Technical infrastructure

This workstream is exploring the development of digital skills wallets, digital transcripts and learner records in the UK.

At our stakeholder workshop we reviewed key international case studies, sought to define where we want the UK to be in five years’ time, and set out some clear recommendations towards getting there.

Attendees were introduced to the newly piloted digital Education Record (DfE England) and Skills Development Scotland learning record My World of Work which is used by secondary schools in Scotland.

Recommendations coming out of this workshop focused on five groups in the digital credential landscape – educators, learners, employers, policy makers and tech providers.

Group of adults discussing digital badging

Key findings and recommendations

Digital credentials will surpass traditional, paper-based qualifications
There was a strong belief that digital credentials more broadly will become a mainstream technology for recognising learning, with significant integration into educational systems, and a universal adoption across schools, colleges and higher education institutions. Where digital transcripts of formal qualifications exist, compatibility with skills wallets is desirable.
Collaboration between employers and educators is essential
This partnership is essential for ensuring that digital badges and credentials for non-accredited learning accurately reflect the competencies required in the job market, thereby enhancing the employability of individuals.
There remain challenges around equity and accessibility
There is a risk that the digital divide could widen- posing a significant challenge to the equitable adoption of digital credentials. Ensuring that all learners, particularly those with poor digital skills, have access to and can effectively utilise digital skills/credential wallets and badges is crucial for fostering inclusivity.

A more detailed breakdown of the opportunities, challenges and recommendations coming out of the workshop is as follows.

Educators

Opportunities:

– Employers can use digital credentials to assess candidates’ skills more effectively, aligning recruitment with actual competencies.
– Digital credentials can serve as a standard for training and continuous professional development, particularly in hybrid work environments.

Challenges:

– Educators require upskilling to effectively implement digital badges in their teaching practices.

Recommendation:

1. Establish professional development for educators and educational institutions across different sectors, with access to cost-effective and intuitive badge delivery platforms.

Employers

Opportunities:

– Employers can use digital credentials to assess candidates’ skills more effectively, aligning recruitment with actual competencies.

– Digital credentials can serve as a standard for training and continuous professional development, particularly in hybrid work environments.

Challenges:

– Building trust in the value of digital credentials among employers is essential for widespread adoption.

Recommendations:

1. Establish industry-wide standards for digital badges to ensure consistency and recognition across sectors. This was explored in depth as part of our Standards and frameworks workstream.

2. Develop systems that allow seamless integration, interoperability and recognition of digital badges and credentials across platforms.

Learners

Opportunities:

– Digital badges can enhance learners’ employability by providing verifiable evidence of skills and achievements, particularly relevant where formal qualifications are lacking.

– Skills wallets can facilitate international recognition of qualifications, allowing learners to travel, study and work globally.

Challenges:

– Some learners may lack the necessary digital skills and access to digital technology to effectively use digital wallets, transcripts and badges.

Recommendation:

1. Digital skills training and guidance to include the management of digital credentials and skills wallets.

Policy makers

Opportunities:

– Governments can establish frameworks and policies that support the adoption of digital credentials.

– Digital badges can provide valuable data on skills and competencies, informing policy decisions and educational / skills training reforms.

Challenges:

– The need for standardised regulations governing the use of digital credentials and skills wallets is needed to ensure security and validity.

Recommendations:

1. There should be collaboration between various government departments (and the four nations) to develop cohesive policies that support digital credentialing in education and work settings is desirable.

2. Establish cross-government data standards to facilitate interoperability and secure data hosting.

Digital / tech providers

Opportunities:

– The growing demand for digital credentials and skills wallets presents significant market opportunities for technology providers.

– The technology is already well developed.

Challenges:

– Proprietary and national systems must communicate and work together effectively.

Recommendations:

1. Develop standardised protocols for digital credentials, educational transcripts and skills wallets is needed to ensure compatibility across platforms.

2. Build a robust technical infrastructure that supports secure data hosting, verification processes, and user-friendly interfaces for both issuers and users is essential.