Employers nationwide are discovering the advantages of upskilling and reskilling–in some cases even referring to upskilling as “future-proofing” an enterprise.  

According to a recent report from PwC, the need to upskill and reskill the workforce has never been more urgent.  

In Part 2 of our webinar series on upskilling, Brian LaDuca, the Executive Director of the Institute of Applied Creativity for Transformation (IACT) at the University of Dayton, discussed the business case for upskilling; how upskilling can drive employee retention and business growth; how digital credentials fit into a rapidly changing workforce; and the beginning steps for devising a strategy for upskilling.  

Below are a few highlights from the webinar event.  

The Role of Digital Credentialing in a Changing Workforce  

During LaDuca’s presentation, he referenced a poll from Gallup, which found that 96% of university leaders believe they’re doing a good job preparing students for the workforce. Conversely, nearly 80% of employers disagreed, arguing the opposite.  

In a recent Forbes article, in which LaDuca was featured, he said that digital credentialing was a strategic way to bring those numbers closer together. LaDuca told Forbes, “Digital credentials give all students vocabulary, usability and utility that allows them not only to say, ‘Hey, look at my portfolio of digital credentials,’ but also insights into the competencies and the skills that they have. By looking at digital credentials, employers can see the concrete steps students have taken to earn skills and close any gaps.”

Throughout the webinar, LaDuca echoed that same message, emphasizing the power of digital badges and micro-credentialing. For those less familiar with the topic, LaDuca also spent some time distinguishing between micro-credentialing, digital badges, and even the differences in reskilling and upskilling.

What Are Micro-Credentials and Digital Badges?

Per LaDuca, a micro-credential represents an achievement of verified and validated sets of specific skills and/or competencies that are based on a formally approved set of standards. Micro-credentials are stackable, immediate, and offer a wide range of opportunities for transferability.  

For example, consider how LinkedIn promotes “skills badges” and offers members options to “showcase skills” by taking quizzes and so on. Similarly, SHRM and HRCI continuing education badges–which most Mployer Advisor webinars and podcast episodes qualify–are further examples of micro-credentials and digital badges at play and even relied on throughout the industry.  

LaDuca defines digital badges as the following: “A validated indicator of a mastered accomplishment, skill, quality, or interest that can be earned in many learning environments. It is the portable, transferable technology used to display the successful completion of learning that can be displayed on resumes, LinkedIn, and other professional profiles.”

Watch the On-Demand Webinar Now  

For more in-depth information, tune in to watch the complete on-demand webinar, “Upskilling Part II: Digital Credentialing and the Rapidly Changing Workforce.”

Plus, be sure to check out Part 1 of our webinar series on upskilling here–click here to watch “Future-Proof Your Workforce and Transform Talent Through Upskilling” on-demand now.  

If you haven’t yet, be sure to scroll through Mployer Advisor’s past webinars by searching through our library of on-demand content.

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