The labor market and higher education landscapes are rapidly evolving, demanding greater agility and innovation from institutions and individuals alike. A 2023 report by the World Economic Forum found that 44% of workers’ core skills will need to change by 2027 to keep pace with technological advancements and industry shifts.
Simultaneously, data from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) shows that proficiency in digital tools like Excel remains one of the top skills employers seek in new hires, while employers’ likelihood of using GPA as a screener for new hires has plummeted by over 40% since 2017. The Burning Glass Institute warns that “the bachelor’s degree is facing an identity crisis.”
For higher education institutions and their degrees to remain competitive and provide students with tangible value, they must align their programs with workforce needs. This includes offering industry-recognized, stackable credentials that enable students to build, validate, and showcase their skills progressively. However, implementing such programs can feel challenging due to resource gaps, ingrained systems, or resistance to change. Those institutions that evolve despite these challenges secure their place in an increasingly unpredictable landscape.
As the global job market continues to demand adaptability and digital proficiency, institutions that embrace innovation will better equip their graduates and strengthen their institutional reputation.
The Workforce Demand for Digital Proficiency Credentials
For most readers, formal degrees and grade point averages were likely a significant (if not top) deciding factor in their first employers’ hiring decisions. Today, employers are no longer satisfied with general degrees or vague skill assertions and are feeling increasingly concerned by skills gaps in their respective workforces. In fact, 87% of executives report either currently experiencing skills gaps in the workforce or are expecting them soon. More and more, employers require tangible proof of expertise to make informed hiring and upskilling decisions, including evidence of familiarity with widely used digital tools (e.g., Microsoft Word, PowerPoint) and industry-specific tools.
It’s not only employers that are demanding certificates and credentials. Prospective students are, too. A survey of nearly 5,000 students and employers across 11 countries (Australia, Egypt, France, Germany, India, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, UAE, UK, and US) showed that students and recent graduates globally believe stackable industry credentials make them more likely to land a job. The survey found:
- Ninety percent agreed or strongly agreed that earning an entry-level professional certificate will help them stand out to employers and secure jobs when they graduate—and 86% agreed that a stackable credential would help them succeed in their job.
- On average, students were 76% more likely (74% in US) to enroll in a degree program that offered stackable industry credentials.
- More than half (55%) wanted to earn a Professional Certificate that counts as credit towards their degree.
The Importance of Stackable Credentials
Stackable credentials are a reliable way to bridge the gap between traditional higher education and workforce readiness. As a learner builds one microcredential on top of another, they certifiy the achievement of specific building blocks of learning in a particular skill area that can grow with them from postsecondary study well into their careers. By enabling students to build skills incrementally, these credentials foster a culture of lifelong learning and further solidify the direct connection between postsecondary study and workforce mobility.
Tosa’s stackable certifications allow students to start at foundational levels, such as mastering tools like Microsoft Word or Adobe Photoshop, and progress to advanced, expert-level skills. For instance, a student could begin with a productive-level certification in middle school and graduate with an advanced certification in a career-focused program. This progression not only strengthens resumes but provides a measurable record of continuous development—a key factor for employers seeking adaptive and skilled candidates. In fact, LinkedIn named “adaptability” as “the top skill in the moment” for 2024.
What to Look for in a Stackable Credential Skills Validator
Not all credentialing programs are created equal. The Hechinger Report published an article entitled, “Credential chaos: Growing ‘maze’ of education credentials is confusing consumers and employers,” which elaborated on the growing availability of postsecondary training, including fakes and scammers jumping at the chance to charge money in exchange for nearly worthless credentials. To truly benefit students and institutions, a skills validation program must be industry-recognized and needs to meet specific criteria to ensure relevance, reliability, and adaptability.
1. Proficiency-Based Certifications
Contrary to most models, proficiency-based skills validation beats traditional pass/fail certifications, because they lack the granularity needed to evaluate candidates' true abilities in general and industry-specific digital tools. Proficiency-based models like Tosa address this gap by validating skills on a 5-level scale, from beginner to expert. This approach not only gives employers actionable insights but empowers students and postsecondary educators with a clear understanding of their current level and areas for growth.
Students and employers alike report satisfaction with proficiency-based certification results. For example, 89% of Tosa students report increased confidence in their skills, as well as higher performance in internships and early career roles. This alignment with real-world workforce demands ensures they are prepared to succeed in competitive environments. Institutions that integrate such models into their curricula directly contribute to their students’ employability and long-term success.
2. Adaptive Testing for Precision
Programs like Tosa that leverage adaptive testing dynamically adjust question difficulty based on student responses. This approach mirrors standardized testing models (e.g., the GMAT) to ensure authentic skill demonstration while reducing test fatigue.
3. Digital Diplomas for Verifiable Results
In the era of AI, where nearly anyone can make (or fake) anything, digital diplomas are vital for secure, credible certification. Tosa’s digital credentials enable instant verification, reducing risks of fraud and increasing trust between students, institutions, and employers.
4. Curriculum Agnosticism
Finding a digital skills credentialing solution that doesn’t overhaul course syllabi is challenging to find, but it’s not impossible. Solutions that have supporting courseware allow for streamlined adoption. For example, for students taking Tosa certifications, the Isograd Learning Platform is aligned courseware that is self-paced, fully interactive, and designed to help students prepare for certification assessments successfully.
5. Alignment with Workforce Demands
The best credential programs cover a range of relevant tools and skills that align directly with high-demand roles. Tosa certifications span key areas, including:
- Tosa Desktop (Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite)
- Tosa Graphics (Adobe Suite, AutoCAD)
- Tosa Digital (Salesforce, WordPress, Digital Literacy, Cybersecurity)
- Tosa Code (Python, JavaScript, Web Developer)
These certifications cater to diverse career pathways, from IT and business to creative arts and cybersecurity, ensuring students gain skills aligned with the highest-earning potential fields.
The Value of Stackable Industry-Recognized Credentials for Students and Institutions
Stackable credentials offer a mutual benefit to stakeholders across a higher education community: students stay engaged in their learning journey, educators can increase focus on essential content knowledge, and institutions position themselves as leaders in workforce readiness. As industries evolve, students with ongoing certifications remain competitive, adaptable, and ready to seize emerging opportunities.
Value for Students
- Increased Workforce Confidence: Tosa-certified students report higher confidence in their abilities, knowing their skills meet industry standards.
- Improved Performance: Certified students excel in internships, applying proven skills effectively in real-world scenarios.
- Enhanced Marketability: In competitive job markets, verified credentials provide a clear edge, with employers valuing skill transparency over traditional grades.
Value for Institutions
- Curriculum Integration: Tosa certifications align seamlessly with existing curricula, ensuring minimal disruption and maximum impact.
- Instructional Efficiency: Proficiency-based assessments provide detailed progress reports, enabling tailored instruction and improved learning outcomes.
- Reputation and Graduate Success: Institutions that produce graduates with validated, in-demand skills elevate their reputation, attracting future students and partnerships.
Future-Proofing Students and Institutions with Industry-Recognized Credentials
To remain competitive and support students in meeting workforce demands, higher education institutions must embrace stackable, industry-recognized credentials to solidify the postsecondary to workforce pathway. Programs like Tosa empower students to build skills incrementally, stay relevant in dynamic markets, and confidently step into their careers.
By integrating stackable industry-recognized certifications into your institution’s offerings, you can:
- Equip students with validated, in-demand digital skills.
- Enhance your institution’s reputation for workforce readiness.
- Help students stand out in the job market with measurable proficiency and progressive skill development.
To learn more on this topic, watch our on-demand webinar!
