UAH Office of Professional and Continuing Education (OPCE) Launches New Digital Credentialing Initiative with Credly

UAH OPCE launched a new digital badging initiative for its noncredit professional development programs to showcase a learner's skill, drive and unique capabilities.

Photo courtesy of UAH OPCE.

The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) Office of Professional and Continuing Education launched a new digital badging initiative for its noncredit professional development programs. Individuals who complete the requirements of select programs at UAH, a part of the University of Alabama System, will earn digital credentials.

Digital credentials (also known as digital badges) validate a person’s coursework. They are visual elements indicating professional competencies earned through the completion of select programs. Embedded with metadata, each credential is verifiable and unique to the individual. From an employer’s perspective, these credentials showcase a person’s skill, drive and unique capabilities. In addition, digital credentialing removes the guesswork; Employers can easily identify candidates whose skills align with job requirements.

We hope to give learners a competitive advantage by providing a platform to showcase their skills and expertise.

Huntsville is the most educated city in Alabama and ranks number twenty-four in the nation with top industries in aerospace, defense, information technology, bioscience and advanced manufacturing. A degree may no longer be enough to set yourself apart. UAH OPCE’s mission is to develop training that adapts to the latest technological advances, research findings and cultural trends within the community and nationwide. Through the digital credentialing initiative, OPCE aims to bridge the gap between organizations and top candidates with the specialized skills they seek.

“In today’s highly competitive job market, making your resume stand out can be difficult,” says Fathia Hardy, director of UAH OPCE. “Through our new digital credentialing initiative, we hope to give learners a competitive advantage by providing a platform to showcase their skills and expertise. In addition, employers and recruiters can utilize digital credentials to identify candidates with the right skills for their open positions.”

For more information about UAH OPCE’s digital credential program, visit opce.uah.edu/digitalcredentials.