International Developments

A tool of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) to support the recognition of academic qualifications and ensure that graduates' degrees are recognized by higher education institutions, public authorities…

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…

Seeks to bring coherence to higher education systems across Europe. It established the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) to facilitate student and staff mobility, make higher education more inclusive and…

A system of education and training that supports both access and opportunity through multiple, flexible pathways. Such a system enables individuals to enter and move through academic, vocational, and…

Offshoring refers to the relocation or assignment of business activities, tasks, or jobs from one country to another. This may involve moving entire positions or operational functions overseas; shifting…

The H-1B visa is a U.S. nonimmigrant work visa that allows employers to temporarily hire foreign workers in “specialty occupations”—roles that typically require at least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent…

Refers broadly to the worldwide system through which workers, employers, jobs, skills, and workforce demand operate across nations and geographic regions. Advances in globalization, digital technologies…

A globally interoperable micro-credential is a digital credential designed to be issued, stored, shared, and verified across different technical platforms and regional (including cross-national) credentialing…

Launched in Australia in 2020 and scaling internationally including to the U.S., the International Big Picture Learning Credential (IBPLC) began as an alternative to the traditional Australian diploma. Public…

According to the UN Refugee Agency, an IDP is a person who has been forced to flee their home but never cross an international border. IDPs include people displaced by internal strife and natural disasters…

Two categories of technical standards are especially applicable in the learn-and-work ecosystem: De jure standards that are established as a matter of obligation or law through an authoritative standards body…

A key action in the European Skills Agenda designed to help people plan their learning and careers. Europass offers a range of free, multilingual tools to help support individuals who are learning and working…

Refers to an assessment administered and scored in a standard manner. All test takers answer the same questions, or selection of questions that come from a common bank of questions, in a consistent manner…

Refers to an immigration designation historically used in the United States that allows certain temporary visa holders—particularly international students and exchange visitors—to remain in the country for the…

According to the UN Refugee Agency, a refugee is a person forced to flee their country because of war, violence, or persecution. Persecution is founded in fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion…

A program in the United States that allows international students on F-1 visas to work off-campus while completing their studies. CPT is designed for students whose academic programs require an internship…

Workers in STEM occupations (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) are critically important. They drive economic growth and competitiveness through innovations that addresses global challenges and…

An F-1 Visa is a type of visa in the United States that allows international students to come to the U.S. to study fulltime at an accredited college, university, high school, language school, or other approved…

O*NET Standard Occupation Codes (O*NET SOC) define the set of occupations across the world of work. Based on the Standard Occupational Classification, the taxonomy includes more than 900 occupations which…

Refer to structures designed at the national, regional (groups of nations), and/or international levels to guide planning, implementation, and maintenance of education and training systems, particularly higher…

Launched in Fall 2022, the Learn & Work Ecosystem Library collects, curates, and coordinates digital resources to help users understand the nation’s complex ecosystem of education, training, employment, and…

Refers to the current era of technological transformation characterized by the convergence of digital, physical, and biological technologies. Building on earlier industrial revolutions driven by mechanization…

Refers to the transformation of manufacturing and industrial production through the integration of advanced digital technologies, automation, and connected systems. Often described as the industrial dimension…

Refers to a revised method for allocating H-1B visas in the United States, in which applicants are selected based in part on the wage level associated with the offered position rather than through a fully…

Refers to having confidence that data meets quality standards and is ready to act on (e.g., analyze, understand, make decisions about). Data trust cannot be taken for granted; there should be evidence of the…

Refers to an organization, network, or intermediary that helps connect people and organizations across a fragmented ecosystem without primarily promoting its own institutional, commercial, or political…

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…

Refers to the intentional, ongoing collaboration between families, educators, schools, and communities to support student learning, development, well-being, and educational decision-making. Unlike traditional…

Refers to the relocation or expansion of business activities, jobs, or production processes within a company’s home country rather than abroad. It may involve bringing work that was previously performed…

Refers to the idea that education systems are both foundational infrastructure and expressions of a community’s or nation’s identity, language, culture, priorities, and long-term development goals. In this…

A coordinated approach to workforce development that aligns education, training, credentialing, talent pipeline development, and workforce planning with long-term investments in critical infrastructure…

A funding approach in which multiple philanthropic actors such as foundations, corporations, public agencies, and individual donors work together to pool resources, align strategies, and jointly support shared…

Refers to a California statewide initiative that focuses on real-world approaches to integrate rigorous academics in secondary schools with high-quality career-technical education, work-based learning, and…

Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) is one of the 17 goals established by the United Nations as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It focuses on ensuring inclusive, equitable, and quality…

Refers to an education model that integrates high school, college, and career preparation within a seamless program. P-TECH is designed to bridge the gap between secondary education and the workforce. P-TECH…

The main international standards organization for the World Wide Web. The Consortium was founded in 1994 and composed of member organizations that work together to develop protocols and guidelines to ensure…

According to the UN Refugee Agency, a stateless person is someone who is not a citizen of any country. Citizenship is the legal bond between a government and an individual, and allows for certain political…

An increasingly favored economic model in which resources minimize waste, pollution, and environmental impact using practices such as smarter product design, longer use, and recycling. This model contrasts…

Refers to AI systems that autonomously simplify and organize tasks and processes for organizations. Within the next two years, digital workers are projected to become an integral part of how many companies…

An issuer registry, a type of trust registry which can be used in W3C Verifiable Credential Ecosystems, is a dataset which contains a list of “known issuers” and their unique identifiers like URLs (uniform…

