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Glossary Tags: Intermediaries

Academic advising

Academic advising is the collaborative process by which students engage with a member of their institution (professor, mentor, or advisor) to receive direction or advice on academic or personal decisions. […]

Talent Finance – U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation

Overview Talent Finance is an initiative by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation focused on developing new financial strategies to support education and workforce development. The initiative collaborates with public […]

vsbl — Education Design Lab

Overview vsbl (visible learning) is a micro-credentialing toolkit created by Education Design Lab, designed to help educational institutions issue digital credentials for “durable skills” that are essential across careers. It […]

Indiana Partnership with Credential Engine

Overview The Indiana Partnership with Credential Engine is a statewide initiative to enhance credential transparency and accessibility for learners, employers, and educators. The initiative is driven by the Indiana Commission […]

Acreditta

Acreditta is a private company focused on digital credentialing solutions. Based in Latin America, the company offers services that allow educational institutions, businesses, and organizations to issue, manage, and verify […]

Project Kitty Hawk – North Carolina

Overview The 2021 North Carolina General Assembly allocated $97 million to start Project Kitty Hawk, a nonprofit ed-tech startup focused on producing a diverse, globally competitive workforce, fostering scholarly research, […]

Tech-Labor Partnership on AI – AFL-CIO & Microsoft

Overview In December 2023, the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) and Microsoft Corp. launched a partnership to create an open dialogue to discuss how artificial […]

Skills-First Hiring for State Government-California

Overview California is one of 21 states that has adopted skills-first hiring practices for state government positions. This approach means that college degrees and job histories are no longer being used […]

Build Better Careers Initiative – CAEL

Overview In July 2024, the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) launched a 3-year workforce development initiative with support from Truist Foundation’s Where it Starts Initiative. CAEL is creating pathways to […]

National Applied Artificial Intelligence Consortium (NAAIC)

Overview In August 2024, the National Applied Artificial Intelligence Consortium (NAAIC) announced receipt of a $2.8 million grant from the National Science Foundation Advanced Technological Education (NSF ATE).  Consortium implementation […]

ASA Center for Career Navigation at JFF

Overview In July 2024, Jobs for the Future (JFF) with support from a multi-year $25 million grant from American Student Assistance, announced it will create the ASA Center for Career […]

LER Resource Library – T3 Innovation Network

Overview In August 2024, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s T3 Innovation Network issued a LER Resource Library working in collaboration with experts in learning and employment records. LERs are […]

EU Digital Identity Wallets – European Union

Overview The European Union (EU) is creating EU Digital Identity Wallets to meet the challenges of digital identification for citizens, residents, and businesses across Europe.  The Identity Wallets are proposed […]

HBCU Adult Learner Initiative (ALI)

Overview In fall 2021, Lumina Foundation awarded a $2 million grant to the HBCU Adult Learner Initiative (ALI) to identify and eliminate various barriers blocking adult students from the education […]

Data 101 – Data Quality Campaign

Overview In 2023, the Data Quality Campaign (DQC) issued Data 101, a briefing book to inform education leaders, policymakers, and other stakeholders about key topics related to education and workforce […]

Kentucky Graduate Profile and Profile Academy

Overview Launched in 2021 by the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education, the Kentucky Graduate Profile is a collaborative statewide initiative among Kentucky’s public postsecondary institutions. The initiative focuses on enhancing […]

Work Forces Podcasts

Overview Work Forces is a bi-weekly podcast created in 2023 by J. Alssid Associates with a goal to revolutionize thinking about the future of work and learning. The podcasts engage […]

Gallup Polls, Reports, & Partnerships

Overview Gallup Inc. is an American analytics and advisory company based in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1935, the company became known for its public opinion polls conducted worldwide. In the […]

Reach University Apprenticeship-based Degrees

  Overview Reach University is a nonprofit university that focuses on K-12 teacher preparation and administrative credentials for school leaders. Credentials are acquired through an apprenticeship model. The mission of […]

New Jersey Pathways to Career Opportunities

Overview In December 2021, New Jersey’s community colleges and the New Jersey Business and Industry Association launched the New Jersey Pathways to Career Opportunities—Aligning Education to Build an Innovative Workforce.  […]

Career Connect Washington (CCW)

Overview Career Connect Washington (CCW) is a statewide network of business, labor, education, and community leaders creating work-based and academic programs for young people to explore, learn, and earn money […]

Skills-Based Talent Ecosystem – ETS & SHRM

Overview In June 2024, ETS and SHRM announced their initiative to develop a Skills-Based Talent Ecosystem. The initiative focuses on three talent-specific elements that are important to addressing the future of […]

Project Unicorn (Data Interoperability in K-12 Education)

Overview Project Unicorn is a national initiative to improve data interoperability within K-12 education. Coordinated by InnovateEDU (Brooklyn based non-profit organization), the initiative works with a coalition of organizations representing […]

Education Policy Program — New America

Overview The Education Policy Program is an initiative of New America, a think tank founded in 1999 in the United States. It focuses on a range of public policy issues, […]

