The Emerging LER ecosystem is a layer of the internet designed to allow organizations to issue verifiable credentials that act as trusted envelopes of data that can be issued to an individual in a way where they can carry and share that data with other organizations of their choice in trustworthy, interoperable and useful ways.
Asia (including China and India): In Asia, particularly in China and India, organizations like the China Electronics Standardization Institute (CESI), National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) in India, and China Academic Degrees & Graduate Education Development Center (CDGDC) have been instrumental in advancing the development of a global layer of the internet for interoperable learning and employment records, leveraging blockchain and digital credentialing technologies.
Key organizations like the European Blockchain Partnership (EBP), European Commission's Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture (DG EAC), and European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA) have made significant strides in promoting interoperable learning and employment records, fostering a cohesive digital layer across the continent.
In Latin America, organizations like the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) have been at the forefront of promoting digital innovation and skills development, contributing to the creation of a global layer of the internet for interoperable learning and employment records. Other entities such as the Organization of Ibero-American States for Education, Science, and Culture (OEI) have also been actively involved in exploring digital solutions for enhancing credential recognition and mobility in the region.
The African Union Commission (AUC) has spearheaded efforts in Africa to promote interoperable learning and employment records, collaborating with partners to harness blockchain and digital solutions. Additionally, organizations such as the African Development Bank (AfDB) have played a crucial role in supporting initiatives aimed at enhancing digital infrastructure and skills recognition across the continent.
Within Oceania, key organizations such as the Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employment and the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) have been driving initiatives to establish interoperable learning and employment records, facilitating seamless recognition of skills and qualifications across borders, contributing to the global layer of the internet for digital credentials.
Recognition of Achievements: The emerging Learning and Employment Record ecosystem allows individuals to document and showcase their accomplishments comprehensively. This goes beyond traditional resumes or CVs by including certifications, badges, projects, and other tangible evidence of skills and expertise. This recognition provides a more holistic view of an individual’s capabilities, giving them a competitive edge in the job market.
Personal Brand Enhancement: By curating a detailed record of their learning and employment journey, individuals can craft a strong personal brand. They can highlight their unique skills, experiences, and achievements, effectively differentiating themselves from other candidates. This enhanced personal brand not only attracts potential employers but also opens up opportunities for networking, collaborations, and career advancement.
Lifetime Learning Companion: The Learning and Employment Record serves as a lifelong companion for individuals on their learning journey. It tracks their educational achievements, professional development, and skill acquisition over time. By maintaining a comprehensive record of their learning experiences, individuals can identify areas for growth, set learning goals, and continuously evolve their skills to stay relevant in a rapidly changing job market.
Transparent Career and Learning Paths: With access to detailed records of their past experiences and achievements, individuals gain clarity on their career and learning paths. They can see how each accomplishment contributes to their overall progression and identify the steps needed to reach their goals. This transparency enables better career planning, informed decision-making, and the ability to navigate various opportunities with confidence.
Efficient Job Matching: Employers can leverage the rich data provided by the Learning and Employment Record ecosystem to find the most suitable candidates for job openings. By matching specific skills, qualifications, and experiences with job requirements, employers can streamline the recruitment process and identify candidates who are the best fit for the role. This efficiency benefits both employers and individuals, leading to better job matches and increased job satisfaction.
Holistic and Customized Guidance: The Learning and Employment Record ecosystem offers personalized guidance tailored to individual needs and goals. By analyzing an individual’s record, algorithms can provide recommendations for relevant learning opportunities, career pathways, and professional development resources. This holistic guidance helps individuals make informed decisions about their education, career, and skill development, maximizing their potential for success.
Continuous Skill Development: Through regular updates and reflections on their Learning and Employment Record, individuals are encouraged to engage in continuous skill development. They can identify emerging trends, acquire new skills, and adapt to changing industry demands proactively. This ongoing learning process ensures that individuals remain competitive in their fields and prepared for future opportunities.
Empowered Career Decision-Making: Armed with a comprehensive record of their achievements and skills, individuals are empowered to make confident career decisions. Whether considering a job change, pursuing further education, or exploring new opportunities, individuals can assess their strengths, weaknesses, and interests based on tangible evidence. This empowerment fosters a sense of control over one’s career trajectory and enhances overall career satisfaction.
Consistent Professional Reflection: The Learning and Employment Record encourages individuals to engage in regular reflection on their professional journey. By reviewing past experiences, identifying successes and challenges, and setting future goals, individuals can cultivate a habit of self-awareness and continuous improvement. This reflective practice enhances professional growth, fosters resilience, and promotes lifelong learning habits.
Precision in Talent Acquisition: The Learning and Employment Record ecosystem enables employers to identify and recruit candidates with precise skills and experiences that match their specific job requirements. By leveraging comprehensive data on candidates’ achievements, certifications, and past experiences, employers can make more informed hiring decisions, ensuring a better fit for their organization’s needs.
