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Partnership Working to Connect Degrees and Certifications

closeup of graduate in academic dress taking his diploma and shaking hand

Workcred, a nonprofit organization focused on credentialing in the workforce, is partnering with the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities and the University Professional and Continuing Education Association to help create opportunities for undergraduate students to earn certifications as part of their degree program.

Supported by a grant from the Lumina Foundation, the effort will bring together experts from higher education institutions and accredited certification bodies in a series of convenings across the United States. Their objectives:

  • "Forge relationships between higher educational institutions and credentialing bodies and facilitate information exchange at several sessions convened by the collaborative;
  • "Enhance transparency through information exchanges and reporting so the requirements and value of both degrees and certifications are respected by industry and employers; and
  • "Summarize the key findings and themes in a framework that can be used for pilot programs seeking to align efforts across institutions."

"We hope that this important new collaboration to engage higher education institutions and certification bodies on curriculum development will help better prepare students for certification exams, and help students bolster the value of their degrees as they gain the attention of employers in a competitive job landscape," noted Holly Zanville, senior advisor for credentialing and workforce development at Lumina Foundation, in a statement.

"We are excited to be part of this partnership to heighten awareness and collaboration to increase quality assurance and transparency about degrees and certifications," said Roy Swift, executive director for Workcred. "Most of all, we are thrilled to help bridge the divide between all stakeholders, so that certifications can add value to the U.S. workforce."

About the Author

Rhea Kelly is editor in chief for Campus Technology, THE Journal, and Spaces4Learning. She can be reached at [email protected].

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