As millions of workers look for new jobs and careers during turbulent economic times, a new report offers insights about certifications—one type of credential that can offer high value in the job market. The report, “Understanding Certifications,” is a collaboration among Corporation for a Skilled Workforce (CSW), George Washington Institute of Public Policy (GWIPP), and Workcred (an affiliate of the American National Standards Institute), and was made possible by a grant from Lumina Foundation.
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The report offers a comprehensive overview of the diverse landscape of certifications. It covers their purpose, who awards them, what value they provide, ways to assess quality, and how they align with educational pathways. It also frames questions about the future of certifications.
“Certifications are the least understood credential in the marketplace,” said Larry Good, CSW president and CEO. “This report is aimed at making them easier for policymakers and practitioners to understand.”
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Awarded by industry groups, professional associations, and companies, certifications have the potential to be useful tools in addressing re-employment, re-deployment, and re-education challenges that workers face in the current labor market. Certifications are based on an individual demonstrating through an examination that she or he has acquired the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform a specific occupation or job. More than 6,700 different certifications are currently awarded to millions of workers nationally. Yet, many employers, workers, students, policymakers, and education and workforce development practitioners know little about the use and value of certifications.
“We published this overview of what’s known about certifications because it’s important to understand their value at a time when workers, companies, and educators are all scrambling to make changes that help them adjust to rapidly changing labor markets during and post-pandemic,” said GWIPP research professor Stephen Crawford.
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