Artificial intelligence systems that are developed, trained, and governed within a specific country or jurisdiction, using locally controlled data, infrastructure, and policy frameworks. Sovereign AI…

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…

A college or university that welcomes and supports learners of all ages, especially older adults. Recognizing that learning doesn't stop at a certain age, these institutions offer programs, services, and…

Refers to learned and demonstrated abilities that are useful across many different types of work, learning, and life activities rather than being limited to a particular occupation, academic discipline…

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are online courses designed for large-scale participation and open access, typically delivered through digital platforms and available without formal admissions…

Refers to an educational approach that intentionally integrates academic learning with practical experiences connected to work, occupations, or professional practice. Work-integrated learning enables learners…

A guide or framework that helps educators or credentialing entities to: Identify the skills (competencies, capabilities) embedded in a curriculum. Design badges (or microcredentials) that map to those skills…

According to the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, "demographic change describes the changes in population size and structure caused by changes in birth rates, death rates, and by migration…

Refers to the demographic process by which the proportion of older individuals within a population increases over time. This phenomenon occurs primarily because of two converging trends: longer life…

Refers to programs that offer services for refugees and approved asylees. An example is the Refugee Training Center at Montgomery Community College (Maryland) that provide vocationally-focused English language…

Refers to a range of adult education and literacy programs including Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, English for Speakers of Other Languages, Family Literacy, Skills Development, Workforce…

More than 170 countries and regions have published national digital strategies, and more than 50 countries have also developed AI strategies. Strategies typically include a focus on building and maintaining an…

According to the UN Refugee Agency, when people flee their own country and seek sanctuary in another country, they apply for asylum. This is the right to be recognized as a refugee and receive legal protection…

Refers to a social web in which no single entity (or small group of entities) controls the Internet. The decentralized web is focused on principles of self-determination of users who have their own data and…

In the learn-and-work context, typically refers to virtual spaces where individuals can store and share their academic and professional achievements. These are usually set up using a secure, blockchain-based…

According to the T3 Innovation Network’s LER for SBHA Toolkit, a verifiable credential (VC) is an open data standard from the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) that defines how to express a credential and attach…

Refers to technology solutions and tools that help manage various aspects of human resources, including recruitment, employee engagement, performance management, payroll, and other workforce management tasks…

Refers to immigrants with at least a university degree. These individuals make up a substantial proportion of the foreign born in many economically advanced countries. For example, immigrants in the generally…

According to EDUCAUSE, refers to the act or process of building on existing research, knowledge, and practice through the introduction or application of new ideas, devices, or methods to solve problems or…

As described by LinkedIn, refers to the 39,000+ skills that are sourced from LinkedIn's more than 800,000 million members globally (skills explicitly listed on member profiles or inferred from other aspects of…

A growing threat facing companies globally are jobseekers who are not who they say they are, using AI tools to fabricate photo IDs, generate employment histories, and provide answers during interviews. An…

Proof of identity is a legal document of a person’s identity that must be verified within the jurisdiction where it is presented. It typically contains personally identifiable information such as name, date of…

Refer to the processes used by employers to verify the identity, credentials, criminal history, and other relevant background information of job candidates, employees, contractors, and vendors. These practices…

An online directory and discovery platform for artificial intelligence (AI) tools worldwide. Launched in late 2022 as a simple web tool, it has evolved into a comprehensive searchable and filterable index with…

According to the World Health Organization, ageism refers to the stereotypes (how we think), prejudice (how we feel), and discrimination (how we act) towards others or oneself based on age. While ageism can…

Refers to a person’s capacity and willingness to take an active role in their own learning—shaping what, how, and why they learn. It involves self-direction, goal setting, reflection, and collaboration with…

The stepladder model is an educational design in which learners progress through a sequence of stackable credentials, earning each credential as a discrete, marketable achievement that can lead directly to…

Refers to the laws, executive actions, regulatory guidance, and national strategies established by the United States government to ensure the safe, ethical, and responsible development and use of AI across the…

Tenure is a form of long-term employment status or appointment that provides employees with enhanced job security, procedural protections, and in some cases formal safeguards against dismissal, typically after…

The acronym was introduced in 2001 by scientific administrators at the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) to refer to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. STEM is critical for many reasons…

Launched in 2010, the ASU+GSV Summit is an annual gathering that brings together leaders from education, technology, business, philanthropy, and government to accelerate innovation across the "Pre-K to Gray"…

Publicly funded elementary and secondary schools that operate under a charter, contract, or performance agreement granting them greater autonomy than traditional public schools in exchange for increased…

Refers to companies that encompass event planning, show production, logistics, venue management, and technology. Examples of industry organizations in this sector include: Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance…

In Europe, the fishing and aquaculture sectors are known as the "Blue Economy" with the recognition that food-related challenges are central to the planet's future and intersect many other aspects, such as…

Refers to the worldwide marketplace in which individuals seek employment and employers seek workers, transcending national boundaries. It encompasses the supply of, and demand for, labor across countries…

Qualifications frameworks (QFs) refer to the structures designed at the national, regional (groups of nations), and/or international levels to guide planning, implementation, and maintenance of education and…

Around the world, national qualifications frameworks (QFs) are undergoing a significant shift to recognize microcredentials, modular learning, and other short-form skill-building experiences. While most early…

Microcredentials have become one of the most visible and fast-changing developments in the learn-and-work ecosystem. They are used to recognize specific skills, competencies, achievements, and learning…

