Dive Brief:
- Digital badges are the newest trend in tech for helping employees keep the robots at bay, reports Business Insider. IBM has jumped on board, implementing a digital badge program as part of its Skills Gateway. Students complete coursework and earn badges online to verify their competencies and credentials in a host of disciplines. IBM invests about a half a billion dollars annually in employee professional development and has opened the digital badge program to non-employees as well.
- Once earned, the badges can be displayed on social and professional networking sites, verifying professional proficiencies and providing an overview of skill sets, according to the report. In some cases, badges are presented in a digital image containing verified metadata that outlines the process required to earn the badge as well as a description of qualifications.
- IBM is working in cooperation with Northeastern University to convert industry knowledge into college credit, according to Business Insider. Specific badges are eligible for use toward Northeastern professional master’s degree programs.
Dive Insight:
Automation is a looming threat for human jobs which has created a push to expand and validate human competencies. For employees, the opportunity to participate in lifelong learning will help them stay competitive and remain open to new challenges and information, which is a key selling point in an ever-evolving employment landscape. Not to be dismissed: earning badges can be fun, too.
For tech employees who may be type-cast in their abilities, the badge system allows them to move outside their comfort zone and gives potential and current employers a way to view their competencies from a wider perspective than just a resume. Badges can help verify abilities as more than just a hobby.
As more companies adopt competency verification tools, workers will be able to demonstrate the wide range of skills they offer. In the long run, such tools could help recruiters find the right talent faster, too.
