CREATING AN IMPACT WITH CREDENTIAL QUALITY AND TRANSPARENCY - August 2021 State Policy Toolkit

Oct 15, 2026

The toolkit outlines how states can improve the quality and transparency of non-degree credentials to support inclusive, high-quality workforce development. It explains why reliable information about credential options matters for students, working adults, and career changers, especially amid labor-market disruption from the Covid-19 pandemic and rapid technological change. Using a quality non-degree credential framework, the guide maps evidence requirements and connects credential components to open data and publishing infrastructure for equitable economic and career outcomes.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages28

Reading Time1 h 11 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

How to Use this Toolkit

Glossary of Terms

Mapping Quality Non-Degree Credentials

Evidence of Substantial Job Opportunities

Evidence of Competencies Mastered by the Credential Holder

Evidence of Employment and Earnings Outcomes

Stackability to Additional Education or Training

Bringing Quality Components to the Credential Registry

Policy Recommendations to Support Credential Quality and Transparency Efforts

AUGUST 2021 CREATING AN IMPACT WITH CREDENTIAL QUALITY AND TRANSPARENCY BY RACHEL VILSACK A State Policy Toolkit ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: This project was funded by generous support from Walmart, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the Lumina Foundation. We are grateful for their financial investment in the National Skills Coalition. The findings and views expressed here are those of the author and the National Skills Coalition. We also thank Credential Engine, specifically Jennifer Briones, Project Manager, and Emilie Rafal, Director of Programs, for their partnership in producing this toolkit. ABOUT NATIONAL SKILLS COALITION: Jobs that require skills training are the backbone of our economy. National Skills Coalition fights for a national commitment to inclusive, high-quality skills training so that more people have access to a better life, and more local businesses see sustained growth. Since 2000, through expert analysis and technical assistance, broad-based organizing, targeted advocacy, and cutting-edge communications, NSC has changed hundreds of state and federal skills policies that have changed thousands of lives and grown local businesses and economies. We build networks representing businesses, workers, colleges, community organizations, public officials, and advocates. We engage these networks to craft policy proposals and mobilize them to win concrete policy change. Our networks include SkillSPAN (state affiliate coalitions), Business Leaders United for Workforce Partnerships (thousands of small and medium-sized business owners and state affiliates), and Voices for Skills (tens of thousands of workers and grassroots skills advocates). ABOUT THIS TOOLKIT: Simply put: Americans need clear and reliable information about their educational options. But they also need to know how to navigate these options. Good data on credential quality and transparency helps them select a path that leads to equitable economic and career success. This toolkit provides a map for how states that are looking to improve credential quality and transparency can use the quality non-degree credential framework outlined by National Skills Coalition and the linked open data network, common description language, and publishing platform created by Credential Engine. TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................ 3 How to Use this Toolkit..................................................................................................................................... 6 Glossary of Terms .............................................................................................................................................. 8 Mapping Quality Non-Degree Credentials..................................................................................................... 9 Evidence of Substantial Job Opportunities .......................................................................................... 10 Evidence of Competencies Mastered by the Credential Holder ........................................................ 12 Evidence of Employment and Earnings Outcomes .............................................................................. 14 Stackability to Additional Education or Training ................................................................................. 16 Bringing Quality Components to the Credential Registry ......................................................................... 18 Policy Recommendations to Support Credential Quality and Transparency Efforts............................ 21 CREATING AN IMPACT WITH CREDENTIAL QUALITY AND TRANSPARENCY 1 IF AMERICA WANTS TO BUILD AN INCLUSIVE ECONOMY WHERE ALL WORKERS AND ALL BUSINESSES HAVE THE SKILLS THEY NEED TO STAY COMPETITIVE IN A RAPIDLY CHANGING GLOBAL MARKETPLACE, EVERYONE MUST WORK TOGETHER TO

FAQs

Who is the toolkit intended to help with credential quality and transparency?

It supports states seeking to improve credential quality and transparency, and it is also designed to give students, working adults, and career changers clearer information about educational options.

Why does the toolkit emphasize non-degree credentials?

Non-degree credential programs are typically completed in one year or less, focus on an occupation, and provide a crucial pathway for many U.S. workers to increase earnings and economic opportunities.

What framework does the toolkit use to guide credential quality and transparency?

It uses the quality non-degree credential framework outlined by the National Skills Coalition, aligned with linked open data concepts, common description language, and a publishing platform developed by Credential Engine.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Alex Sinclair