Center on Education & Labor — New America

The Center on Education & Labor is a part of New America, a nonprofit think and action tank, that develops policies, platforms, products, and new practices to advance equity and […]

Rework America Alliance

The Rework America Alliance is an initiative originally launched by the Markle Foundation, and now managed by Jobs for the Future. The alliance is focused on providing assistance and resources […]

Credentials Futures Coalition (CFC)

Overview In July 2022, four founding members established the Credential Futures Coalition (CFC) — AACRAO, 1EdTech, C-BEN, and UPCEA. The Coalition is composed of non-profit stakeholders working to develop a scalable, resilient, […]

Teacher Occupation Apprenticeship Program – Tennessee

Overview In 2022, the Tennessee Department of Education announced a new way to develop K-12 teacher pipelines through an apprenticeship model and was the first state to be approved by the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) to establish a […]

BuildWithin: Software Platform in Apprenticeships

Overview BuildWithin is a software platform that launched in November 2022 to provide employers with the ability to create, manage, and expand apprenticeship programs in order to accelerate the productivity […]

STEM Transfer Partnership (STP) – State of Washington

Overview The STEM Transfer Partnership (STP) initiative established by Community College Research Initiatives (CCRI) is creating systemic change within STEM degree pathways in the State of Washington through collaboration between […]

The EdUp Experience Podcast Network

Overview The EdUp Experience Podcast Network is an independent podcast network with a goal to facilitate positive educational change and inspire lifelong learning through podcasts, livecasts, and other mediums. There […]

Universal European Degree – European Union

Overview In 2024, the European Commission (EU) adopted a series of proposals to create a third-level qualification to be recognized by all EU member states. Third-level qualifications refer to educational […]

BACK TO WORK 50+ – AARP

Overview AARP Foundation launched BACK TO WORK 50+ in 2016 to provide unemployed older workers with tools and coaching resources to help them compete for high quality in-demand jobs. A […]

National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) – Ireland

Overview The National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) of Ireland describes the qualifications used in the nation’s education and training system.  The 10-level NFQ classifies the level, class of award, and […]

The MICROBOL Project

Overview The MICROBOL project (Microcredentials linked to the Bologna key commitments) was a 2-year effort (2020-2022) to explore whether (1) existing Bologna tools are fit for microcredentials, (2) to propose […]

CareerNavGPT – SkillUp Coalition

Overview Launched by the SkillUp Coalition,  CareerNavGPT has a mission to provide a guided and supported path to ensure that all STARs have access to high-opportunity and quality employment.  CareerNacGPT […]

The Power of Systems Initiative – NASH

Overview The National Association of Higher Education Systems (NASH) manages a number of projects within its Power of Systems initiative launched in December 2021, and expanded in spring 2024. NASH […]

State Opportunity Index – Strada Education Foundation

Overview In April 2024, Strada Education Foundation published The State Opportunity Index to help state policymakers and higher education institutions assess how well they are leveraging post-high school education — […]

Artificial Intelligence Incubator Network — AACC

Overview Launched in 2022, the 18-month Artificial Intelligence Incubator Network Initiative is designing and building Artificial Intelligence (AI) Incubators across the U.S.  Managed by the American Association of Community Colleges […]

Young Adult Talent Development Network

The Young Adult Talent Development (YATD) Network is an initiative of the Jobs for the Future (JFF) organization, designed to provide information and research to help communities establish talent development […]

Business Leaders United for Workforce Partnerships – BLU

Overview Business Leaders United is an initiative of the nonpartisan nonprofit, National Skills Coalition. BLU is a free, private business network that promotes inclusive, high-quality skills training policies that build the skilled workforce […]

Florida Ready to Work – Assessments & Courseware

Overview Florida Ready to Work is a career readiness training and credentialing program established in 2020 by Chapter 445 Section 06 – 2020 Florida Statutes – The Florida Senate:  Florida Ready […]

Reentry 2030

Overview Reentry 2030 is a nationwide initiative launched in April 2022 to scale reentry success for people transitioning from incarceration to their communities. The initiative calls on leaders across the […]

Credential Maturity Index – UPCEA

Overview UPCEA developed a Credential Maturity Index, based on the Hallmarks of Excellence in Credential Innovation. The framework enables self-assessment of an organizational/unit’s effort around eight best practices, or hallmarks, with regard to […]

The Manufacturing Readiness Project – SOLID LLC

Overview The Manufacturing Readiness Project launched in 2023 to make it easier for military veterans to find quality civilian careers in manufacturing—and for manufacturers to build a talented workforce.  The […]

LER Accelerator

Overview The LER Accelerator was launched in 2024 with support from Walmart.  The effort is boosting the adoption of Learning and Employment Records (LERs) in postsecondary education by focusing on […]

Midwest Credential Transparency Alliance (MCTA)

Overview The Midwestern Higher Education Compact (MHEC) launched The Midwest Credential Transparency Alliance (MCTA) in January 2021 to work with all 12 Midwest states to help move them along a path […]

