WESF plays a role in promoting standardization and eliminating global trade barriers.
A recent article published by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Open Learning blog, The Curve, features insights from Workcred leaders Roy Swift and Isabel Cardenas-Navia about the value of credentials for technical job seekers, and the importance of choosing the right online programs.
“Employers see a lot of value in credentials. They want to see more credentials in hiring for tech roles,” noted Cardenas-Navia, Workcred associate executive director, research. Many employers seek applicants with credentials over an associate’s degree, as credentials signal desirable qualities including an interest in manufacturing, experience in a role, and relevant skills. However, supervisors and hiring managers have indicated that it is not common to see individuals with credentials in their applicant pools.
What’s more, “credential” is a broad term that can include bootcamp certificates, apprenticeship certificates, certifications, licenses, and more. Swift, Workcred executive director, urges applicants to seek credentials that include an assessment component to evaluate their performance, and an industry-recognized certification whose value employers can easily understand.
“There are indications that people come to [employers] and do not have the skills and competencies as advertised from their particular credential. And that's a major problem,” said Swift. “More research is needed, but we think that the lack of effective and accurate assessment of competencies is one of the issues. The content may have been presented, but the assessment was weak, and it did not verify that the person did indeed acquire that knowledge or skill.”