2025 Badge Summit

We will share progress on the T3 sponsored skills-based hiring applications for LinkedCreds & Resume Author. There are tools that help bridge the current state of the workforce ecosystem to a future decentralized LER VC state. LinkedCreds is a flexible tool that helps organizations, employees, & job seekers document & assert skills in a trusted way. Resume Author is a Proof of Concept application to demonstrate leveraging the HR Open Schema in support of job recruiting LER-RS hybrid future.

Innovation in digital credentials, such as badges, often gets stuck in the "messy middle" — where bold ideas meet real-world constraints. This session explores practical strategies for bridging the gap between visionary plans and sustainable implementation. Drawing on global insights and case studies, we’ll examine how to balance stakeholder expectations, technical challenges, and policy barriers while maintaining momentum.

The badging and digital credentials landscape for higher education providers is still viewed as the “Wild West.”   A pioneer in this space since 2018, California State University Dominguez Hills College of Continuing and Professional Education issues 30 credit and non-credit digital badges and certificates. More than 6,000 badges have been issued to learners through CCPE’s portfolio of upskilling and reskilling programs, including Project Management, Human Resource Management, OSHA, Digital Marketing, Business Analytics and many more.  
Digital badge microcredentials are vetted through a robust and rigorous curriculum review process.  Certificate programs are reviewed at the CCPE level (non-credit) or the Academic College and University level (credit).  This process is mandatory before a badge is conceptualized and continues through its issuance to the learner.  
 “What’s next” includes the implementation of Comprehensive Learner Records or digital backpacks/wallets/passports.  The goal is to create a self-sovereign model for managing digital awards. This empowers learners to have ownership and control of their digital credentials to maintain and share with employers,  for current and future for economic and social mobility.
Come learn how CSUDH operationalized digital badging issuance moving beyond the conceptual or proof of concept phase.

With AI, technology, costs, and credential overload reshaping the workforce, how do we engage today to build a stronger, more equitable system for tomorrow—without needing all the answers? Instead of reinforcing existing barriers, what if we designed for access, opportunity, and learner-centered innovation? This session invites curiosity, conversation, and practical exploration of the roles we can all play in shaping a more just and inclusive future.

The University of South Carolina is leading the charge in transforming professional growth through innovative digital badges and micro-credentials. This session will showcase how USC is leveraging these tools to create personalized, flexible, and impactful learning opportunities for educators and professionals. Participants will learn how micro-credentials validate specific skills, support career advancement, and promote lifelong learning within and beyond the USC community. The presentation will explore real-world success stories, gain insights into the design and implementation of USC’s badge systems with our platform provider, Get Efficient, and discover actionable strategies to enhance professional learning initiatives. Join us to see how USC is paving the way for a future where every achievement—big or small—is recognized and celebrated.

The rapid evolution of workforce demands has spotlighted microcredentials (MCs) and Learner Employment Records (LERs) in higher education. Yet, creating effective governance frameworks often feels elusive. How can colleges create governance frameworks that simultaneously align with industry needs while fostering meaningful engagement across internal stakeholders? This session blends discussions, activities, and real-world examples to explore strategies for balancing external alignment with internal cohesion. Attendees will gain practical tools to overcome challenges, foster buy-in, and design adaptive, sustainable governance structures.

As part of the "Microcredentials – piloting a new solution to support lifelong learning" project, we are testing microcredentials for skills development and designing their issuance process. Currently focused on the ICT sector within VET, the project has a budget of €5.7M. It includes developing technical solutions, such as the Odznaka+ app, based on the Open Badges standard.


Pilots have involved various issuers, including universities, schools, associations, sports clubs, and private companies, certifying achievements, competencies, and qualifications. The project emphasizes stakeholder-driven solutions. A national advisory group was formed, bringing together five ministries and key representatives from the education and labor sectors.


During the conference, we would like to present the Polish approach to badges and microcredentials, showcase best practices (e.g., UNICEF badges for inclusive education teachers), and introduce the preliminary quality assurance model, the functionalities of the Odznaka+ application, and our plans for the system's future development.