Strategic Workforce Planning: With access to detailed records of employees’ skills, competencies, and career aspirations, employers can conduct strategic workforce planning more effectively. They can anticipate future skill gaps, identify areas for development, and align their talent strategies with long-term business objectives. This proactive approach ensures that the organization has the right talent in place to drive innovation and growth.
Customized Workforce Development: Employers can use the data captured in the Learning and Employment Records to design customized workforce development programs tailored to the specific needs of their employees. By understanding each individual’s skills gaps and career goals, employers can offer targeted training and professional development opportunities that enhance employee performance and engagement.
Accelerated Onboarding Processes: The detailed profiles available in the Learning and Employment Records streamline the onboarding process for new hires. Employers can quickly assess candidates’ skills and experiences, identify areas where additional training may be needed, and tailor the onboarding experience accordingly. This accelerated onboarding process ensures that new employees become productive members of the team more quickly, reducing time-to-proficiency and increasing overall efficiency.
Strategic Recognition and Rewards: Employers can use the data-driven insights from Learning and Employment Records to implement strategic recognition and rewards programs. By identifying high-performing employees, recognizing their achievements, and rewarding them accordingly, employers can foster a culture of excellence and drive employee motivation and loyalty.
Data-Driven Career Pathing: Employers can leverage the wealth of data in Learning and Employment Records to facilitate data-driven career pathing for their employees. By analyzing employees’ skills, interests, and career aspirations, employers can provide targeted guidance on potential career trajectories within the organization, fostering employee development and retention.
Improved Succession Planning: With access to comprehensive employee profiles, employers can better identify potential successors for key roles within the organization. By analyzing employees’ skills, experiences, and career aspirations, employers can develop succession plans that ensure a smooth transition when key employees leave or move into new roles. This proactive approach to succession planning mitigates risks associated with talent gaps and ensures continuity in leadership and critical functions.
Enhanced Employee Engagement: The Learning and Employment Record ecosystem facilitates ongoing feedback and communication between employers and employees, enhancing overall employee engagement. By providing visibility into career development opportunities, recognizing achievements, and aligning employees’ goals with organizational objectives, employers can foster a sense of purpose and commitment among their workforce.
Strengthened Employer Brand: By offering personalized development opportunities, recognizing employees’ achievements, and facilitating career growth, employers can enhance their employer brand. A positive employer brand not only attracts top talent but also improves employee retention and loyalty, ultimately contributing to the organization’s long-term success and competitiveness in the market.
Enhanced Educational Outcomes: Schools can use Learning and Employment Records to track students’ progress, identify areas for improvement, and tailor educational experiences to meet individual needs. By analyzing students’ achievements, competencies, and learning styles, schools can implement targeted interventions and support mechanisms that lead to improved academic performance and overall educational outcomes.
Strategic Academic Planning: Learning and Employment Records provide schools with valuable insights into students’ strengths, interests, and career aspirations, enabling them to develop strategic academic plans that align with students’ goals and aspirations. By understanding students’ educational trajectories and desired outcomes, schools can design curriculum, programs, and initiatives that better prepare students for success in their chosen fields.
Individualized Learning Paths: With access to comprehensive data on students’ learning preferences, progress, and achievements, schools can create individualized learning paths that cater to diverse student needs. By personalizing the learning experience, schools can better engage students, address their unique learning challenges, and foster a deeper understanding of the subject matter.
Informed Alumni Engagement: Schools can leverage Learning and Employment Records to maintain ongoing engagement with alumni and support their career development journeys. By staying informed about alumni’s achievements, career paths, and ongoing learning experiences, schools can provide relevant resources, networking opportunities, and professional development support that contribute to alumni success and strengthen ties with the institution.
Efficient Resource Allocation: Learning and Employment Records enable schools to make data-driven decisions regarding resource allocation, ensuring that resources are allocated effectively to support student learning and success. By analyzing students’ needs, performance data, and feedback, schools can identify areas where additional resources or support may be required and allocate resources accordingly, maximizing the impact of available resources.
Accreditation and Recognition: Learning and Employment Records provide a robust evidence base for accreditation and recognition purposes, demonstrating the quality and effectiveness of educational programs and initiatives. By documenting students’ achievements, competencies, and learning outcomes, schools can provide compelling evidence to accrediting bodies, employers, and other stakeholders, enhancing the reputation and credibility of the institution.
Dynamic Career Counseling: Schools can use Learning and Employment Records to provide dynamic career counseling services that support students’ career exploration and decision-making processes. By analyzing students’ skills, interests, and career aspirations, schools can offer personalized guidance, resources, and support that help students make informed decisions about their educational and career paths.
Partnerships with Employers: Learning and Employment Records facilitate partnerships between schools and employers, enabling collaboration on curriculum development, work-integrated learning opportunities, and career placement initiatives. By sharing data on students’ skills, experiences, and achievements, schools can align their programs with industry needs, prepare students for the workforce, and facilitate smoother transitions from education to employment.