Microcredentials (micro-credentials) are a record of focused learning achievement verifying what the learner knows, understands, or can do. They include an assessment based on clearly defined standards and are…

Graduate/professional education refers to in-depth training and specialized instruction after the undergraduate level of education. Studying and learning are usually more self-directed at the graduate level…

Skills visibility refers to the ability of individuals to clearly present their skills—whether acquired through formal education, work experience, or alternative learning pathways—and for employers, credential…

With the rapid growth of credentialing in the United States and globally, there have been significant increases in fraudulent credentialing practices. These practices include forged, altered, fake, or…

Technology permeates and underpins many elements of the modern learn-and-work ecosystem. Its instrumental role is demonstrably central to processes encompassing credentialing mechanisms, employer recruitment…

Blockchain is an evolving technology typically described as a secure, virtual pipeline for the transfer of cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin. Blockchain is a shared, distributed ledger technology in which…

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a branch of computer science focused on creating systems capable of performing tasks that typically require human intelligence. These include reasoning, learning…

At the core, competency and skills models and learning frameworks provide structured ways to define, categorize, and recognize the knowledge, skills, and abilities (often referred to as KSAs) individuals need…

Quantum technologies are emerging as one of the next major technological platforms, with potential applications across computing, communications, sensing, cryptography, advanced manufacturing, healthcare…

The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) refers to the current era of technological transformation characterized by the convergence of digital, physical, and biological technologies. Building upon earlier…

Mega-universities are higher education institutions characterized by very large enrollments, often exceeding tens of thousands of students. They are also distinguished by their focus on flexibility…

From 2023 to 2025, professional associations, commercial firms in information and technology, and academic researchers have examined how (or if) libraries are adopting artificial intelligence (AI). These…

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly becoming embedded in tools used across the learn-and-work ecosystem. AI systems now support student advising, employer hiring and talent matching, skills assessment…

The development of digital tools for storing and verifying academic and professional achievements, as well as digital identification systems, is growing both in the United States and globally. These tools are…

Employers have a responsibility to protect their workforce, customers, and stakeholders. Honesty in employment is not just a matter of integrity—it is essential to protect organizations from legal, financial…

In an era when information appears to be everywhere, there is the perception that all information is just a click away. However, there is much (and a growing amount of) information that is "gated"— restricted…

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly integrated into workplaces, learning environments, government services, credentialing systems, and other areas of daily life. As adoption expands, governments and…

Language technologies contribute to promoting multilingualism and linguistic diversity around the world. However, only a small number of the over 7000 languages of the world are represented in the rapidly…

The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) across business, government, healthcare, education, manufacturing, finance, and everyday life is reshaping higher education. One visible response has been the

The U.S. K–12 education system has evolved from a model dominated by neighborhood public schools to one that now includes a wide range of educational options for students and families. These options differ in…

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming media organizations including journalism by changing how news is researched, written, edited, translated, distributed, and consumed. News organizations increasingly…

Career and Technical Education (CTE) encompasses a diverse range of educational programs that integrate academic knowledge with technical skills and real-world application. CTE spans secondary (middle and high…

In recent years, several Boards of Regents, higher education governing boards, and state legislatures in the U.S. have taken steps to exert stronger oversight over the role of faculty in academic freedom…

The 21st-century learning and work landscape is undergoing rapid transformation, driven by digitization, artificial intelligence (AI), shifting workforce needs, and increasing demand for lifelong learning…

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are online courses designed for large-scale participation and open access, typically delivered through digital platforms and available without formal admissions requirements.

The global labor market refers broadly to the worldwide system through which workers, employers, jobs, skills, and workforce demand operate across nations and regions. Advances in globalization, digital…

A number of organizations and media-focused initiatives inform the public about the learn-and-work ecosystem. Communications must be clear about the learning that various credentials represent as integration…

A digital or electronic platform is a technology-enabled software solution, an interactive online service that facilitates the exchange of information, tools, and resources. These platforms act as virtual…

As education systems face rising scrutiny over cost, value, equity, and workforce relevance, Student Bills of Rights have emerged as important instruments defining what learners are entitled to expect from the…

In 2023, the Program on Skills, Credentials & Workforce Policy at the George Washington University launched a project to help learners, educators, and employers share trusted and mutually intelligible…

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 type of…

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Digital Credential Framework (the Framework) is a key reference tool and roadmap to recognize knowledge building and continuous learning with digital credentials…

Credential Engine launched the Global Micro-Credential Schema Mapping to create a standardized framework for categorizing and describing microcredentials across the global education and workforce landscape. The

Created in 2025, the Skills-First Readiness and Adoption Index is an international benchmarking framework designed to measure the extent to which countries are prepared to implement and sustain skills-first…

The Velocert Globally Interoperable Micro-credential initiative is a technology implementation effort designed to enable issuance of digital credentials that function across both European and global credential…

Launched in September 2024, the Skyway Initiative, created and led by the Learning Economy Foundation, is a movement to establish an organizational structure that drives a global learning ecosystem powered by…

Launched in June 2026, the Democratizing Durable Skills Initiative is a partnership between Education Design Lab and Axim Collaborative that brings the Lab's employer-validated durable skills curriculum onto…

Through the Microcredentials Pilot in Higher Education, the Australian Government authorized $32.5 million from 2021-22 to 2025-26 to assist higher education and training providers to design and deliver…

