Resources
Explore our broad range of resources, covering everything you need to know about skills, the skills ecosystem, digital credentials, digital badges, micro-credentials and more
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HOW TO RECOGNISE SKILLS IN YOUR CURRICULUM
Access step-by-step instructions, explanations and templates. Submit your work to see how you can recognise skills in your curriculum
Skills for the Frontline: How Skills Visibility Addresses Equity
- 17 December 2025
Key takeaways: Inequity is often a recognition issue - frontline workers possess valuable skills that are frequently lost because they aren't documented or standardized. Achieving equity requires a shift from degree-based screening to skills-based recognition. Evidence is the great equalizer - digital credentials must be backed by "proof." Edalex’s Personal Evidence Record (PER) allows learners to carry their assessments and
Bridging the Gap: Industry Partnerships and Real-World Relevance in the Skills Economy
- 10 December 2025
Key takeaways: Workforce education is co-created - industry partnerships have evolved from advisory roles to genuine co-creation, with employers investing resources, co-designing curricula, and embedding paid apprenticeships to build job-ready talent pipelines at Community Colleges. The goal is skills alignment and standardization - effective partnerships require Community Colleges to map their curriculum to recognized industry frameworks and standards, ensuring that
Community Colleges: America’s Indispensable Engine of the Skills-First Economy
- 01 December 2025
Key takeaways: Community Colleges are the indispensable workforce engine - Community Colleges are the most agile, accessible, and essential institutions for addressing the national middle-skill job crisis, functioning as the primary pipeline connecting local training directly to labor market demand. Visibility is the new barrier to entry - the shift to skills-first hiring exposes the failure of opaque academic transcripts.
Skills Over Degrees: How Community Colleges Are Forging the New Currency of Opportunity
- 18 November 2025
Key takeaways: Skills are the new currency for workforce readiness - the job market is urgently prioritizing demonstrated skills and competencies over traditional diplomas to fill millions of middle-skill jobs created by the looming retirement gap. Community Colleges are the most agile providers to meet this immediate demand. Agility through stackable credentials - Community Colleges are transforming access and equity
Elevating Your Digital Badges: Why My eQuals Users Need Credentialate
- 28 July 2025
Key takeaways: Elevate My eQuals Badges - seamlessly extend your institution's My eQuals Badges functionality with Credentialate to add deeper meaning, context, and evidence to every digital badge.The Power of the Personal Evidence Record (PER) - Transform badges into dynamic, verifiable portfolios by linking them to a PER, which showcases specific skills (aligned to standards like openRSD), assessments, and artefacts,
Skills Imperative – Part 2: Are You Missing Out on Big Opportunities?
- 12 May 2025
Key takeaways: Evidence-backed skills recognition is a catalyst for growth across all learner segments - by validating skills, institutions can enhance retention of current learners, attract the expanding lifelong learning market, and tap into global opportunities through transnational education.Focusing on skills creates value and expands reach - demonstrating tangible skills increases the perceived value of education for domestic learners, provides
Skills Imperative – Part 1: Are You Risking Irrelevance?
- 12 May 2025
Key takeaways: Ignoring the employability imperative carries significant risks - Higher Education institutions face declining enrolments, reputational damage, and missed opportunities in key growth markets by failing to demonstrably connect learning to employment through skills recognition.The perceived value of a traditional degree is eroding - learners are increasingly questioning the return on investment of traditional degrees and are drawn to
Tools That Empower Learner-Centric Skills Recognition
- 24 March 2025
Key takeaways: Learner-centric approach - just like designing homes for comfort and personal preferences, education systems must prioritise learners’ needs. This means making skills visible and relevant through robust systems like Credentialate and openRSD, ensuring each learner’s journey is transparent and tailored.Limitations of traditional tools - traditional learning management systems (LMS) and badge agents have limitations in managing detailed skills
How Technology Can Help Unlock Human Potential
- 13 February 2025
Key takeaways Unlocking latent abilities - just as tools amplify physical capabilities, technology acts as a powerful catalyst, providing access to knowledge, resources, and innovative methods that significantly enhance human potential and productivity across various domains. Cultivating relevant expertise - to thrive in the evolving landscape of work, education must shift towards skills-based learning. This approach equips individuals with practical
Why Must Students Wait for Graduation to Own Their Learning Credentials?
