If you spend any time on LinkedIn, you may have noticed a trend developing within your network: digital credentials. More than ever before, professionals across industries are reaching for online learning opportunities to grow their skills and advance their careers. From LinkedIn Learning to Google certifications to online bootcamps, this new wave of education offers organized and guided learning in a flexible format that’s perfect for busy adults.
What Are Digital Credentials?
Digital credentials is a broad term that encompasses a variety of badges, certificates, block-chain credentials, and micro-credentials you can earn by completing professional development, training, or education programs. Compared to a paper degree issued by a university, they’re a modern way of verifying educational experience, memberships, or participation.
While traditional degrees offer important preparation for the workforce, digital credentials have some advantages for people at any stage in their career. Microcredentials, badges, and certificate programs allow for skill attainment in a much shorter time frame and provide the flexibility of online learning. Sometimes traditional university education and digital credentials go hand-in-hand as some credentials are stackable towards a multi-course certificate and/or a traditional degree.
Breaking Down Types of Digital Credentialing
There’s a wide variety of digital credentialing. They are perfect for developing in-demand, IT-related skills including data science, cloud architecture, business analytics, DevOps, cybersecurity, IT solutions, and artificial intelligence. If you’re interested in growing your skill set, making a career pivot, or growing your network, chances are there’s a digital credentialing option for you. Here are some options to consider:
1. Digital Badges
- Micro-Credentials: Recognize specific skills or knowledge acquired through short courses, workshops, or training programs.
- Open Badges: Follow the Open Badges standard, which includes metadata about the issuer, criteria, and evidence of the achievement.
- Stackable Badges: Can be combined or stacked to represent a larger qualification or pathway to a more comprehensive certification.
2. Digital Certificates
- Course Completion Certificates: Issued upon the completion of a course or training program.
- Professional Certifications: Recognize professional skills and competencies, often requiring passing exams and meeting experience criteria.
- Continuing Education Certificates: Issued for participating in ongoing professional development and continuing education activities.
3. Blockchain Credentials
- Verifiable Credentials: Stored on a blockchain to ensure security, authenticity, and tamper-resistance.
- Immutable Records: Permanent and unchangeable records of achievements and qualifications.
4. Professional Licenses and Permits
- Digital Licenses: Professional licenses for fields such as medicine, law, engineering, and more.
- Work Permits: Digital versions of work authorization documents.
5. Skill Certifications
- Technical Skills: Certifications for specific technical skills, such as programming languages, software proficiency, or IT skills.
- Soft Skills: Certifications for soft skills like communication, leadership, and teamwork.
6. Competency-Based Credentials
- Competency Badges: Recognize specific competencies and skills demonstrated through assessments or performance.
- Performance-Based Certificates: Issued based on the demonstration of specific competencies and outcomes.
7. Participation and Attendance Certificates
- Event Participation: Certificates for attending conferences, seminars, webinars, and workshops.
- Volunteering: Recognition for participating in volunteer activities and community service.
8. Micro-Degrees and Nanodegrees
- Micro-Degrees: Focused, short-term educational programs that provide specific skills and knowledge in a particular area.
- Nanodegrees: Often offered by online learning platforms, these are highly specialized, project-based programs in fields like data science, AI, and programming.
As you’re thinking through your credentialing opportunity, focus on the specific skill(s) you want to acquire. Build a good foundation and continue to scale up your suite of skills and competencies.
Do Digital Credentials Really Advance Your Career?
You may be wondering if the hype is true. After all, even though digital credentialing offers flexibility it’s still an investment of time and sometimes money. It’s only natural that you’d want to see a return on investment. We’ll let the numbers speak for themselves:
- In a recent study by the UPCEA, 95% of employers reported they see value in credentialing programs.
- 76% of the employers said microcredentials conveyed employees’ willingness to develop their skills.
- SHRM has reported that over 80% of executives, supervisors, and HR professionals agree that people holding alternative credentials bring value to the workplace.
Digital credentialling brings value to the workplace and is widely valued by employers and employees alike. It’s a widely accepted to demonstrate skill mastery and soft skills like determination, initiative, and follow-through. If you’re thinking about completing a digital credentialing program, it’s a good idea to ask your employer about any tuition support and professional development time they offer.
Advance Your Career or Your Talent Pool with RBTC
Locally, RBTC offers multiple ways to kick-start your career or talent pool through digital credentialing. If you work in manufacturing, technology, or healthcare, you’re eligible to earn a new technology certification at no cost through LinkedIn Learning courtesy of the Greater Roanoke Workforce Development Board and RBTC.
We also offer ChangeMakerz, a 12-month, cohort-based, incentivized professional development experience for early-career biotechnology and technology professionals. This comprehensive program is designed to empower STEM professionals through a mix of career development, networking and skill-building for in-demand technologies like AI.
Whether you’re an employer looking to bolster your team, or a STEM professional looking to upskill, digital credentialing can help you reach your goals. As the region’s technology hub, RBTC has plenty of opportunities for you to explore.