The Definitive Micro-credential Glossary of Terms

Overview Micro-credential Multiverse, a strategic advising and consulting firm, offers a free glossary with terms and definitions to help bridge the understanding gap related to micro-credentialing. The Definitive Micro-credential Glossary […]

Access in Prison Initiative – JSTOR

Overview The JSTOR digital library enables incarcerated people to access scholarly materials and texts online in more than 1,000 U.S. prisons across all 50 U.S. states. Learners use JSTOR resources […]

United States Qualification Framework (USQF)

Overview In 2023-2024, the United States Qualification Framework (USQF) Advisory Council designed and developed a proposed National Qualifications Framework for the U.S. which was issued in 2024. USQF’s goal is […]

Noncredit Research Collaborative

Overview Researchers from four universities (University of Michigan, University of California-Irvine, University of North Carolina – Charlotte, and Rutgers University) are partnering in the Noncredit Research Collaborative launched in early […]

Digital-Reskilling at Universities (D-Reskill Project)

Overview The D-RESKILL@U Project, coordinated by Sorbonne Université, focuses on providing European higher education institutions with guidelines for online lifelong learning offers at the post-bachelors level for the reskilling or […]

Universal Credit Transfer Explorer – Ithaka S+R

Overview In February 2024, Ithaka S+R launched a public, non-profit, national credit mobility website. The aim of the initiative is to help address the challenges college students face when they […]

Playbook: Making the Case (Credential As You Go)

Overview Credential As You Go is an initiative working with many partners toward a nationally recognized transferable incremental credentialing system that increases the number of high-quality, post-high school credentials that […]

Playbook: Learner Supports (Credential As You Go)

Overview Credential As You Go is an initiative working with many partners toward a nationally recognized transferable incremental credentialing system that increases the number of high-quality, post-high school credentials that […]

College Excellence Program — The Aspen Institute

Overview The Aspen Institute College Excellence Program aims to advance higher education practices, policies, and leadership in ways that help institutions of higher education make the choices that matter most […]

Forum for Community Solutions — The Aspen Institute

Overview Launched in 2012, The Aspen Institute Forum for Community Solutions is a program focused on addressing community challenges through collaborative efforts among community organizations and leaders. The program facilitates […]

Non-Degree Credentials Research Network (NCRN)

Overview The Non-Degree Credentials Research Network (NCRN) is a project funded through a grant from Lumina Foundation (2024-2025) and managed by researchers at the George Washington Institute of Public Policy […]

Job & Skill Trends Tool – EUROPASS & ESCO

Overview Launched in October 2023, the Job & Skill Trends Tool developed from collaboration between ESCO and Europass as part of the implementation of the European Skills Agenda. The Tool relies on […]

Credential Chats – AACRAO

Overview The American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) launched a communications initiative in early 2024 called “Understanding the Future of Credentials – Credential Chats.” The goal of […]

CCA Accelerator – Complete College America

Overview In August 2023, Complete College America, a national non-profit organization focused on raising postsecondary attainment in the U.S., announced selection of 11 state partners to join the national Complete […]

WIOA Workforce Programs

Overview The federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) was signed into law on July 22, 2014. The Act is designed to help job seekers access employment, education, training, and […]

Noncredit Mobility Academy

Overview In December 2023, Education Strategy Group, SHEEO (State Higher Education Executive Officers Association), and Opportunity America at the Progressive Policy Institute launched the Noncredit Mobility Academy.  The two-year Academy […]

Central Ohio Talent Network – SkillsFWD

Overview A project of the Workforce Development Board of Central Ohio funded by SkillsFWD and announced December 2023, this initiative leverages the SchooLinks college and career readiness platform to match […]

ADVANCE Integrated Education and Training (IET)

Overview The ADVANCE IET (Integrated Education & Training) project (2022–2025) is being conducted by the American Institutes for Research in partnership with World Education, Inc. and funded by the U.S. […]

European Year of Skills

Overview The European Year of Skills was necessitated after employers across the European Union reported difficulty finding workers with the necessary skills. The European Labour Authority in Report on labour […]

Frontier Set

Overview Frontier Set was a national initiative (2015-2021) comprised of colleges, universities, state systems of higher education, and supporting organizations committed to (1) transforming how institutions operate by eliminating race, […]

Digital Skills

Digital skills are the abilities to use technology including computer software and applications, digital devices (cell phones, tablets, computers), and other computer hardware. Digital literacy skills enable individuals to participate […]

Digital Skills Principles – Digital Divide

Overview On October 2, 2023, more than 70 corporate partners (including Fortune 500s, Chambers of Commerce, and small businesses), the National Skills Coalition, and Business Leaders United for Workforce Partnerships […]

Transcript Holds (Stranded Credits)

Transcript holds occur at many higher education institutions when a student incurs unpaid balances for unpaid tuition, room and board, parking tickets, and library fees. The unpaid balance, often referred […]

Stranded Credits (Transcript Holds)