Continuous Program Improvement: Schools can use Learning and Employment Records to continuously evaluate and improve educational programs and initiatives. By analyzing data on student outcomes, satisfaction levels, and alumni success, schools can identify areas for enhancement, refine curriculum design, and implement evidence-based practices that optimize student learning experiences and outcomes over time.
LER Transparency and Accountability:
Policy Planning and Decision-Making:
Workforce Development and Economic Growth:
Labor Market Intelligence:
Promotion of Credential Portability:
Efficient Resource Allocation:
Enhanced Public Services and Support:
Data-Driven Policy Evaluation and Improvement:
Promotion of Lifelong Learning Culture:
International Collaboration and Harmonization:
For EdTech:
Personalized Learning Experiences:
Competency-Based Education:
Data-Driven Instructional Design:
Efficient Learning Assessment and Credentialing:
Lifelong Learning Support:
Alignment with Workforce Needs:
Professional Development for Educators:
Parent and Guardian Engagement:
For HR Tech:
Streamlined Talent Acquisition:
Data-Driven Recruitment and Selection:
Enhanced Employee Onboarding:
Talent Development and Succession Planning:
Performance Management and Career Growth:
Workforce Analytics and Planning:
Credential Verification and Compliance:
Employee Engagement and Retention:
Draft Recommended Practices for Learning and Employment Record (LER) Ecosystems
Interactive LER Ecosystem Map Outlines Roles for Educators and Employers to Use Skills-Based Systems
Learning and Employment Records Progress and the path forward
Building a Skills-Based Talent Marketplace Verifiable Credentials Wallets for Learning and Employment
Learning and Employment Records (LERs)
LEARNING AND EMPLOYMENT RECORD USE CASES
Credential data standards and cryptographically signed credentials
Learning & Employment Records Action Guide
At Gobekli, we are deeply committed to immersing ourselves in and contributing to the emergent Learning and Employment Record (LER) ecosystem. Through our dedicated endeavors, we aim to substantively advance this ecosystem while ensuring that our offerings remain at the vanguard of innovation and efficacy.
We take pride in our involvement in notable initiatives such as the Jobs for the Future Plugfests 1, 2 and 3, as well as the US Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Experience You project, facilitated by their T3 Innovation Network and Education Design Lab. These collaborative endeavors not only afford us the opportunity to share our expertise but also furnish invaluable insights into the dynamic landscape of LER and its practical applications.
In addition to our participation in these initiatives, we actively engage in various preeminent forums and networks, including the Open Skills Network, VC Edu, IEEE, and Ed Design Lab Open Competency Meetings, among others. Through our immersion in these scholarly discourses and interactions, we ensure comprehensive awareness of the latest developments, standards, and best practices within the LER ecosystem.
Our engagement in these scholarly arenas not only enriches our understanding but also empowers us to develop enhanced tools and products that cater to the evolving exigencies of our collaborators and the broader community. By maintaining close connections and active engagement, we steadfastly uphold our commitment to furnishing the most utilitarian, interoperable, and verifiable solutions for all stakeholders within the LER ecosystem.
LER Shared Services:
LER Awarder:
LER Credential Transmitter:
LER Digital Wallets:
LER Talent Marketplaces:
In the Learning and Employment Record (LER) ecosystem, various standards play a crucial role in facilitating interoperability, transparency, and trust in credentialing and skill recognition. Here’s an overview of the different kinds of standards that exist in this ecosystem and what they can do:
Credential Standards:
Competency and Skill Frameworks:
Data Interoperability Standards:
Privacy and Security Standards:
Semantic Interoperability Standards:
Overall, these standards play a critical role in enabling the seamless exchange, integration, and interpretation of data and credentials within the LER ecosystem, ultimately enhancing transparency, efficiency, and trust in education and employment systems.
The emergence of the Learning and Employment Record (LER) ecosystem has been influenced by various factors, including technological advancements, educational reforms, and shifts in workforce dynamics. Here’s a historical evolution of the LER ecosystem and its complements, along with relevant executive orders and innovations that have pushed it forward:
Early Credentialing Systems (Pre-2000s):
Digital Credentialing and Online Learning Platforms (Early 2000s):
Open Badges and Credential Standards (2010s):
Government Initiatives and Executive Orders (2010s – Present):
Blockchain Technology and Decentralized Identity (Mid-2010s – Present):
Global Adoption and Standardization Efforts (Present):
Overall, the historical evolution of the LER ecosystem has been characterized by advancements in technology, policy initiatives promoting credential transparency and recognition, and collaboration between stakeholders from academia, government, industry, and civil society. As the ecosystem continues to evolve, efforts towards standardization, interoperability, and trust will be critical in realizing its full potential to empower individuals, support lifelong learning, and drive economic opportunity.
Designed to help any organization understand, strategize, develop and implement their own LER and AI services, our partnership packages create an accessible way for your organization to build or adapt their Learning and Employment Records strategy for the future.
We provide three tiers of partnership based on your organizations stage of development that allow for easy and scalable access to the information, technology, strategies and talent to ensure your organization is future ready, in their own way.