Today, Credential Engine announced a new initiative, funded by ECMC Foundation, to pursue a regional credential transparency initiative in Los Angeles. Credential Engine estimates there are more than 500,000 unique credentials in the United States alone, including diplomas, certificates, badges, certifications, licenses, and degrees of all levels.
In conjunction with the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and workforce data experts at BrightHive, Credential Engine will use this grant to:
- support a discovery and planning process that to brings together a network of partners;
- identify and inventory available credentials in the Los Angeles region;
- describe use cases for how the data can advance existing local initiatives and support new ones;
- create a strategic plan to assist credential providers with publishing;
- develop a sustainability plan that improves outcomes across the County.
“Credential Engine is excited to embark on this work in Los Angeles,” said the organization’s Executive Director, Scott Cheney. “With more than 10 million residents and almost a quarter million businesses, ensuring that this region has access to transparent credential data embedded in its education and workforce resources is critical to the region’s educational and economic success.”
“Students are making important decisions when it comes to investing their time and money in pursuing a credential – be it a certificate or a degree – and the more information they have, the better decisions they can make. We know this not only benefits students, but also the employers who will eventually hire these students,” said David Rattray, Executive Vice President Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce. “The Chamber has long been a proponent of transparency at L.A.’s education institutions, and this is another opportunity to do that in order to build a stronger workforce and economy.”
“With enthusiasm, ECMC Foundation is proud to support Credential Engine’s work in creating a transparent line of communication and understanding of how credentials translate to the labor market in LA,” said ECMC Foundation President Peter Taylor. “All individuals and their families deserve to know if they are able to access career pathways with their credentials; and whether or not those jobs would pay family-sustaining wages.”
Until the creation of Credential Engine’s open-source Credential Transparency Description Language (CTDL), it was not possible for students, workers, employers or the general public to search, discover, compare and analyze all types and levels of these credentials. Credential Engine is a non-profit whose mission is to create credential transparency, reveal the credential marketplace, increase credential literacy, and allow everyone to make more informed decisions about credentials and their value.
Credential Engine and the Los Angeles Area Chamber will kick off the project with stakeholder planning sessions to begin identifying key credentialing bodies, community service partners, employers and labor unions, and use cases. This initial planning body is expected to complete this work, report its findings, and present a full-scale implementation plan by Summer of 2019.
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About
Credential Engine is a non-profit whose mission is to create credential transparency, reveal the credential marketplace, increase credential literacy, and empower everyone to make more informed decisions about credentials and their value. Credential Engine is also supported by Lumina Foundation, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Walmart Giving, Northrop Grumman Foundation, and Microsoft.
Credential Engine Contact: Carrie Samson csamson@credentialengine.org
ECMC Foundation is a Los Angeles-based, nationally focused foundation whose mission is to inspire and to facilitate improvements that affect educational outcomes—especially among underserved populations—through evidence-based innovation. It is one of several affiliates under the ECMC Group enterprise based in Minneapolis. ECMC Foundation makes investments in two focus areas: College Success and Career Readiness; and uses a spectrum of funding structures, including strategic grantmaking and program-related investments, to invest in both nonprofit and for-profit ventures. Working with grantees, partners and peers, ECMC Foundation’s vision is for all learners to unlock their fullest potential. Learn more about ECMC Foundation by visiting www.ecmcfoundation.org and ECMC Group by visiting www.ecmcgroup.org.
ECMC Foundation Contact: Mai Tran mtran@ecmc.org
The Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce represents the interests of business in L.A. County. Founded in 1888, the Chamber promotes a prosperous economy and quality of life in the Los Angeles region. For more information, visit www.lachamber.com.
Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce Contact: Claudine Battisti cbattisti@lachamber.com