About Us
Mission and Vision
Workcred’s mission is to strengthen workforce quality by improving the credentialing system, ensuring its ongoing relevance, and preparing employers, workers, educators, and governments to use it effectively.
Our vision is a labor market which relies on the relevance, quality, and value of workforce credentials for opportunities, growth, and development.
FOCUS AREAS
The following focus areas were developed to guide Workcred’s activities in pursuit of its mission and vision. As the workforce grows and changes, so too do these focuses evolve as Workcred identifies new needs and issues to address in the credentialing system.
- Educate stakeholders about quality as a differentiator of credentials and/or provide means (metrics) by which stakeholders can make judgements about credential value.
- Connect stakeholders to facilitate a more integrated and effective credentialing system.
- Create or inform the development of quality credentialing programs offered by industry associations, education institutions, government agencies, and employers.
For certifications and certificates, as well as other non-degree credentials, there is no common definition of quality or value, little confidence, and little consistency across industry sectors.
To help solve these issues, Workcred is dedicated to increasing the quality, market value, and effectiveness of credentials.
Our Unique Expertise
DETERMINING THE VALUE OF NON-DEGREE CREDENTIALS
The number and types of non-degree credentials (e.g., certifications, certificates, microcredentials) continues to grow. Yet, there is a lack of information about the quality and value of non-degree credentials.
Workcred is focused on bringing greater clarity about non-degree credentials by working with organizations that issue these credentials to:
- Explore opportunities to use third-party data to make decisions about outcomes and the value of credentials
- Connect administrative data sets to provide information about the effectiveness of credentials
- Foster a new mindset among credentialing bodies about collecting and using data
CREATING A CULTURAL SHIFT FOR NON-DEGREE CREDENTIALING BODIES
For decades many non-degree credentialing bodies did not collect detailed personally identifiable information about individuals who earned credentials. Instead, the goal was to collect the minimal data necessary for someone to apply for and earn the credential, while adhering to privacy regulations. Recently, policymakers and others are demanding more data to determine the value of credentials. Workcred is working to change the culture of credentialing bodies by:
- Educating them to focus on the outcomes of credential holders, which better positions individuals to meet their career goals
- Demonstrating that credentials prove credential holders have the necessary skills and competencies
- Showcasing how credentials can help professionalize an occupation
BUILDING QUALITY CREDENTIAL PATHWAYS
Individuals may earn multiple credentials as they pursue their career goals. But, it is important to understand how different credentials can be aligned or integrated into career pathways.
Workcred helps organizations develop or improve pathways that:
- Are rooted in skills
- Provide learners opportunities to gain a broad-based education and technical skills
- Incorporate industry-recognized credentials
Hear more about
Workcred’s mission and vision, unique expertise, and how we can help you.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
An effective and successful credentialing system is one that is inclusive and equitably supports individuals from diverse backgrounds. In keeping with our mission, Workcred is committed to developing a work environment that is diverse and inclusive. We strive to create a work environment that provides opportunities for growth, development and equity for our team members, partners and stakeholders. We value having employees and partners from different ethnic, cultural and gender backgrounds who possess energy, talent and vision for improving the nation’s labor markets. Workcred celebrates diverse voices in our projects and research. We understand that hearing and embracing different perspectives leads to creative thinking, innovation and equity.
Relationship with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB)
Formed in 2014 as an affiliate of ANSI, Workcred is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation. Workcred’s independence as a legal entity maintains separation from and respects the impartiality of ANAB’s accreditation services.
Find out more about ANSI and ANAB on their websites.