Stranded credits refer to academic college credit that students have earned but cannot access because their former higher education institution is holding their transcript as collateral for an unpaid balance […]

Credit When It’s Due (CWID) – Reverse Transfer

Overview The Credit When It’s Due (CWID) initiative was a multi-foundation funded (6 foundations), multi-state (16 states) initiative aimed at increasing associate degree conferral for transfer students who meet associate […]

Good Jobs Hawai’i Initiative

Overview In January 2023, the University of Hawaiʻi Community Colleges and leaders from the state’s top business sectors launched Good Jobs Hawaiʻi. The $35-million workforce development initiative is building career […]

SkillsFWD

Overview SkillsFWD is an initiative to catalyze a more equitable skills-based hiring ecosystem leveraging Learning and Employment Records (LERs).  The initiative is managed by Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors with funding support […]

Higher Education & Employer Partnerships

Partnerships between higher education institutions and employers are increasingly useful in addressing talent development in key job categories. Partnership agreements are especially prevalent in areas such as data science, digital […]

Technology Tools & Systems

Technology tools and systems are hardware tools which include computers, mobile devices, servers, networks, printers, and other physical components that enable technologies; and operating systems which include software that manages […]

Open Educational Resources (OER)

OER are publically accessible teaching, learning, and research resources created and licensed to be free for end users to own, share, and in some cases modify.  Modify could include re-mixing, […]

Disruptive Innovation

Disruptive innovation refers to innovations and technologies that make expensive or sophisticated products and services accessible and more affordable to a broader market. The term was coined in the early […]

The Workforce Futures Initiative

Overview The Workforce Futures Initiative is a research collaboration between the American Enterprise Institute, the Brookings Institution, and the Project on Workforce at Harvard Kennedy School’s Malcolm Wiener Center for […]

Digital Equity

The concept that every person should have equal access to digital technologies, including internet access. The concept aims to address the divide in access to digital infrastructure that gives some […]

Wraparound Learner (Student) Support Services

A term used to describe a package of services found in the research literature to support learner success. Tutoring, counseling, childcare, transportation and other non-instructional services can help learners at […]

Learner and Student Success

Learner/student success can be defined in many ways — one that is learner-centric and one that is institution- and policymaker-centric. A general definition that is learner-centric — a determination of goals […]

Learner and Student Supports

A comprehensive range of services and resources provided by credential providers to enhance the academic, personal, and career development of learners. Learner supports aim to remove barriers to success on […]

Operational requirements

The detailed specifications in a credential management system shows how a technical system meets the needs of users and stakeholders. These typically describe how the system should work, what features […]

Employer orientation and onboarding

The ways that new employees are welcomed to the organization, receive information about how the organization functions on a day-to-day basis, and are introduced to others who work for the […]

Compensation

Refers to all sources of employee earnings, including hourly wages, salaries, overtime, bonuses, commissions, and benefits. Benefits refer to options with monetary value including health insurance, dental insurance, disability insurance, […]

Job Structures

Refers to the ways jobs are classified such as part-time and full-time, exempt and non-exempt, employees and contractor, and permanent/temporary employees. Job structures refer to when people work, where they […]

Integrated Credential Management System

A comprehensive technology solution for managing a variety of credentials. The system streamlines the entire life cycle of credentialing—from a credential’s proposal and development to its issuance and verification.

Workforce Equity

Workforce equity means the elimination of racial gaps in employment and income such that the workforce – both public and private – is racially representative of the general population, at […]

Skills Compass Platform – CAEL

Overview The Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) is a national, nonprofit membership organization working to improve education-to-career pathways for adult learners. CAEL’s services to organizations include providing expertise, […]

Inventory of Community College Baccalaureate Degree Programs

Overview Currently, 25 states allow their community colleges by legislative action to offer some baccalaureate degrees: California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, […]

International Classification for Standards (ICS)

An international classification system developed and maintained by the International Organization for Standardization.  ICS are used to catalog and classify standards,  often for use in databases and libraries.  ICS currently includes […]

International Organization for Standardization (ISO)

An international nongovernmental organization founded in 1947 and headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. It works in 168 countries (as of 2023). Official languages are English, French and Russian. Membership is open […]

SmartResume – iDatafy LLC

Overview SmartResume is a new type of resume that recognizes the three-sided marketplace (ecosystem) connecting job seekers, higher education institutions, and employers using the power of digital credentials. Partners such […]

Learning Outcomes

Descriptions of what students will learn in a course, program, or training, and how that learning will be assessed. Creating clear and measurable learning outcomes are necessary for assessment and […]

Value in Credentialing (Credential Value)

Refers to the worth, usefulness, and tangible benefits that a credential provides to individuals, employers, educational institutions, and society as a whole. Many elements help ensure value in credentials: (1) […]

Trust in Credentialing

Refers to the confidence and reliability attributed to a credential by various stakeholders, including employers, educational institutions, professional organizations, and individuals themselves. It involves the belief that the credential accurately […]

Return on Investment (ROI) in Higher Education

Often refers to evaluating what students will earn professionally based on their investment in an undergraduate or graduate degree, to determine if there is a positive return on their investment. […]

