Design of Credential Lab Innovation Center Begins

In August, HLC’s Credential Lab welcomed its newly formed Innovation Center Design Team to the first of many convenings. The Design Team will be creating a model and resources for educational innovation and change to meet the needs of 21st century learners and employers.  

Composed of national experts in short-term credentials, workforce and professional development, change leadership, innovation, online education, competency-based education, and other learn and work fields, the Design Team will partner with HLC to contribute to and advance the field.  

The Credential Lab Innovation Center, funded through generous support from the ECMC Foundation, will focus on three primary goals:  

1. To facilitate the development of high-quality short-term credential offerings that provide access to learners and that meet community and workforce needs. 

2. To enhance and promote learners’ credit mobility, transferability, and learning recognition. 

3. To reinforce effective partnerships throughout the credentialing ecosystem, including collaborations among and between sectors, institutions, external providers, employers and industries, other credential-focused organizations, states, and workforce development organizations. 

HLC’s Credential Lab anticipates launching initial programming and resources from the Innovation Center in 2025.  

In addition to initiating the Innovation Center, HLC’s Credential Lab has continued its design work with the Quality Assurance Design Team to create an “Endorsement” for third-party credential-related educational providers.  

HLC’s Credential Lab Endorsement aims to address the following:  

• Promote desired organizational behaviors and practices to assure relevant and high-quality credentials, positive learner experiences, and desired outcomes.  

• Support and inform strategic and effective partnerships across the evolving learn/work ecosystem to help tackle the ever-expanding need for continual learning called for by the demands of the 21st century.  

• Highlight provider organizations that are trustworthy partners in developing learners’ skills to advance career opportunities and address labor market needs.  

• Demonstrate that learners and employers can find value in the offerings, learning experiences, and outcomes met by trusted providers.  

• Contribute to and enhance improvements across the learn/work ecosystem through promoting shared understanding and expectations, consistent terminology, effective practices, and common descriptions.  

  

A forthcoming initial pilot of HLC’s Credential Lab will test the endorsement model, provide feedback on the elements, and inform the development of the full endorsement requirements and process. 

Where To Find the Credential Lab’s Innovators and Collaborators This Fall 

HLC’s Credential Lab team and many of our collaborators will be presenting at several convenings this fall, including Convergence: Credential Innovation in Higher Education and the National Council for Workforce Education annual conference: Future-Proofing Workforce Education.  

HLC’s Credential Lab will also convene HLC’s state partners to continue to share resources, facilitate alignment, and discuss areas for strategic collaboration regarding assuring quality credential initiatives.  

For more information about HLC’s Credential Lab or to get involved, please contact [email protected]