Education Design Lab offers three levels of participation in the Skills Validation Network.
What if we could truly recognize and validate the skills gained from life itself?
For 22 months, 19 organizations joined forces in the Skills Validation Network (SVN) to tackle this very question, and the results are now available in Innovations in Skills Validation: A Year in Review. This publication takes you behind-the-scenes into the breakthroughs, stakeholder insights, and a look at the network’s three innovative skills validation prototypes.
While we learned much about the challenges and opportunities of skills validation beyond traditional assessment methods, we know there is still much to learn. That is why we are eager to announce SVN 2.0, with a new twist: Three levels of participation.
Successful skills validation efforts require the coordination of many stakeholders including education providers, employers, and more. These groups do not often have the opportunity to interact to specifically address skills validation efforts. Our network allows participants with various points of view to work together to address the wicked problems standing in the way of successful validation of skills, with an emphasis on durable skills. Based on feedback from stakeholders interested in skills validation, we decided to create multiple levels of involvement to accommodate member interests and availability.
Action
Those who are interested in active co-design can join our Community of Action (CoA). The CoA meets for one hour monthly to collaboratively design “innovations” aimed at empowering STARs (individuals Skilled Through Alternative Routes) with valuable labor market currency along with agency, mobility, and visibility in a rapidly changing, skills-based economy. Participation is free of charge and meetings are not required (although regular attendance is expected), but members must sign an agreement to join. This is the highest level of commitment to the SVN and is a good fit for those who would like to be an active part of the design process and sharing of SVN findings.
Practice
Folks who are interested in learning about skills validation and sharing their perspectives can join our Community of Practice (CoP). The CoP receives regular invitations to engage with the Lab through exclusive webinars, polls, and feedback opportunities that advance skills validation efforts across the learn+work ecosystem. Participation is free of charge, regular attendance is not required or expected, and members can opt to share their name and logo on the SVN webpage as members. This is a middle level of commitment to the SVN with opportunities to actively contribute, but may be a better fit for those who cannot commit to or are not ready for regular attendance.
Interest
Anyone who would like to stay in-the-know about skills validation, but has limited time to dedicate to active design and participation can join our Community of Interest (CoI) to receive periodic updates and exclusive skills validation content generated by the SVN. There is no cost or expectations at this level of commitment. It is a good fit for someone interested in skills validation, but not ready or interested in participating in the co-design aspects of the network. Members of the CoI can opt in to the other levels at any time if they are interested.
It takes a community to change a community. It is our hope to gather as many diverse stakeholders as possible to engage in this work, at the level of participation that most suits their needs and interests.
Are you interested in skills validation? Join the SVN at one of three levels. Complete the SVN interest form and we’ll reach out.
Meghan Raftery is an education designer on the Skills Development + Validation team. She has an extensive background in competency-based education and skills validation, having developed performance-based assessments and micro-credentials for K12 and adult learners for more than 15 years. Meghan leads the Lab’s Skills Validation Network (SVN).
