Let me know if this sounds familiar to you: I have a bachelor of science degree in Sociology with a minor in Marketing. When I graduated from college in the early 2000’s, digital marketing didn’t exist in the same capacity that it does today. Marketing automation, social media marketing, and SEO optimization really only became mainstream distribution channels in the last several years, and I certainly didn’t learn about them in college. The knowledge I gained in my Sociology track? It isn’t something I use regularly. It’s helpful when I have to craft messages that appeal to the masses, but other than that, not a skill I apply daily.
Because marketing is the skill that my chosen profession demands, I’ve continuously upskilled myself in that area by taking courses that are relevant to my industry. I took a Social Media Strategy course through the National Institute for Social Media last year, and have taken several courses through HubSpot and Google that validate that I know how to do what I’m being paid to do. I put a lot of time and effort into learning new skills that I can actually apply to my job on a daily basis. This is the future of work: a collaboration between individuals and employers to determine the skills needed right now, and then a way to obtain those skills in a way that includes the full context of time spent and lessons learned, and can be verified in real time.
Employers who cultivate a culture of constant learning and upskilling create a culture of individuals who seek out knowledge in order to better themselves and the organization’s they work for. Those hard-earned skills should be accompanied by a digital credential in order for that person to own proof of their hard work and new skills or knowledge. With the ever-shifting needs of the labor market, it’s essential that employers and individuals find a way forward with upskilling, reskilling and digital credentials.
If you’re interested in learning more about how your organization can benefit from verified proof of skills, schedule a chat with our team now!