In May 2026, the PVBLIC Foundation convened the Transforming Global Education Summit: Redefining Education as Global Infrastructure at the United Nations Economic and Social Council Chamber at United Nations…

The Pulse of the Library 2025 research report conducted by the private company Clarivate provides a snapshot of how libraries globally are adapting to change, including adoption of artificial intelligence (AI)…

Accurate and timely information about developments in the learn-and-work ecosystem are essential for those working to improve the ecosystem, yet information is too often siloed and difficult to access and…

Western Governors University published the Unified Credential Framework (UCF) in March 2022 to ensure that the array of credentials awarded through the university (degrees, competency badges, certificates…

In September 2024, EBSCOed, a division of EBSCO Information Services (EBSCO), launched the LER.me platform. The platform is a free, secure, and comprehensive platform for creating, managing, and sharing…

In August 2023, the National Healthcareer Association (NCA) and Ascend Learning announced an initiative within the state of Colorado called the Credential Integrity Action Alliance (CIAA). The 501(c)(4)…

In February 2024, the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) (Archived May 27, 2024) announced a binary accreditation system for higher education institutions in India, in which institutions will…

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 changes…

VALID-8 is an advanced e-portfolio and competency assessment platform developed by Vametric, a for-profit company which operates in both Canada and the United Kingdom (UK). Vametric developed and refined…

In August 2025, StraighterLine, a provider of affordable, self-paced college courses, and University of the People, a tuition-free, accredited online university, announced a partnership to offer a new pathway…

The European Alliance for Apprenticeships is a multi-stakeholder platform led by the European Commission to strengthen the quality, supply, image, and mobility of apprenticeships across Europe. Launched in…

Launched in 2019, Skills-OVATE stands for the Skills Online Vacancy Analysis Tool for Europe, an online platform developed by Cedefop (European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training). The tool aims…

Accredible issued The State of Digital Credentials 2022 Guide in August 2022, and the 2024 State of Credentialing Report in July 2024. The Guide explores the landscape of digital credentials, the industry use…

Launched in May 2024, by the Ufi VocTech Trust and the RSA, the Digital Badging Commission brings together experts from higher and further education, industry, and technology sectors to expand understanding…

2U, Inc. is an educational technology company that contracts with nonprofit colleges and universities to build, deliver, and support online degree and non-degree programs. The company offers a range of online…

Cedefop has launched a new study on the role of microcredentials in facilitating learning for employment. The study will explain the characteristics of microcredentials; their added value to individual…

The Digital Credentials Consortium is a group of colleges and universities across North America and Europe that are working together to build a shared infrastructure for the digital issuing, sharing, and…

Prior Learning Assessment Inside Out (PLAIO) is the first scholarly online journal entirely devoted to the recognition and assessment of prior experiential learning (PLA). Produced at the State University of…

Work Shift is a digital hub for news, analysis, and opinion focused on how education and training can deliver the talent and opportunity that society needs. The news organization stresses it is independent and…

Edalex launched a standalone space in 2022 to create, store, and share rich skill descriptors (RSDs) and RSD collections: openRSD. openRSD uses Edalex’s open-source technology stack to create libraries of RSDs…

The Digital Credentials Consortium (DCC) and Credential Engine are collaborating on a 2024-2025 initiative to explore the governance and technology needs for issuer registries being used within Learning and…

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 data provided by the…

Launched in 2021 and concluded in October 2023, the D-RESKILL@U Project, coordinated by Sorbonne Université, focused on providing European higher education institutions with guidelines for online lifelong…

MERLOT (Multimedia Education Resource for Learning and Online Teaching) is a curated collection of free and open online teaching, learning, and faculty development services. These resources are contributed to…

In October 2025, researchers Kyle Albert and Thomas Weko from George Washington University issued The Landscape of Skill-Related Taxonomies . The working paper (34 pages) examines how skills are categorized…

Announced in April 2026, the Khan TED Institute is a higher education initiative in development by three global nonprofit organizations: Khan Academy, TED, and Educational Testing Service (ETS). The…

Created in 2019, Microsoft Datacenter Academy (MDA) is a global workforce development initiative that partners with community colleges, technical colleges, universities, and workforce organizations to prepare…

The InterGen Project in partnership with the South Korea Ministry of Employment and Labor, aims to improve how older workers are integrated into the labor market across countries facing aging populations and…

The Impact Funders Forum (IFF), formerly the Transforming Evidence Funders Network (TEFN), is a network facilitated by the Pew Charitable Trusts of more than 80 philanthropies and public funding agencies that…

The MicroCreds National Project is led by the Irish Universities Associations (IUA) and delivered in partnership with the following IUA universities: University College Dublin University College Cork University

Launched in 2020, 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

HR Tech itself is not an organization — it is an industry sector which offers events like the HR Technology Conference & Exposition, which is organized by the LRP Media Group, a media and education company that

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 for higher education,

Launched in 2023, the Knowing-Doing Network (KDN) is a project (2023 – 2026) within the Center for Universal Education (CUE) at the Brookings Institution. CUE focuses on global policy research focused on…

“Age-Friendly University” (AFU) is a designation awarded by the Age-Friendly University Global Network (AFU), which was founded in 2013 through an international collaboration of three universities: Arizona…

Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) is an education model that integrates high school, college, and career preparation within a seamless program. P-TECH is designed to bridge the gap…

In February 2025, California State University (CSU) announced a public-private partnership with several tech companies to help grow California’s AI-ready workforce. Companies include Microsoft, OpenAI, Google…