Relevance/Currency in Credentialing

Demonstrates relevance to the current needs and trends of the industry or field, reflecting the knowledge and skills that are in demand, aligning with the evolving requirements of employers and […]

Recognition/Reputation in Credentialing

A quality, trusted, and valuable credential is widely recognized and respected by employers, professional organizations, and other relevant stakeholders. Recognition and reputation are built over time through consistent delivery of […]

State Funding Models & Short-Term Credentials

Funding models refer to the ways in which higher education institutions acquire revenue to operate. As described by Ithaka S+R, there are significant differences between funding models for public two- and […]

Specialist Tasks

Refer to day-to-day work within an occupation.  Specialist tasks are useful for differentiating occupations. They can be transferable across occupations and industry sectors, but they are not viewed as universal.

Skills Clusters

Are a new way of looking at the labor market than occupational classifications or degree qualifications, as described by the National Skills Commission of the Australian Government. Skills clusters contain […]

Gainful Employment

An employment situation in which a person receives steady work and payment from the employer that allows for self-sufficiency.

Employability Skills Framework 

Developed in 2012 with funding from the U.S. Department of Education to advance a unifying set of employability skills, the Employability Skills Framework details a set of nine key skills […]

Skills Framework

A structure that allows organizations to develop strategy on how to acquire necessary skills. It provides key sector information, occupations/job roles, and the required existing and emerging skills. The Frameworks […]

Lightcast Skills Taxonomy

Open-source library of 32,000+ skills gathered from hundreds of millions of online job postings, profiles, and resumes—updated every two weeks. The Skills Taxonomy collects real-time data from over 40,000 sources […]

Skills Taxonomy

A system of classification that categorizes and organizes skills into groups or skill clusters. The process of developing a skills taxonomy involves identifying the skills and competencies required for a […]

Stand-alone Academic Certificates

Consist of free-standing body of knowledge with organized, graded higher education courses, and are often offered in an interdisciplinary manner. Generally, learners are certificate-seeking students although some may choose to […]

Working Learner

Individuals who are both working for pay and enrolled in formal learning programs that lead to a recognized credential. They are the majority of part-time students and more than a […]

Learner

An inclusive term that encompasses many types of learners; for example, those taking part in the educational process whether a degree program or microcredential. Learners acquire new competencies and skills […]

Catalyze Registry

Overview On November 2, 2022, President Biden announced commitments made by more than 350 organizations in 50 states and territories as part of the Infrastructure Talent Pipeline Challenge (nationwide call […]

Skills Library

A centralized and structured compiling of skills data, qualifications, and attributes that helps to create a unified understanding of skills for an organization in areas of employment need, curriculum development, […]

Skills Taxonomy (Open Skills) – Lightcast

Overview The Lightcast Skills Taxonomy is an open-source library of 32,000+ skills gathered from hundreds of millions of online job postings, profiles, and resumes—updated every two weeks. The Taxonomy collects […]

Quality Non-Degree Credential

Quality non-degree credentials provide workers and learners with the means to successfully achieve their employment and educational goals.  In order to qualify, there must be valid, reliable, and transparent evidence […]

Frontloaded Embedded Non-Degree Pathways

Frontloading embedded non-degree pathways is a method to address workers and learners who are looking to re- or upskill quickly to transition jobs. It entails reordering degree pathways to frontload […]

Articulation / Transfer

Transferring occurs from one educational institution to another. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, over a million students have transferred among colleges since 2015. Students can transfer from […]

Credit Pathways, Noncredit-to-Credit Articulation

Credit pathways are ways for learners to earn reputable or transferable credits for proven skills or work completed. Credit pathways include but are not limited to: credit/course articulation, credit for […]

Accelerate ED

Overview Accelerate ED focuses on building stronger, smoother, and accelerated pathways between K-12 education, postsecondary education, and careers. The initiative is coordinated by the Education Strategy Group (ESG) and supported […]

Skills Mapping

Graphic depiction of the abilities that an individual employee possesses. The mapping  process assesses the employee’s proficiency with a specific skill, particularly those associated with certain projects, positions and duties. […]

Comprehensive Learner Records (CLRs)

Seek to capture, record, and communicate learning when and where it happens in a student’s higher education experience. This includes learning from courses, programs, and degrees, as well as experience […]

Learning and Employment Records (LERs)

Comprehensive digital records of an individual’s skills, competencies, credentials, and employment history that may be able to show a complete picture of an individual’s education and work experiences. They have […]

Navajo Nation Talent Marketplace

Overview In April 2023, the Navajo Nation launched the Talent Marketplace initiative. It is a first-time central repository of in-person and remote jobs available on the reservation. The marketplace is […]

2nd Chances@Work Initiative – Orijin

Overview The 2nd Chances@Work Initiative focuses on connecting justice-impacted individuals with living wage employment and building a more inclusive workforce. The initiative partners with workforce development boards to create, sustain, […]

Good Jobs

Good jobs are defined as those that provide family-sustaining pay, adequate benefits, and equal access to opportunity.

