Sessions

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Skilled credentials – not 2- or 4-year degrees - are a way for learners to signal a skill or competency to employers. The number of these credentials has skyrocketed over the last few years as providers recognize that learners – particularly those who have been displaced by economic factors or do not have the means to attend a post-secondary institution including people of color, those with history with the criminal justice system, opportunity youth, people with disabilities -– need a way to get the skills employers demand. In addition, during the pandemic many learners had the time to get additional credentials as they reassessed their employment opportunities. However, many employers have been slow to utilize these credentials for a variety of reasons when it comes to hiring needed talent, instead relying on more traditional criterion – degrees and extensive work experience - resulting in a continued skills gap. This session will explore how senior management, hiring managers, HR professionals and workers can better assess, utilize and leverage alternative credentials to provide employers with the talent they need and address issues of diversity, equity and inclusion and how they can be key to nimbly responding to the future needs of the organization.

Learning Objectives:

• Develop a better understanding of skilled credentials.
• How skilled credentials are developed, evaluated and tracked.
• How can skilled credentials be integral to workforce planning.
• Why are skilled credentials critical for meeting DEI&A targets.