The End of Average: How We Succeed in a World That Values Sameness

by Todd Rose

While the idea of credentials may seem a bit radical, the reality is that it has been an important part of skill-based education for a long time. For example, MIT already offers several credentialing programs (they call them “certificates”), including credentials in areas like supply chain management, managing complex technical projects, and big data (to name just a few).15 Virginia, meanwhile, has a large-scale state-sponsored program offering credentials in several industries, including information technology, cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing, energy, and health care.16 The jobs that credentialed graduates obtain in these industries pay well and offer long-term career opportunities. The program requires approximately two to three weeks of full-time training in a simulated work environment and costs a total of $250 for each credential (the remaining costs are shouldered by industry, who are getting employees trained in the skills they need). So far, 93 percent of credentialed graduates from the program have obtained jobs. According to Governor Terry McAuliffe, the program has a goal of delivering nearly half a million credentials by 2030.17

this is huge!!