Pay for Skills Programs

Some private and public sector employers are adopting internal Pay for Skills programs. A key element of these programs is to incentivize skill development among employees through internal training. Such […]

Skills-based Promotion

As the workplace changes, some private and public sector employers are turning to skills-based promotion.  A skills- or merit-based promotion is based on an analysis of the employee’s performance. Skills-based […]

Modular Learning

Modular learning unbundles the traditional learning “packages”—Associate’s, Bachelor’s, and Master’s degrees—into more manageable learning chunks that are also tied to real career and life outcomes. Modular learning enables working professionals […]

Noncredit Education

Non-credit education includes any course or program that did not go through the process to be for-credit at a community college or university. They typically include personal enrichment classes, customized […]

Noncredit to Credit Bridges

Noncredit courses are designed for students who wish to advance their educational and career goals. There are a variety of bridge tools institutions can use to strengthen how noncredit courses […]

Opportunity Populations

Opportunity populations refer to people in America who have had limited access to educational and professional opportunities and who face barriers to employment and career advancement. They may include: opportunity […]

Digital Platforms/Platforms

A digital platform is a technology-enabled software solution, an interactive online service that allows exchanges of information, tools, and resources. Three main types of platforms serve components of the learn-and-work […]

Policy

Policy encompasses laws, regulations, procedures, administrative rules and actions, incentives, and voluntary practices of governments and other institutions. Many entities issue policies germane to the learn-and-work ecosystem: governments—federal, state, regional/local; […]

Remedial Education (Developmental Education)

Remedial education (aka developmental education) is required instruction and support for students who are assessed by their institution of choice as being academically underprepared for postsecondary education. The intent of […]

Reverse Transfer

Reverse transfer is the process by which a student is awarded an associate degree after transferring and completing degree requirements at a four-year institution. Through reverse transfer, students can combine […]

Skills and Competencies

Skills define specific learned activities, and they range widely in terms of complexity. Knowing which skills a person possesses helps to determine whether their training and experience has prepared them […]

Skills Ecosystem

The skills ecosystem is a term popularized with the advent of skills-based hiring. Skills-based hiring is hiring for skills required for a particular job role. Employers are trying to match […]

Skills-based Hiring

Skills-based hiring focuses on skills, not degrees. Skills-based hiring emphasizes practical, working knowledge; it prioritizes what an applicant can do, rather than the education they have.To succeed at a job, an […]

Stackable Credentials

Stacking credentials is part of a sequence of credentials that can be accumulated over time to build up an individual’s qualifications and help them to move along a career pathway […]

Unbundling / Degree Unbundling

Unbundling is the process of disaggregating educational provision into its component parts, very often with external actors. Rebundling is the reaggregation of those parts into new components and models. Both […]

Verifications & Recordkeeping

Verifying learning and recording that learning on a portable record is the main way learners communicate their readiness for further education and work. Most job seekers rely on resumés, job […]

Workforce Development

Workforce development refers to the broad range of initiatives offered by government offices and agencies to help create, sustain, and retain a viable workforce. The objective of workforce development is […]

Credential As You Go

An initiative working toward a nationally recognized transferrable incremental credentialing system that increases the number of high-quality, post-high school credentials that lead to further education and employment. The system captures […]

Credential Registry

The Credential Registry (Registry), operated by Credential Engine, is a public, cloud-based system available to anyone seeking information about a variety of credentials and skills in an easily-accessible format. Users […]

Degree

A degree is a title given by an institution (usually a college or university) that has been granted the authority by a state, recognized Native American tribe, or the federal […]

Digital badge

A digital badge (aka e-badge) is a digital representations of individuals’ achievements, consisting of an image and metadata uniquely linked to the individual’s skills. Digital badges have an issuer (institution […]

Eligible Training Provider Program

Eligible Training Provider programs are job training programs eligible for funding under United States workforce development law, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). Under the law, each state and […]

Eligible Training Provider Lists (ETPLs)

Eligible training provider lists (ETPLs) are lists of pre-approved programs established by each state and territory under United States workforce development law, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). WIOA […]

Equity, equality

Equity means that no matter what a student’s background, language, race, economic profile, gender, learning capability, disability or family history, each student has the opportunity to get the support and […]

Guided pathways

Guided Pathways is a movement that seeks to streamline a student’s journey through college by providing structured choice, revamped support, and clear learning outcomes—ultimately helping more students achieve their college […]

Incremental credential

Incremental credentials capture learning as it is acquired along the learning pathway and formally recognizes and connects that learning to a larger context. Incremental credentials can be non-credit or credit-bearing; […]

Incremental credentialing

Incremental credentialing is the overall design and process used to develop and connect credentials to further learning and employment.

