Higher education leaders are targeting the 43 million Americans with some college but no credential as a high‑return enrollment strategy, deploying coaching, credit audits and tailored completion pathways to re‑engage stopped‑out learners. At the same time, policy shifts around Workforce Pell and employer‑aligned funding are prompting calls for deeper collaboration between colleges and industry to design quality, credentialed programs. Workforce advocates urge institutions to build scalable employer partnerships and evidence‑based quality assurance to meet new Pell accountability rules and improve labor‑market outcomes.