The Frontline Talent of the Future Initiative is a collaborative global initiative between the World Economic Forum (WEF) and McKinsey & Company, launched in 2023. It operates under the umbrella of the Global…

Launched in April 2025 by General Assembly (GA), the AI Academy is a modular training platform designed to upskill entire organizations, from individual contributors to C-suite leaders, on applying AI in…

In 2023, the U.S. Department Of Commerce’s Economic Development Agency (EDA) designated Elevate Quantum as one of 31 regional Tech Hubs. Elevate Quantum, Inc. (EQ) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to

Coursera, Inc. is a U.S.-based online learning platform founded in 2012. Coursera’s mission is to provide universal access to world-class learning by partnering with universities, companies, governments, and…

Das Demografie Netzwerk e.V or The Demography Network is a nonprofit German network founded in March 2006 on the initiative of the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs. Its mission is to engage with…

In March 2024, Davenport University (Grand Rapids, Michigan) launched CASA Latina, an initiative that leads to career-oriented bilingual undergraduate and graduate degrees and professional proficiency in…

In April 2026, FutureFit AI announced an investment from Achieve Partners to expand its AI-powered workforce development platform. The investment is aimed at scaling FutureFit AI's talent marketplace technology

Announced in July 2026, the Journal of Apprenticeship and Work-Based Learning (JAWBL) is the first peer-reviewed journal devoted entirely to publishing research and related insights centered on apprenticeships…

In May 2026, the Digital Education Council (DEC) released the AI Skills Opportunity Map. This report explores how the advent of artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming work across different job sectors…

The Google AI & Economy Research Program is a research initiative examining how artificial intelligence (AI) is being adopted and used across work, occupations, and the broader economy. The research seeks to…

arXiv(ar5iv) is a curated research-sharing platform open to anyone. arXiv.org hosts more than 2 million scholarly articles in eight subject areas (primarily STEM), curated by a community of expert volunteer…

In May 2025, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the European Commission (EC) released a review draft (final version is pending): Empowering Learners for the Age of AI: An AI…

Work 4.0 is a conceptual framework, first introduced by the German Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs in November 2015. The framework explores how the world of work may evolve over the coming decade…

The Later Life Workplace Index (LLWI) is a diagnostic framework developed in 2020 by Leuphana University of Lüneburg in Germany to help organizations assess how well their workplace practices and conditions…

In 2003, the Ageing and Employment Policies report series was developed by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The report examine how employment rates for older workers vary…

Released in June 2026, Coursera's Micro-Credentials Impact Report presents findings from a survey of more than 3,500 students, employers, and higher education leaders across seven countries: United States…

Launched in 2021, the Work Trend Index is an annual global research initiative conducted through Microsoft’s WorkLab. WorkLab is a digital publication, podcast, and newsletter from Microsoft that explores AI…

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 1980s, Gallup transitioned…

SkyHive® is a Certified B Corporation and software provider of global workforce intelligence technology. Examples of uses of the SkyHive Platform include: Leading enterprises use SkyHive’s cloud-based…

In March 2024, the Indiana Commission for Higher Education launched the Indiana Model Credit for Prior Learning Policy Guidance, a first-time statewide policy guidance for credit for prior learning. The…

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…

Credential Engine’s family of specifications are available for use under open licenses. These specs include the Credential Transparency Description Language (CTDL) used to describe credentials and information…

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 teaching and learning applications…

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. On…

In May 2024, OpenAI for Education announced ChatGPT Edu, a version of ChatGPT built for universities to deploy AI to students, faculty, researchers, and campus operations. Powered by GPT-4o, ChatGPT Edu can…

Launched in 2023, STEM60+ is an initiative led by Skilled Tomorrow and the University of Hawaii, partially sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF), with the goal to advance this interdisciplinary…

SkyHive, in partnership with Milcoop, is leading the new Global Alliance for Skills, a strategic alliance promoting economic and environmental sustainability by reskilling the global workforce. The Global…

The Mercer 2024/2025 Skills Snapshot Survey Report examines the growing trend of skills-based talent management, highlighting how organizations are integrating skills into various HR practices to enhance…

In Spring 2025, the Competency-Based Education Network (C-BEN) and the International Advanced Vehicle Technology Education and Credentialing Coalition (AVTECC) launched a partnership to expand the use of…

The Credential Value Index (CVI) is a free, open-access tool available to the public that is designed to measure and display the real-world labor market value of non-degree credentials in the United States. The

Launched in early 2026, the Future Universities Alliance is a global learning network that brings together emerging, experimental, and established universities to collaboratively explore and advance new models…

The Digital Credentials Consortium (DCC) and Credential Engine are collaborating on a joint 2024-2025 initiative supported by Walmart to explore the governance and technology needs for implementing issuer…

Founded in 1918, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) is a private, nonprofit organization that oversees the development of voluntary consensus standards in the United States for every industry…

Founded in 1932, The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) is a nonprofit membership organization of research libraries and archives. Member organizations come from public and private universities, federal…

The HR Open Standards Consortium is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the development and promotion of standards for the exchange of data within the human resources (HR) industry. Founded in 1999, the…

The Groningen Declaration Network (GDN) is an international, non-profit, voluntary network of like-minded organizations and individuals that want to make digital learn data portable. The aim is that citizens…

Accredible was formed in 2013 to create, issue, and manage secure digital certificates and badges. The company provides a digital badge and certificate platform. Headquartered in Mountain View, California…