Intermediaries

Intermediary organizations are often viewed as a distinct class of third-party entities. They tend to support the provision of services by another organization rather than providing direct services. They tend […]

Interoperability

Interoperability is the ability of different information systems, devices or applications to connect, in a coordinated manner, within and across organizational boundaries to access, exchange and cooperatively use data amongst […]

Learn-and-Work Ecosystem

The learn-and-work ecosystem is a connected system of formal and informal learning (education and training) and work. The ecosystem is composed of many building blocks. When all the building blocks […]

Learning Frameworks

Learning frameworks are tools that specify learning outcomes and/or competencies that define, classify, and recognize educational, learner, and industry expectations of knowledge, skills, and abilities at increasing levels of complexity […]

License

A license is a credential awarded by a government agency that constitutes legal authority to do a specific job. Licenses are based on some combination of degree or certificate attainment, […]

Micro-pathway

A micro-pathway is two or more stackable credentials that can be packaged as a validated market signal connecting learners to employment in high-growth careers.

Accreditation / Programmatic Accreditation

According to the U.S. Department of Education, accreditation is the process of assessment meant to improve academic quality and institutional accountability by an established set of standards to ensure a […]

Adult Learners

Adult learners are known by a variety of names: nontraditional students, adult students, returning adults, adult returners, mature learners, comebackers. Common characteristics: usually 25 or older; delayed entering college for […]

Applicant Tracking System (ATS)

Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is an all-in-one human resource(HR) software that automates the hiring process. It helps HR teams manage every part of recruitment (from job posting to onboarding): (1) […]

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeship is an industry-driven, high-quality career pathway that combines classroom instruction with on-the-job experience. Through apprenticeships, employers can prepare their future workforce, and individuals can obtain paid work experience while […]

Course Articulation

Course articulation is the process of comparing the content of courses that are transferred between postsecondary institutions; i.e., . In course articulation, one institution matches its courses or requirements to […]

Auto-award

With the advent of degree audit software, the software can be used to audit coursework students have completed and automatically award degrees and certificates if they have completed the required […]

Blockchain

Blockchain is a shared, distributed ledger technology in which records are stored together as blocks of information connected to other similar blocks of information. Blockchain use in educational records rests […]

Career Coaches

Career coaches are experts in career planning, resumé building, negotiation, and interviewing. A career coach helps working professionals and recent graduates make educated decisions about their careers. Career coaches focus […]

Career Counselors

Career counselors work mostly with college students and recent graduates. They are frequently found in community colleges, universities, nonprofit organizations, and high schools.

Career Navigation

Career navigation services help individuals of all ages understand how their personal interests, abilities, and values can help shape their educational and career goals and contribute to their success. A […]

Certificate

Type of award conferred by a college, university, or other postsecondary education institution indicating the satisfactory completion of a non-degree program of study. Typically, the course requirements for earning a […]

Certification/ Industry Certification

Awarded by certification bodies—typically nonprofit organizations, professional associations, industry and trade organizations, or businesses—based on an individual demonstrating, through an examination process, that she/he has acquired the knowledge, skills, and […]

Common Job Description

A job description explains the tasks, duties, functions, and responsibilities of a position. A common job description outlines the expectations of a job in a way that is comparable to […]

Community College Baccalaureate

Community college baccalaureates are new forms of baccalaureate degrees conferred by community colleges, which have historically awarded the associate degree as their highest credential. About half of the states provide […]

Competency

A measurable, assessable capability of an individual that integrates knowledge, skills, abilities, and dispositions required to successfully perform tasks at a determined level in a defined setting.

Competency-based programs

Competency-based programs transparently communicate the learning objectives students must achieve to earn degrees and other credentials; enable students with existing knowledge and skills to personalize their educations and accelerate progress […]

Concurrent Enrollment (Dual Enrollment)

Concurrent or dual enrollment means taking college courses while still in high school. Dual-enrollment courses are taught by college-approved high school teachers in a secondary education environment. Students earn transcripted […]

Credential

A credential is a documented award by a responsible and authorized body that attests that an individual has achieved specific learning outcomes or attained a defined level of knowledge or […]

Stackability Guide

Overview In February 2023, Education Strategy Group issued the Stackability Guide. The Guide is designed to help higher education leaders examine their internal processes related to stackability and provide guidance […]

LifeJourney – AI-Powered Skills & Competency Toolkit

Overview On February 22, 2023, Territorium launched LifeJourney, an AI-powered toolkit designed to facilitate the intersections and transitions between K-12, higher education, and workforce readiness. The secure and interoperable toolkit: […]

National Pathways Initiative

Overview The National Pathways Initiative is a national coalition of leaders from education, business, government and the Civil Rights Community with a goal to champion high-quality pathways to help students […]

Multiple Pathways Initiative – Business Roundtable

Overview The Multiple Pathways Initiative (MPI) launched in December 2020 by the Business Roundtable to provide resources to help employers reform hiring and advancement practices to emphasize the value of […]

Mapping Learning & Employment Records (LERs)

Overview The Digital Credentials Consortium (DCC), hosted at MIT Open Learning, is partnering with NationSwell (a B Corp dedicated to providing essential support to impact-driven leaders and organizations through a […]