- 20 December 2024
This provocation piece was written by Margo Griffith and originally published on the Learning Creates website. How would learner ownership of data and progress from day one change educational journeys? We appear to be missing a vital component when we plan and implement learning experiences. Strategies are developed around teaching and learning, but rarely around recognition. In formal learning environments,
Research Whitepaper: Digital Micro-Credential Efficacy and Impact on Learner Confidence
- 13 April 2023
This Research Whitepaper details the findings of a research study conducted in 2022 over a six-month period, in collaboration with a group of international cross-sector partners, as part of a Global Victoria EdTech Innovation Alliance initiative. The research results show that learners readily embraced the more detailed information included in the credential – such as a detailed description of the
Skills Meet-Up Discussion Paper: Towards A Roadmap For The Emerging Skills Ecosystem In Australia
- 14 March 2023
The Skills Meet-Ups were designed to create an avenue for conversation at the grassroots to policy making level. Stakeholders identified the need to share their practical experiences, seek answers from like-minded colleagues and explore the wicked problems around the skills gap and the future of work with those invested in forging change. The information presented in the Skills Meet-Up Discussion
Harnessing Your Skills Data: Recognition and Representation of Workplace Skills
- 21 June 2022
What are the steps that lead to an organisation’s ability to produce personal evidence? How can organisations capture, aggregate and manage their skills data in an automated way? How can they bring to light underutilised dark data’ hiding in their existing systems? And how can they align learner performance data to industry recognised definitions and frameworks? This whitepaper details the
Edalex 2021 Employability Outcomes Survey
- 10 August 2021
At Edalex, our passion is to surface learning outcomes, digital assets, and the power of individual achievement. We commissioned this market research in July 2021 to explore a range of critical topics on education, employment, skills and, most critically, the learner’s voice.A key focus of ours is to help give learners a voice for their unique skills and competencies through
Rethinking Employability Beyond 2020: Ten Recommendations for Universities
- 24 November 2020
As the shift towards shorter, skills based and employment-focused micro-credentials builds momentum, education providers must strategically evolve their credentials and curriculum to meet demand.This Whitepaper, by Emeritus Professor Beverley Oliver, explores the drivers behind the the new meaning of employability and makes ten recommendations to help universities rethink how they can increase employability beyond 2020. (more…)
Navigating AI’s Impact on Education, Workforce, and the Future of Skills Recognition
- 12 February 2026
In this wide-ranging conversation, Dan McFadyen (Edalex & SkillsAware) sits down with Ray Fleming (Founder of Stratentia) to explore AI’s impact on education, workforce readiness, and the future of skills recognition.Ray shares his “two-speed” analogy - where AI evolves at lightning pace while education moves more cautiously - and examines the growing tension between institutional change and employer expectations. The
From Badges to Trust: The Future of Learning and Unlocking Potential with Open Recognition
- 27 August 2025
In this interview, Dan McFadyen and Don Presant, President of Learning Agents discuss open recognition, evolving from digital badges to broader trust systems. Don highlights open recognition's importance in validating learning, performance, and community involvement. He explains how it encapsulates stories in badges, unlocking opportunities in careers and learning. They delve into how Learning Agents assists organisations in deploying digital
Tackling Systemic Challenges in Education, Supporting the New Majority Learners and Lifelong Skilling
- 21 November 2024
In this interview, Dan McFadyen, Managing Director of Edalex, and Bill Hughes, President and CEO of Education Design Lab explore the Lab's work to create a more inclusive and adaptable learning ecosystem. The Lab focuses on "New Majority Learners" (or STARs) who are underserved by traditional education pathways. Their XCredit project validates skills acquired through alternative routes, making them recognisable
Inside the Quest to Tame Gen AI to Benefit Education and Society
- 17 April 2024
In this interview, Dan McFadyen, Managing Director of Edalex, and Julian Ridden, Head of Growth for Australia at Quizizz delve into the role of AI in education. They discuss the potential benefits and risks of AI, emphasising the need for thoughtful integration in educational settings. They also highlight the importance of understanding the risks associated with AI, such as bias
Towards a Skills-Based Marketplace: Revolutionising Skill Verification with a Digital Wallet
- 15 February 2024
In this interview, Dan McFadyen, Managing Director of Edalex engages with Taylor Kendal, President of Learning Economy Foundation to explore LEF's initiatives, including LearnCard and the LearnCloud, aiming to revolutionise education and employment record infrastructure through open-source, interoperable systems a.k.a Digital Skill Wallet. Their conversation anticipates a future where individuals have greater control over their learning and employment agenda, fostering
Future-Proofing Educational Strategies in the Era of CBE, GenAI, and Qualifications Beyond Degrees
- 07 December 2023
In this interview, Dan McFadyen, Managing Director of Edalex and Kate Valenti, Co-Chief Executive Officer at Unicon Inc. explore the evolving education landscape as they delve into key aspects of Competency-Based Education (CBE), the integration of General Artificial Intelligence (GenAI), and the redefinition of qualifications beyond traditional degrees. The conversation is divided into 6 thought-provoking chapters, each shedding light on
Empowering Youth for Future Success by Seamless School-to-Work Transitions and Equitable Education
- 10 July 2023
