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Manufacturers provide extensive on-the-job training but are slow to adopt credentials, study reveals

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Summary

This article discusses the need for credentials in the manufacturing industry, due to the skills crisis and coming retirement wave. The article reveals that many employers don't understand the value of credentials and rely heavily on on-the-job training. Workcred's study recommends that employers capture formal training with credentialing, such as digital badges, and retool job descriptions to indicate what kind of credentials and skills the company values and needs. This could help both workers and educators know what skills are needed in the current market.

Q&As

What is the purpose of the Workcred study?
The purpose of the Workcred study is to examine the uneven use of credentials in the hiring process and to explore how employers can widen their talent pools and value credentials appropriately.

What skills gap is the manufacturing industry facing?
The manufacturing industry is facing a skills crisis and a coming retirement wave.

What is the impact of digitization on the need for workers in the manufacturing industry?
The impact of digitization on the need for workers in the manufacturing industry is that workers need to be trained to use new digital tools.

What challenges do employers face when attempting to value credentials?
Challenges employers face when attempting to value credentials include a lack of readily available information on credentials, a lack of tracking of such credentialing internally, and a desire to see skills proven in an employee’s work.

What are some solutions employers can use to upskill more mindfully?
Solutions employers can use to upskill more mindfully include capturing formal training with credentialing such as digital badges, retooling job descriptions to indicate what kind of credentials and skills the company values and needs, and regularly updating job descriptions to provide credential issuers with trusted sources of information.

AI Comments

👍 This article is a great resource for employers to understand the value of credentialing and the impact of digitization on the workforce. It provides a comprehensive look into the opportunities available for upskilling and the importance of tracking and showcasing workers' skills.

👎 The lack of understanding and value of credentialing amongst manufacturers is concerning and highlights the need for employers to be more mindful of upskilling their workforce. It is worrying that employees are extensively skilled but lack a way to showcase their abilities.

AI Discussion

Me: It discusses the issue of credentialing in the manufacturing industry and how employers are slow to adopt it despite needing skilled workers. It also suggests that employers should be more mindful of upskilling and capture formal training with credentialing to signify the kind of skills each worker has earned on the job.

Friend: That's interesting. It's good that employers are investing in training, but it's a shame that they're not taking advantage of credentials. It could be an opportunity to widen their talent pools and make sure they're hiring the best qualified people.

Me: Absolutely. It also shows that job descriptions should be updated regularly to reflect the kind of credentials and skills the company values and needs. This way, credential issuers can have a trusted source from which to get this information.

Action items

Research and understand the value of credentials in the current market.
Update job descriptions to indicate the skills and competencies that the company values.
Invest in formal training and credentialing, such as digital badges, to signify the kind of skills each worker has earned on the job.

Technical terms

On-the-job training: Training that occurs in the workplace, usually under the guidance of experienced employees.
Credentialing: The process of verifying the qualifications of an individual, such as through a certification or license.
Skills-first hiring: A hiring approach that focuses on the skills and abilities of a potential employee, rather than their educational background or experience.
Skills crisis: A situation in which there is a shortage of skilled workers in a particular industry or sector.
Digitization: The process of converting information into digital form.
Value chain: A set of activities that a company performs to create value for its customers.
Upskilling: The process of developing and acquiring new skills and knowledge.
Digital badges: A digital representation of a skill or achievement that can be displayed on a website or social media profile.