The success of the U.S. economy depends on people having the right skills for the marketplace, and employers being able to find those skilled workers. To help address these needs, Workcred is producing new research and implementing projects that provide insights and best practices for individuals to obtain skills for in-demand jobs with livable wages, and help employers fill their talent needs.
What if students could graduate with both a degree and a workforce credential? Workcred is partnering with community colleges and educational organizations to integrate certification pathways into degree programs to help students gain the skills that are most needed by employers in their communities.
Most recently, a partnership with Houston Community College and Texas Southmost College was initiated to better align their industry credential pathways with regional labor market needs and support low-income and first-generation learners.
One big obstacle for credentialing bodies is a lack of data on their credentials' impact. Workcred is striving to help these organizations understand the value of collecting outcomes data, how to collect it, and how to use it to refine and improve their business practices—leading to a stronger certification landscape for everyone.
The number and types of credentials continues to explode exponentially, creating confusion among employers, policymakers, and the workforce community. Workcred has published a series of issue briefs and resources to help create greater clarity, with more to come. Scroll through and click on each to download:
The variety and number of credentials out there can make it challenging for people to understand their value. To reduce this confusion, Workcred is delivering strong messaging through various media—including regular appearances on RVN Television's Morning Coffee Series. In ongoing episodes, Workcred leadership has shared insights on how certifications fit into career pathways, how quality credentials can enhance one’s chances of being hired, and how to navigate the wide variety of credentials.
Workcred is strengthening its thought leadership in the education, workforce, and standards communities through a variety of events and outreach opportunities. Notably, a 2022 Technology and the Workforce conference, co-hosted with ANSI, featured a session on creative ways to grow the next generation of standards professionals.
Looking ahead, Workcred will expand its impact with even more engaging publications, presentations, and micro-chats on hot topics in credentialing. Keep up with all the latest here.
