The Future of Work and Credential Validation and Tracking


Remarks Delivered by Rodney Petersen, Director of NICE, National Institute of Standards and Technology, U.S. Department of Commerce


The inaugural xFoundry Xplore Summit at the Hotel University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland on February 9, 2024. 



I go by the titles of Husband, Dad, and Volunteer at home and in the community.  But in the workplace, I’ve held the titles of Vice President, Director, Manager, and Supervisor. But those are just job titles. How did I get there? My career pathway has been paved with a series of learning experiences and steppingstones of professional credentials.


But what are credentials?


A credential is defined as a documented achievement awarded by a responsible and authorized body that attests that an individual has achieved specific learning outcomes or attained a defined level of knowledge or skill relative to a given standard. Credential, in this context, is an umbrella term that includes degrees, diplomas, licenses, certificates, badges, and industry-recognized certifications. (Source: https://connectingcredentials.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Glossary-of-Credentialing-Terms.pdf) 


Credentials have become the currency for employment – and advancement in one’s career – much as cash and credit cards are the currency for financial transactions.


However, when someone exchanges a dollar bill with you, you trust its currency because it is issued by the Federal government with a long history of credibility, reliability, and known value.


When someone submits their resume for employment, it may contain a listing of degrees, certifications, or other achievements, but how do employers – and even learners – evaluate the quality of those credentials? 


According to the Credentia ..

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