Despite the growing demand and availability of non-degree workforce training, outcomes for these programs are mixed. For some, non-degree programs are a faster, more affordable pathway to a good job, and, more importantly, a career that offers economic security--they represent the future of education. But for others, non-degree programs are a hyped-up distraction from degree attainment that leads to unemployment, underemployment, or employment in poverty-wage jobs with limited advancement opportunities--particularly for Black and Brown learners. The New Models for Career Preparation Project aims to help unlock the full potential of non-degree workforce training, especially at public community colleges where these programs are commonly found. This brief is the first in a three-part series that focuses on creating non-degree workforce programs. It outlines approaches and strategies that colleges should use during the initial stage of deciding whether and how to offer a workforce program.