From Issuance to Impact: A Blueprint for Usable and Trusted Credentials

There are plenty of programs that issue digital badges and certificates to their learners. The most impactful programs, however, are also ensuring those credentials are used, understood, and trusted.

Learners need credentials they can explain — to employers, admissions teams, and even to themselves. Employers need credentials they can recognize, validate, and trust. And program leaders need to show that their credentials drive measurable, real-world outcomes.

In this session, grounded in insights from over 500 employers and leading programs like Junior Achievement, University of Illinois, and Syracuse University, you’ll learn how to design credentials that are not just earned, but also explained, shared, verified, and valued.

You'll discover how to:

• Build scalable credential frameworks that earn trust
• Boost visibility and value through transcripts, directories, and endorsements
• Help learners confidently articulate and share their achievements
• Track and communicate the career outcomes that matter most to learners

Whether you’re fine-tuning a well-established initiative or working to amplify the value of your existing credentials, this session will equip you with actionable strategies to turn credentials into meaningful, market-aligned career currency.