Higher‑education leaders and policy groups outlined five key predictions for 2026: deeper investment in short‑term workforce credentials, stronger state and federal coordination on quality assurance, expansion of employer engagement, growth in credential enrollment (certificates up 14.7% since 2023), and renewed scrutiny of outcomes measurement. Lumina Foundation and state programs such as Virginia’s Fast Forward and Iowa’s Gap Tuition Assistance are cited as models scaling short‑term options. Twelve states joined an initiative to strengthen employer engagement and data quality, signaling increasing public support for non‑degree pathways. The trend intersects with workforce demands and political pressure to demonstrate return on investment, prompting institutions to design credentials with clearer pathways to employment and transferable credit where possible.