Dan McFadyen, Managing Director at Edalex speaks with Will Stubley, Co-CEO/Co-Founder of Year13, where they delve into the critical issues surrounding education and employment for young people in Australia and across the globe. The conversation is divided into 7 thought-provoking chapters, each shedding light on different aspects of the educational landscape. (more…)
Revolutionising Learning for Lifelong Growth and Success: The Power of Competency-Based Education
- 13 June 2023
Dan McFadyen, Managing Director at Edalex speaks with Dr. Charla Long, President of the Competency-Based Education Network (C-BEN) where they cover various aspects of competency-based education (CBE) and its future impact. Overall, the interview provides insights into the revolutionary nature of CBE and its potential to revolutionise learning for lifelong success. (more…)
How to Get Ahead in Higher Ed – Digital Strategies, Skills-Based Learning and Learner-Centricity Key
- 03 March 2023
Dan McFadyen, Managing Director at Edalex speaks with Ryan O'Hare, CEO and Founder of Keypath Education (Australia and Asia-Pacific) where they discuss how to get ahead in Higher Education by challenging assumptions, focusing on digital strategies, embracing skills-based learning, catering to lifelong learners (the new majority) and being learner-centric. (more…)
How Standards and Interoperability Are Enabling Credential Curation, Dynamic Credentials and Learner Agency
- 17 October 2022
In this conversation style interview, Dan McFadyen and Nicholas Robert, Co-Founder and CEO of Learning Vault, explore how standards and interoperability are enabling credential curation, dynamic credentials and learner agency. (more…)
A Comprehensive Guide to Competency-Based Education (CBE)
- 11 June 2025
Competency-Based Education (CBE) is reshaping the educational landscape by prioritising skill mastery over time spent in the classroom. As the demand for adaptable, work-ready graduates grows, CBE offers flexible, learner-centric pathways that prepare individuals for the modern job market. This in-depth Credentialate guide explores: What is competency-based education and how does it differ from traditional learning models? What benefits does
Community Colleges – Now, Tomorrow, and Into a Skills-Based Future
- 24 March 2025
Community colleges have long served as vital hubs for accessible education and workforce development. Adapting to the evolving job market, they are increasingly embracing skills-based learning. This shift prioritises practical skills and industry alignment, preparing learners for a future where skills are paramount. In this information-rich Credentialate guide, we explore: How are community colleges adapting to skills-based learning? What role
The Ultimate Guide to the Portrait of A Graduate
- 10 February 2025
The Portrait of a Graduate framework redefines education by focusing on the holistic development of learners. Moving beyond grades, it emphasizes critical thinking, collaboration, and resilience - skills vital for life and work. Backed by digital credentials, Portrait of a Graduate showcases achievements, aligning education with community needs and real-world readiness. In this information-rich Credentialate Guide, we ask: What is
Lifelong Learning and Competency-Based Approaches for a Changing Workforce
- 25 September 2024
Lifelong learning involves the continuous pursuit of knowledge throughout an individual’s life, extending beyond traditional educational settings. Competency-based education (CBE) focuses on mastering specific skills, regardless of the learning environment, allowing learners to progress at their own pace and acquire practical competencies for success. In this information-rich Credentialate Guide, we ask - What is lifelong learning’s role in today’s workforce?
21st-Century Skills – What They Are and Why They’re Important
- 08 March 2024
We often hear the term, “21st-century skills.” However, it is not often clear exactly what that means and how it relates to things like employability, education, and hiring. As old jobs fall victim to automation and advancing technology, the need for transferrable skills and new knowledge and competencies has increased. In this information-rich Credentialate Guide, we examine the workplace needs
Tech Enablement of Next-Generation Learning
- 18 October 2023
There is an ongoing transformation of education towards a skills-focused and tech-enabled educational model. The learning community is shifting away from traditional four-year degrees, with major tech companies no longer requiring them and instead emphasising skills. In this information-rich Credentialate Guide, we ask - what does Next Generation Learning look like? What are the challenges and opportunities associated with shifting
How Connecting Degrees to Careers Can Address the Decline in Degree Value
- 12 October 2022
Four-year degrees have seen a marked drop in enrolment and completion rates in recent years. Learners are critically weighing the value of full degrees against typically shorter, less expensive skills-based learning, to quickly develop high-demand workplace skills. The investment in time and money - with no guarantee of work at the end - and the rise of skills-based hiring among
What Learners Need from Employability
- 27 October 2021
All degrees are not created equal, and employers know that. They also know that just because a learner has completed a course of study does not mean they have both the soft and hard skills needed to perform the work in the position they are seeking. In other words, a degree does not equal employability in all cases. In this
Employment vs. Employability Data – Assessing Current & New Data Needs
- 14 July 2021
What’s the difference between employment and employability data? What can employability data tell us about a learner's job or career prospects? In this information-rich Credentialate Guide we look at the currently available data and what data we could be capturing to give us a better understanding of learner employability, with the ultimate aim of driving graduate employability outcomes. (more…)
Learner and Graduate Outcomes – What Your Education Gets You Now
- 04 May 2021
What do current learner and graduate outcomes look like? From a societal perspective, what are we getting for our education spending? And are these acceptable given the needs of the new global economy? In this information-rich Credentialate Guide, we will look at what data we have from countries that collect and publish graduate outcome data - including Australia, the UK,
