Introducing digital badges
While digital badges have been in use for many years, there is still confusion as to what they are, what they do and how they are being used.
If you are just getting started with digital badges, or simply want to learn more about them, this is the place to start.
What are digital badges?
Digital badges are visual, digital representations of skills, achievements or experiences. They can be used to acknowledge and showcase formal and non-formal learning, including skills gained through short courses, online learning, work experience, or personal development.
Digital badges are more than just images. Unlike paper certificates they contain digital information (metadata) detailing who issued the badge, the criteria needed to earn it, evidence of the accomplishment itself, and more. This makes digital badges credible, portable, and secure. Their flexibility and portability have allowed digital badges to flourish in a range of settings from classrooms and community programmes to large-scale employer-led or university initiatives.
Whether you complete a short course, master a new skill, or participate in a major project, a digital badge can tell the full story of your achievement. Digital badges are designed to be easily shared across platforms like LinkedIn, digital portfolios, websites, and CVs, helping people showcase their learning and skills in a trusted, visual way.
How do digital badges work?
When someone earns a digital badge, they receive a secure, clickable credential that links to detailed information about their achievement. Information can include:
- The name of the badge
- Confirmation of the recipient and issuer of the badge
- A summary description of what was achieved to earn the badge
- A breakdown of criteria required to earn it
- A list of the key skills, knowledge and attitudes associated with the badge, (known as Tags)
- Links to evidence or proof of achievement (e.g. an online portfolio)
- Issue and expiry dates (if applicable)
Employers and others can click on a badge to instantly verify the skill or credential it represents, removing the need for physical certificates or lengthy reference checks.
To ensure trust and portability, digital badges are typically issued through third-party platforms. Many of these platforms follow the Open Badges standard, originally developed by Mozilla and now managed by 1EdTech. Open Badges ensure that no matter where a badge is issued, it carries consistent, transparent metadata that anyone can verify.
Choosing a platform that supports open standards helps guarantee that badges stay valuable and usable across different careers and industries. You can view a full list of certified open badge platforms on the 1EdTech website.
Why use digital badges?
Digital badges offer significant benefits for individuals, organisations, and employers:
For individuals
- Clearly demonstrate your skills and achievements.
- Stand out to employers with verified, portable credentials.
- Showcase lifelong learning and career growth.
For organisations
- Reward and recognise learning and achievement at all levels.
- Build your brand visibility when learners share badges online.
- Offer staff flexible, scalable digital rewards for learning.
Encourage ongoing learning and professional development within teams.
For employers
- Identify candidates with the demonstrable, durable skills.
- Quickly verify a candidate’s skills and competencies.
- Show commitment to ongoing professional development and upskilling.
Digital badges are powerful tools in a world where skills are increasingly what employers and industries are looking for.
Who is using digital badges?
Digital badges are being used across a wide range of sectors, including:
- Education: Universities and training providers award badges for specific courses, skills, and milestones.
- Workplace Learning: Companies issue badges for professional development, compliance training, and internal upskilling.
- Industry Certifications: Professional bodies offer badges to recognise certifications and standards achievement.
- Events and Conferences: Badges can recognise attendance, speaking engagements, or workshop participation.
- Community Programmes: Nonprofits and volunteer organisations use badges to reward contributions and engagement.
As skills-based hiring and continuous learning become more important, digital badges are helping people connect their achievements to real-world opportunities.
Current trends in digital badging
The digital badge landscape continues to evolve, driven by a need for more granular, verifiable, and portable recognition of skills and achievements in an increasingly fast changing job market. Several key trends are emerging:
- Increased adoption
According to research, over 100 million Open Badges have been issued globally; representing a 70%+ increase since 2020. - Micro-credentials and skills-based hiring
There’s a clear shift towards recognising specific skills and competencies, often gained through diverse learning experiences beyond traditional qualifications. Digital badges are the ideal format for recognising these as they provide a verifiable record of what someone can actually do. Employers are increasingly using digital credentials for skills-based hiring, allowing them to identify candidates with the precise abilities needed for a role. - Increased need for interoperable digital skills wallets
As individuals accumulate a growing number of digital badges and other credentials throughout their lifelong learning journey, the need for a secure and user-controlled places to store and manage them is becoming increasingly important.
In the coming years, digital badges are expected to play a key role in how we recognise learning, professional development, and skills acquisition across industries.
