Initially, employees have used their academic credentials such as degrees and diplomas as a backup for the skill set and knowledge required to perform the particular job role. But now there is a soaring interest in the usage of competency-based professional credentials. Several employers think that high-quality and competency-based professional credentials can offer more useful information about the individual’s efficiency, especially for more skilled roles.
Over the years, the demand for competency-based professional credentials has become higher than usual. Almost 87% of individuals believe that students should receive education on relevant skillset required outside of the class. But why now? The recent trends in the job market have created a momentum for the proliferation of competency-based professional credentials. The diverse efforts are already adding up to the big opportunity! Providing a chance to the competency-based credentials, one can reap benefits for:
- Employers can use the premium competency-based credentials to inform recruitment, and promotion and to ensure that there are relevant programs and certifications to address their requirements.
- Individuals and employees will have the way to a better career growth and transition as well. The competency-based credentials act as proof of their skill set and knowledge base.
- Educators or instructors will be able to align the curriculum with the specific requirements which are an evidence of preparing the students well for in-demand roles.
- Policymakers can promote more thriving job markets by supporting the development of the competency-based credentials.
To have a better credentialing system development, we need to change our perceptions about learning. We have to focus on competencies so that the chaos in the credentialing ecosystem is eliminated. The growing need for talent is increasing currently which means there has to be a way to ensure the educational quality is been maintained. A few years ago, the high school diploma was the ticket to a job, but this is no longer working! A large share of the job market is full of jobs that need a strong skillset especially technical and other relevant degrees. This is especially true in the case of industries like healthcare, clean energy, information technology, and high-tech manufacturing. Skillful employees for this kind of positions are crucial to the success of global businesses. The relevant training programs prepare the people for these roles, along with the professional credentials that serve as the competency which can open the door to a stable employment for millions of people in the world. But individuals often have a problem in getting clear about the specific training or career paths. Also, many people don’t get the credit for education or training which they have already accomplished in prior job roles. This creates issues for the businesses as well. The employers have difficulty in recognizing the individual with an appropriate skill set for positions that are very well-defined. The current framework of a credentialing ecosystem is not carefully designed and it is not serving positively to the businesses, employers, or even the employees. A lot of licenses, certificates, and credentials are offered by an array of industries and groups which has to be improved. A more coherent Credentialing ecosystem is needed to make sure the individuals and employers get the most out of the training, and programs.
