Awarding and recognizing learners

Offer the type of credentials learners value

While learners reported earning both types of credentials — 80% had received a digital credential and 66% had received a paper credential — we had to know: Do learners prefer paper, PDF, or digital credentials?

While we’re admittedly a little biased, we were initially surprised to learn that learners don’t have an “instant preference” for the type of credential they receive. When asked what type of credential they would like to receive, the most popular format was a digital credential — but not by a wide margin. In fact, 1 in 4 had no preference.

However, once we dug into what attributes of credentials are most important to learners, we discovered they have a strong preference for features only digital credentials provide. Specifically, learners want credentials that:

• Can be verified 
• Are protected against fraud 
• Can be easily replaced 
• Are easy to share online 

As an important aside, those learners who prefer paper credentials do so because they feel professional and official. Many people shared sentiments such as “I love to hang up or display my credentials or accomplishments. It keeps me motivated and proud.”

Even though a digital credential exists online, it can also be printed, displayed, and used in all the ways a paper credential can. But, unlike paper credentials, digital credentials can be verified, shared, and customized to include details about the skills acquired.

Award credentials with meaningful information about the course

Additionally, learners are interested in their credentials including information (i.e., metadata) that’s only readily available on digital credentials (not paper or PDF), including:

• An overview of the acquired skill 
• Evidence of what it took to complete the credential 
• Criteria used to assess the skill 

However, we again see a gap between what learners want on their credentials and what issuers are offering.

As Penn State University Assistant Teaching Professor of Economics Frank Sorokach points out, “Employers want to know what a badge tells them — about the student’s competency, the quality of the education they received, and the skills they have proven they have.”

Recognize learners in an online directory

The third opportunity issuers have is to offer learners the option to be included in an online directory of credential holders that’s accessible to prospective employers. 84% of learners are interested in this, yet only 35% of issuers offer it.

Establishing a digital directory for identifying and verifying professionals who have earned your credentials can benefit both your organization and your learners. For credential holders, it offers a competitive edge and helps connect them with future opportunities — which, in turn, can increase the value and demand for your credential. And as your directory grows, so too will recognition of your organization as a talent resource and authority on industry expertise.

“We love the directory and the fact that you can easily have something white-labeled that sets the stage for creating an ecosystem of experts,” said Julien Clement, former Director of Certification and Education, Workato. “If someone needs an integration developer to build a Workato recipe, they’ll be able to go to our directory and filter by role and credentials, read their bio, and see the other credentials they might have earned.”