Open Skills and Rich Skill Descriptors:
CTDL Enables Connections and Collaboration
 

With growing momentum for skills-based education and hiring, we all need to work together on shared solutions for more equitable ecosystems that enable everyone to have the skills necessary to thrive in a fast-moving and ever-evolving workforce. The Open Skills Network has advanced this work by releasing the open-source Open Skills Management Tool. The Western Governors University (WGU) Skills Library, developed by a team of experts, is now freely available. And the Credential Registry provides over 51,000 open skills from hundreds of sources, combined with valuable contextual information in the Credential Transparency Description Language (CTDL). We’re primed for innovation, with more great work underway, and you can contribute! This blog answers the what/why/how questions for using open skills collaboratively. Relatedly, the recent Open Skills Network Showcase highlighted the newly released WGU Open Skills Library and partner experiences creating RSDs. If you were unable to attend, you can watch this recording. Learn more.

Now Hiring: Communications & Digital Content Manager

Credential Engine is hiring! We are looking for a Communications and Digital Content Manager to craft and implement thoughtful communications strategies to support our mission. This person will serve as the main storyteller to elevate Credential Engine’s work among state, national, and international audiences. Credential Engine is an equal opportunity employer. Women and people of color are encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. Priority will be given to applications submitted by March 15, 2022. Read the full job description.

The Credential Registry Now Includes Advanced Placement Coursework and Exams

Credential Engine has uploaded 14 STEM Advanced Placement (AP®) assessments and courses to the Credential Registry — a cloud-based library that collects, maintains, and connects information on all types of credentials. Each course and assessment entry includes information about the course, exam, and relevant skills. Adding AP coursework and exams to the Credential Registry allows everyone to consistently access, reference, and align key information across providers. This has multiple benefits for high school students and counselors, postsecondary administrators, and state education officials. Read the press release. 


Call for Participation in Credential Engine’s Task Group on Pathways Constraints

The Credential Transparency Description Language (CTDL) enables the linking of education and career pathways components to depict routes to a destination. Credential Engine follows a clearly defined, open process to make significant updates to develop the CTDL. This process includes subject matter and technical experts forming short-term task groups to provide valuable input (typically 8-12 weeks). You are invited to join our new Pathways Constraints Task Group (PCTG). The work of this task group supports the goals of Credential Engine’s state partners and other agencies and organizations who are working to improve the education and training data ecosystem. Learn more and join the PCTG today!


Washington State IT Apprentices Gain Digital, Verified Program Credentials Through WTIA Workforce Institute and Merit

Apprenti and Merit announced they have partnered to provide free digital completion certificates and a resume builder tool to all Apprenti graduates in the state of Washington. As an added benefit, these credentials incorporate the Credential Transparency Description Language (CTDL) that captures, links, updates, and shares up-to-date information about credentials for easy organization and searchability. “Incorporating the CTDL — which helps to make information about credentials more accessible, understandable, and actionable — is an added public benefit to the already great promise of this partnership between Merit and Apprenti,” says Eleni Papadakis, Chair of the Credential Engine Board of Directors, and Executive Director of the Washington State Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board. “We are proud that Credential Engine’s technology is supporting this work and helping learners across Washington get the tools they need to get ahead.” Read the full press release.