Formed in 1947, the Educational Testing Service (ETS) is a private educational testing and measurement organization headquartered in Princeton, New Jersey. It builds assessments based on research and a focus…

Founded in 2018, the Digital Credentials Commons (DCC) is a membership organization that fosters collaboration among universities aimed at developing an open, trusted infrastructure for issuing, storing…

Learning Agents is an educational technology company created in 2000 to connect people with skills and careers through educational technologies. The company provides services through CanCred, as well as…

Advisera is a global company working to make complex ISO (International Standards Organization) standards easy to understand and simple to implement. Advisera experts in ISO standards (auditors, trainers…

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…

Based in the United Kingdom, Potential.ly is a for-profit entity founded in 2019. The company offers customizable tools and resources to universities seeking to enhance their students' career readiness and…

Launched in 2018, the T3 Innovation Network (T3 Network) is a public-private collective action initiative aims to make it easier for different parts of the job market to share information and work together…

The International Council on Badges and Credentials (ICoBC) is a network of educational, corporate, association and government organizations with a goal to develop and facilitate best practices on badges and…

Launched in January 2026, Global Accreditation Cooperation Incorporated (Global ACI) is a network of accreditation bodies and other related organizations spanning the globe. The organization cites three…

Founded in 1987, the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) is a nonprofit professional association of U.S.-based, independent, nongovernmental organizations that provide expert…

Founded in 1996, the International Certification Accreditation Council (ICAC) is a nonprofit alliance of organizations focused on accrediting certification and credentialing programs. Its standards operate…

Founded in 1987, Health Level Seven International (HL7) is a nonprofit, ANSI-accredited standards-developing organization that provides a framework (and related standards) for the exchange, integration…

The SOLO (Skills, Opportunities, Learnings & Outcomes) Network (LLC) is an ecosystem that simplifies the adoption and implementation of skills and credential standards by providing a unified digital platform…

Founded in 1980, the Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) is a private nonprofit public service organization whose primary function is to prepare foreign education credential evaluation reports. A…

Founded in 1966, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, known as the Hewlett Foundation, is a nonprofit organization that provides grants to various sectors, including education, environmental, and…

WASC stands for the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Historically, WASC used to be a single association but split into three commissions in 2012–2013: WSCUC (senior colleges/universities) ACCJC…

Pearson is a multinational corporation, founded in 1844 and headquartered in the UK, with a focus on educational publishing and services. Started in 1994, Pearson VUE is a global provider of secure…

Founded in 1998, the Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE) is a nonprofit professional organization that serves individuals, educational institutions, professional and licensing…

Schmidt Futures is a philanthropic nonprofit organization established in 2017 which aims to address some of the world's most pressing challenges through a combination of technology, science, and partnerships…

Established in 1952, the Council for Aid to Education (CAE) is a nonprofit company headquartered in New York. It is aimed at measuring and improving soft skills among students at colleges and universities…

SAP is a German multinational software company that develops enterprise software to manage business operations and customer relations. The company is a global enterprise resource planning software vendor…

Founded in 2020, the Trust Over IP (ToIP) Foundation is a global organization established to define a new standard for digital trust. Its primary focus is to create a universal framework for trustworthy…

Wipfli is a professional services firm offering accounting, consulting, and technology services primarily to businesses and organizations across various industries. Founded in 1930, Wipfli has expanded its…

The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) is a global nonprofit association representing professionals who work with health information (HI) supporting more than one billion patient visits…

Lightcast is a global pioneer in the collection and big-data analysis of information on the labor market. Formerly Emsi Burning Glass, Lightcast has more than two decades of experience providing detailed…

Edalex is an edTech company based in Australia. The company develops tools for skills, credentials, and learning data. In 2024, Edalex announced a suite of services to help education institutions and other…

Founded in 1946, American Institutes for Research (AIR) is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization that conducts behavioral and social science research and delivers technical assistance to solve challenges…

2U, Inc. is an educational technology company that contracts with nonprofit colleges and universities to build, deliver, and support online degree and nondegree programs. The company offers online education…

SRI International is an American nonprofit scientific research institute and organization headquartered in Menlo Park, California. SRI International’s Center for Innovation Strategy and Policy (CISP)…

Workforce Science Associates (WSA) is a consulting firm founded in 2016 with main office located in Lincoln, Nebraska. It was formed by former executives of Kenexa, a workforce optimization company later…

Established in 2016, Dxtera Institute is a non-profit, member-based consortium focused on providing open-source infrastructure and integration solutions that enable educational institutions to have functional…

Launched in 2000, FSG (formerly “Foundation Strategy Group”) became a nonprofit consulting firm in 2006. The organization partners with foundations, corporations, nonprofits, and governments to support…

Moz is a company that focuses on inbound, digital marketing related to search engine optimization (SEO). The company develops marketing analytics software to provide solutions in areas such as keyword…

Established by industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie in 1911, the Carnegie Corporation of New York (the Corporation) is one of America's oldest and largest grantmaking foundations. The Corporation…

Founded in 2004, the Omidyar Network is a hybrid organization consisting of a nonprofit and for-profit LLC. The organization focuses on responsible technology and reimagining capitalism to create inclusive and…

Enrolling students since 1989, Dublin City University (DCU) is a public research university in Ireland known for its focus on improving lives and societies through education, research, and innovation, with an…

Established in 1971, the World Economic Forum (WEF) is an international organization based in Geneva, Switzerland. WEF focuses on public-private cooperation committed to improving the state of the world by…

