The nonprofit Credential Engine has launched tools and services to pave the way to a new level of transparency for educators, employers, students, and workers looking to navigate the postsecondary credentialing system.
At an event attended by higher education and business leaders, the organization debuted a first-of-its-kind centralized credential data platform called the Credential Registry, a common credentialing language for credential evaluation, a digital application to search for credentialing information, and an Application Programming Interface (API) tool to allow organizations to continuously upload up-to-date information to the Registry.
“This is an important moment in our efforts to bring clarity to the confusing world of credentialing. By releasing these resources, Credential Engine has set the stage for gathering credentialing information from all types of sources-including degrees, certificates, badges, apprenticeships, licenses, micro credentials, and PhDs-drastically improving credential transparency,” said Eleni Papadakis, Chair of the Credential Engine Board and Executive Director of the Washington State Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board.
The launch event also energized the postsecondary education community with the release of a common credentialing language, the Credential Transparency Description Language (CTDL). “With the CTDL, higher education providers will be able to track credentialing trends, assess credit transfer issues, and assist students searching for their paths to success in a comprehensive way that has never been offered before,” said Dr. Chris Bustamante, President of Rio Salado College and Credential Engine Board Member.
Supporters of Credential Engine are confident that its tools and services will create additional positive ripple effects into workforce development. “Credential Engine is playing an invaluable role in connecting job seekers and students to credentials that matter in the workforce. By making the U.S. landscape of credentials available through an open, interoperable registry, people will better understand what credentials are available to them and the learning that stands behind each of those credentials,” said Jamie Merisotis, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lumina Foundation.
Already, over 1,500 credentials from more than 170 organizations have been submitted to the Credential Registry.
To access the Credential Registry, see http://www.credentialengine.org/
