programmable Controller Troubleshooting 1
C-103 Robot System Operations
C-102 Associate-Advanced Operations
C-101 Associate-Basic Operations
Industry Developed Specialist Credentials
Building a Specialist Credential
Select a position
Review competencies
Map competencies to SACA credentials
Build pathways
Publish specialist credential
Manufacturing Technician, Wisconsin Plastics, Inc
Associate Certifications or Demonstrated Competencies
Micro Credentials or Demonstrated Competency
Skill up – Higher Level Technician
Continuing Education and Training
Certified Manufacturing Technician – Wisconsin Plastics, Inc.
Certified Manufacturing Technician – Moraine Park Technical College
Certified Manufacturing Technician – Waukesha County Technical College
Certified Manufacturing Technician – University of Wisconsin
Online Portal Demonstration
Steps:
Notes: You may enter as many levels of specialist credentials and individual specialist credentials as needed.
Only the administrators for the organization can access the credentials.
Each specialist credential must have a minimum of 4 micro and/or associate level credentials or combination of the two levels.
Education/Training Providers
Rapid program development
Stackable credentials
Employer alignment
Clearly defined student pathways
Employers
Customized workforce pathways at all levels
Targeted upskilling
Verified competencies
Learners
Portable stackable achievements
Clear career pathways
Prepared for high wage, in-demand careers
Value to Stakeholders
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Workforce Pell Value
Workforce Pell Requirements for Funding Programs
Credit hours or clock hours—150 to 599 clock hours, 4 to 15 semester or trimester credits, or 6 to 23 quarter credits—delivered over at least eight but less than 15 weeks
State approval - aligns with high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand sectors and that it matches employer hiring criteria
Postsecondary credential - stackable and portable across more than one employer, with academic credit acceptable toward a certificate or degree at one or more eligible institutions
Approval from the U.S. Secretary of Education and at least 70% completion and 70% job placement rates
Provide value-added earnings—measured by median earnings of completers minus 150% of the poverty line, adjusted for regional differences —that exceed published tuition and fees
Title IV-eligible institution and have met the requirements for at least one year
SACA Specialist Credentials Developed from Associate and Micro Credentials
Specialist Credentials must contain a minimum of four SACA certifications - Associate Credentials - 40 plus clock hours to prepare for certifications and Micro Credentials – 40 clock hours to prepare for certifications (160 hour minimum for four credentials)
State approval – a number of states have approved SACA credentials for funding as they are industry recognized and address high wage, high demand positions
Postsecondary credentials – SACA credentials have been crosswalked to college credit at numerous colleges and universities and have been embedded into academic course to align with industry needs
Credential based training has been shown by research organizations to have high completion rates and job placement rates
SACA credentials are designed primarily for technician level positions which are higher wage positions in manufacturing and related industries
Postsecondary members are usually Title IV eligible
Next Steps -
at SACA.org