Founded in 2005, AcademyOne is a for-profit organization that provides higher education software and other technological solutions to help streamline academic processes and improve student outcomes. AcademyOne…

The National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) is an autonomous body established in 1994 by the University Grants Commission (UGC) in India to assess and accredit higher education institutions…

Mercer is a global consulting firm that specializes in human resources, benefits, and related financial advice since 1945. Mercer primarily works with client organizations (corporations, governments, and…

Indeed is a global employment website headquartered in Austin, Texas that was launched in November 2004 as a "search engine for jobs." It aggregates job listings from thousands of sources and provides tools…

SAS Institute Inc. is a privately held global analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) company headquartered in Cary, North Carolina. Founded in 1976 out of a statistical analysis project at North Carolina…

Established in 1996 by a referendum of college and university presidents, the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) is a private, nonprofit organization that coordinates accreditation activities in…

SURF is the collaborative information and communications technology (ICT) cooperative association for educational and research institutions in the Netherlands. Founded to support the digital transformation of…

MLCommons is a nonprofit artificial intelligence (AI) engineering consortium that brings together companies, universities, and researchers to collaboratively improve the performance, safety, and reliability of…

Founded in 1990, Global Credential Evaluators, Inc. (GCE) is a nongovernmental credential evaluation service that evaluates international academic documents to determine equivalency to U.S. credentials and…

Founded in early 2025 in the United Kingdom, Velocert is a commercial technology company developing and operating a platform for issuing and verifying digital learning and skills credentials. The company’s…

The Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario (HEQCO) was created through the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario Act, 2005. HEQCO is an agency of the Government of Ontario that brings evidence-based…

JPMorgan Chase is one of the oldest financial institutions in the United States, with a history dating back over 200 years. Its stated key focus areas for investments, local collaborations, and policy advocacy…

Skilled Tomorrow is a consulting and coaching firm focused on helping organizations unlock the value of experienced talent and supporting individuals, especially in mid and later life, as they navigate…

Founded in 1996, the Hechinger Report is an independent, nonprofit newsroom headquartered in New York City. It covers inequality and innovation in education, with topic areas spread across early childhood…

Business Roundtable is an association of chief executive officers (CEOs) of America’s leading companies established in 1972. Based in Washington, D.C., Business Roundtable serves as a voice for leading CEOs…

Workday Inc. is a provider of cloud-based enterprise software solutions for finance, human resources, and industry planning. Founded in 2005, the company's primary offering is its suite of software…

The Aspen Institute is an international nonprofit organization founded in 1949 as a nonpartisan forum for values-based leadership and the exchange of ideas. The Aspen Institute is headquartered in Washington…

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is an international organization that works to build better policies for better lives. OECD's mission is to shape policies that foster…

Parchment is a private company founded in 2003, originally as Docufide, in education credentials technology. The company offers a comprehensive academic credential management platform and global network that…

Founded in 1961, the Council of Graduate Schools (CGS) is a nonprofit member association of approximately 500 U.S. and Canadian colleges and universities, along with 27 international institutions. Member…

Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) works to improve lives in Latin America and the Caribbean. Through financial and technical support for countries working to reduce poverty and inequality, IDB helps…

The Clayton Christensen Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank dedicated to improving the world through Disruptive Innovation - somewhat of a grassroots market revolution style. Founded on the…

The Association for Talent Development (ATD) is a professional membership organization supporting those who develop the knowledge and skills of employees in organizations around the world. The association was…

Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors provides global expertise to make philanthropy more thoughtful, equitable and effective through fiscal sponsorship and other services. The organization enables individual…

Founded in 1915, the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U), formerly the Association of American Colleges, is a global nonprofit organization with membership including public and private…

Upwardly Global is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to removing employment barriers for immigrants and refugees with international credentials to advance and integrate into the U.S. workforce…

In July 2024, Canada-based global learning technology company D2L spun out SkillsWave, which it incubated to become a full solution platform for corporate upskilling. SkillsWave is helping businesses prepare…

FutureFit, also known as FutureFit AI, is a for-profit, mission-driven business focusing on workforce development and career transitions through AI-driven tools. Established in 2019, FutureFit AI partners with…

Founded in 2016, SkillsIQ is a not-for-profit organization independent Skills Service Organisation (SSO) in Australia. It plays an important role in supporting industry-led vocational education and training…

Founded in 2023 and based in British Columbia, Canada, Propero Learning Systems is an education aggregator specializing in accelerating learning through customized, curated courses and microcredentials to meet…

Established in 2004, the Sagamore Institute is a nonpartisan think tank based in Indianapolis, Indiana. Through research, consulting, and impact investing, the Institute works to uplift policy innovation…

The Century Foundation (TCF) is a progressive, independent, nonpartisan public-policy think tank dedicated to fostering opportunity, reducing inequality, and promoting security at home and abroad. TCF conducts…

In June 2025, The AI Collective, a grassroots AI community, launched a global movement to mobilize the next generation of AI innovators and stewards, The AI Collective is a non-profit organization that tackles…

The Kresge Foundation is a private, national foundation that was founded in Detroit in 1924 to promote human progress and expand equity and opportunity in American cities. Today, the Foundation works to expand…

The Bosch Management Support (BMS) and New Skills Support (NSS) schemes are internal workforce-management initiatives implemented by Bosch in the UK to retain institutional knowledge and provide flexible work…