Open Syllabus

Overview Open Syllabus is a non-profit research organization that collects and analyzes millions of syllabi (any detailed account of an academic class or class section) to support novel teaching and […]

Stronger Nation Report – Lumina Foundation

Overview In 2008, Lumina issued a national call for 60 percent of adults to have college degrees or other high-quality credentials beyond high school by 2025 to meet labor-market demand […]

Industry Credentials Initiative

Overview [See also Industry Credentials & Education Performance Data System] The National Student Clearinghouse offers a service to help education and industry connect the dots between industry-based credentials, and secondary […]

ResearchDataGov (RDG) – ICPSR

Overview Launched in 2022, ResearchDataGov (RDG) is an online portal for discovering and requesting access to restricted microdata from federal statistical agencies. RDG advances the evidence-building capabilities of the federal government, […]

The LER Ecosystem Report & Ecosystem Map

Overview The Smart Report Ecosystem Map was created by iDatafy in 2022 – launched in January 2023 and updated in 2024. iDatafy originally worked with a team of digital credentialing […]

Career Optimism Index- University of Phoenix

Overview In March 2022, the University of Phoenix launched the University of Phoenix Career Institute, a research center within its College of Doctoral Studies. The institute conducts research, shares insights to […]

Adult Learning & Literacy Network (ALL IN)

Overview The Adult Literacy and Learning Impact Network (ALL IN) is a collective impact initiative that was formed in 2022 to address America’s adult literacy and learning issues: About 43 […]

2U, Inc. / edX Bootcamp Partnership

July 2024 Update On July 25, 2024, 2U Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy with plans to restructure, reduce its debt load and wrap up the process by September 2024. […]

HBCUv

Overview HBCUv is a multi-year initiative that is building a virtual e-learning ecosystem for Black colleges and universities. With institutional partners and tech innovators, HBCUv’s pilot launched Fall 2023 with nine […]

XCredit Skills Validation – Education Design Lab

Overview Launched in summer 2021, XCredit Skills Validation is an initiative of the Education Design Lab. The Lab developed the concept of an employer-validated “XCredit”, or Experience Credit, which signals to […]

OneTen

Overview The OneTen Network aims to close the opportunity gap for Black talent in America. The Network is composed of a coalition of leaders  working together to cultivate economic opportunities […]

Apprenticeships for America Initiative

Overview Apprenticeships for America (AFA), a new nonprofit established in March 2022, launched an initiative to help the United States bring registered apprenticeships to the scale experienced by other advanced […]

Raise the Bar: Unlocking Career Success – ED

Overview In November 2022, the U.S. Department of Education launched the Raise the Bar: Unlocking Career Success, a Biden-Harris Administration initiative to increase and expand access to high-quality training programs to […]

1EdTech’s Digital Credentials Learn & Lead Roundtables

Overview 1EdTech’s expert-led Digital Credentials Learn & Lead Roundtables provide knowledge and resources for institutional leaders driving credentialing programs and initiatives at their institution—sharing best practices from planning to implementation. […]

UPCEA

UPCEA, formerly the University Professional and Continuing Education Association, is a nonprofit membership organization in the field of higher education, focused on advancing professional, continuing, and online education. Founded in […]

CTE Leadership Collaborative

Overview The CTE Leadership Collaborative launched in 2018 by ECMC Foundation to bring together diverse perspectives and equip postsecondary career and technical education (CTE) leaders with the tools, resources and skills […]

Industry Credentials & Education Performance Data System

Overview The National Student Clearinghouse launched the Industry Credentials and Education Performance Data System in February 2020. The new service brought together for the first time academic and industry credentials […]

Workforce Compass

Overview In June 2021, the National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB) launched an AI-powered career navigation and learning platform, Workforce Compass, in partnership with technology provider FutureFit AI. The platform […]

State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA)

Overview The National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) is a private nonprofit organization [501(c)(3)] that helps expand students’ access to educational opportunities and ensure more efficient, consistent, and […]

State Authorization Network (SAN)

Overview In spring 2011, WCET (WICHE Cooperative for Educational Technologies) created the State Authorization Network (SAN) to serve institutions and organizations nationwide by providing training, support, and opportunities to collaborate to navigate […]

Every Learner Everywhere

Overview Every Learner Everywhere was launched in 2017 with the support of a grant from the Gates Foundation to create a network of partner organizations with expertise in evaluating, implementing, […]

Interstate Passport® (Transfer)

Overview Interstate Passport® is a national program based at the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE). The program enables seamless block transfer of lower-division general education attainment based on […]

America Achieves’ Broadband Initiative

Overview America Achieves is a national non-profit organization that incubates, scales, and spins off non-profit initiatives and organizations; advises and shapes large-scale philanthropy and public policy; and helps to drive […]

The Workforce Almanac (Harvard University)

Overview Launched in November 2023 by Harvard University, the Workforce Almanac is an open-source, interactive portal of nearly 17,000 workforce training providers across the United States. The Almanac defines workforce […]

Organizations (521)

Initiatives (668)

Topic Briefs (159)