Digital Badges

A digital badge is a secure, verified online record of an achievement, skill or learning experience. It can recognise learning gained through short courses, volunteering or professional development, including achievements that may not be reflected in grades or traditional qualifications.

Digital badges are more than just images. Each badge contains verified information about:

• What an individual has achieved
• The skills or knowledge they have demonstrated
• The organisation that issued the badge
• When the badge was issued
• The requirements that were met to earn it

This information provides evidence of learning and helps employers understand and trust the achievement represented by the badge.

Unlike a paper certificate, a digital badge can be stored online and shared easily with employers, learning providers and other organisations.

People develop valuable skills and knowledge through many different types of learning, but these achievements are not always easy to demonstrate.

Digital badges provide a clear and portable way to recognise someone has achieved. They can help to build a record of learning and communicate skills to others. They can also help employers understand the skills and experience that an individual has gained. 

Digital badges can be shared through CVs and job applications, LinkedIn profiles, email signatures and digital portfolios. This allows employers and other organisations to view verified information about someone’s capabilities, knowledge, skills and experience at a glance.

The advantages of Digital Badges are many and as they become more popular this will increase.

Other than the information held within the data stored within the badge, there are a number of key benefits:

• Demonstrate skills and achievements
• Build confidence
• Create a digital record of learning
• Strengthen CVs and job applications
• Share evidence of achievements with employers
• Add badges to online profiles such as LinkedIn
• Support next steps into employment, further learning or career progression