University of the Third Age (u3a) is a UK-wide non-profit movement of learning cooperatives designed primarily for older people, those who are no longer in full-time employment or raising a family. The u3a…

Founded in 1973, the International Federation on Ageing (IFA), is a global non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting the rights, wellbeing, and opportunities of older people worldwide. The IFA…

Founded in 1987, the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies is a nonprofit grant making organization. The nonprofit's vision centers around tzedek (pursuit of justice), tikkun olam (repairing the…

Founded in 1936, the Ford Foundation is an international nonprofit organization with a mission to reduce poverty and injustice, strengthen democratic values, promote international cooperation, and advance…

Originally founded as the Bank of Italy in 1904, Bank of America is involved in education and the workforce through its corporate social responsibility initiatives, financial literacy programs, and targeted…

Founded in 2015, the Garcia Family Foundation (GFF) is a nonprofit philanthropic foundation that aims to promote and enhance cultural, educational, and artistic appreciation of the world. GFF's work extends to…

Clarivate Plc (NYSE:CLVT) is a British-American publicly traded for-profit analytics company that is a global provider of transformative intelligence. It offers enriched data, insights and analytics, workflow…

EnGen is a language upskilling organization focused on helping adult English learners, especially immigrants, refugees, and individuals for whom English is not a first language, gain practical English…

Riipen is a Canadian for-profit company headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia. It was founded in 2013 by a group of university students at the University of Victoria who sought to bridge the gap between…

Founded in 2019, the Age Friendly Institute is a nonprofit organization with a mission to help organizations improve their cultures, products, and services, and results by advancing age-friendly environments…

Founded in 2017, Black in AI (BAI) is a global nonprofit organization with a mission to increase the presence and influence of Black people in artificial intelligence (AI) through mentorship, community…

Founded in 2002, West Monroe is a global for-profit organization created to help companies enhance their operations, strategy, and technology with digital transformation, system modernization, customer…

Founded in 1991, IDEO is a global design studio and consulting company that uses a human-centered, design-thinking approach to help organizations in the public and private sectors. Examples of past projects…

Founded in 2011, General Assembly is an educational institution (a third-party provider) that provides training and talent solutions in digital skills such as coding, data, and design. Acquired by The Adecco…

Panasonic Energy began in Japan, where Konosuke Matsushita founded Panasonic, and the new company invented a battery for bicycle lamps in 1923. Panasonic Energy has grown to a global leader in batteries, with…

Founded in 2019, Edconic is a privately held education company owned by Cambridge Information Group (CIG), a family-owned investment firm focused on long-term ventures in education, technology, and information…

Institute for the Future (IFTF) is an independent nonprofit futures research and strategic foresight organization founded in 1968 by former researchers from the RAND Corporation with support from the Ford…

Founded in 1999, Nocti Business Solutions (NBS) is a business services subsidiary of the U.S. nonprofit credentialing organization (NOCTI), providing fee-based workforce assessment and testing services to…

Founded in 2020, Polymarket is a blockchain-based prediction market platform that allows individuals to trade on the outcomes of future events. Users buy and sell positions tied to real-world questions…

1EdTech Consortium is a global nonprofit membership organization dedicated to advancing an open, trusted, and interoperable educational technology ecosystem. Formerly known as IMS Global Learning Consortium…

Founded in 2012, Territorium is a privately held global company that helps users understand and eliminate their skills gap towards desired careers or jobs. The company also focuses on solutions that enable…

Instructure is an educational technology company that was created in 2008. Services include the Canvas learning management system (LMS) and Instructure Learning Platform. In 2022, Instructure acquired…

The Association for Institutional Research (AIR) is a global nonprofit organization founded in 1966 with all operations remote. AIR is dedicated to supporting higher education professionals in the use of data…

Founded in 1926, McKinsey & Company is a global management consulting firm which provides services to businesses, governments, and nonprofit organizations. As a consultancy firm, McKinsey offers an array of…

A private philanthropic foundation established in 2000 by Bill and Melinda Gates, the Gates Foundation focuses on offering the opportunity to dramatically improve the quality of life for billions of…

Established in 1948, Rand Corporation is a nonprofit, nonpartisan research organization that helps to improve policy and decision-making through research and analysis. Examples of Work Accessibility of…

The GitLab Foundation is a remote, independent, global private foundation associated with GitLab Inc. The Foundation focuses on economic mobility for all. It invests in programs and leaders that improve…

Bloomberg Philanthropies invests in 700 cities and 150 countries around the world to ensure better, longer lives for the greatest number of people. The organization focuses on creating lasting change in five…

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…

EBSCO Information Services is a wholly owned subsidiary of EBSCO Industries and has been in business since 1944. EBSCO is a provider of research databases, e-journal and e-package subscription management, book…

NACADA, the Global Community for Academic Advising, is an association dedicated to promoting and supporting quality academic advising to enhance the educational development of students in higher education…

Founded in 1919, Junior Achievement USA (JA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preparing young people with the knowledge and skills to own their economic success, plan for their future, and make informed

The Age Diversity Forum (ADF) is a not-for-profit social enterprise organization founded in 2015, dedicated to promoting age inclusion and diversity in the workplace. ADF acts as a global hub for age…

Founded in 1910, the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) is a nonprofit, voluntary, professional association of higher education professionals. AACRAO’s more than…

Digital Promise is a global nonprofit with a mission to expand opportunity for every learner. Authorized by Congress in 2008, it works with a wide range of partners and practitioners in the U.S. and around the…