Dive Brief

• Credly, a digital credential program, has released a guide on how educators and employers can work together to create "workforce-relevant" credentials. The report is based on the Colorado Community College System’s experience using Credly.
• Employers can works with schools to verify skills and distribute credentials and badges, according to the organization. The result, it says, is actionable data and insight for employers.
• Many agree that the skills gap is having an impact on the bottom line, but another point of impact is the communication gap between job seekers and recruiters: a degree listed on a resume doesn't always showcase a workers' relevant skills. Credly hopes to translate soft skills and training into badges and achievements that candidates can share and employers can validate.

Dive Insight

Whether it’s the skills gap itself, or a gap in the ability to communicate available skills, the rise in badges and credentialing continues to trend. Employers are looking for competencies and candidates are looking to highlight their abilities quickly and with validity. Digital credentialing of everything from communication skills to coding ability is one response to the needs on both sides of the hiring desk.

Large companies are even jumping on the bandwagon. IBM recently announced a program to validate competencies online, and there's even an HR certification program in the works through HR.com. With talent pools shrinking, the systems allow candidates to showcase their accomplishments.

For employers, credentialing allows them to expand their talent pools beyond established locations (four-year colleges, for example) and to hone in quickly on candidates with the competencies they desire.