Credential WV equips learners with verifiable digital badges to prove skills, advance careers, and meet workforce needs
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Oct. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Accredible, the world's leading digital credentialing platform, today announced its partnership with the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (WVHEPC) to support the next step in the state's microcredentialing efforts through the introduction of digital badges. Part of the state's Credential WV initiative, this launch enables students, job seekers, and adult learners to earn portable, verifiable digital credentials that recognize in-demand, workforce-relevant skills, helping them stand out in a fast-changing job market.
The digital badging launch marks a major step forward in West Virginia's multi-year plan to modernize and expand microcredentialing opportunities statewide. The first digital credentials are expected to be awarded after the Fall 2025 semester, starting with 11 participating institutions such as Concord University, Fairmont State University, and Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College, among the early adopters. Issued via Accredible's platform, the digital credentials provide accessible, data-rich information about the knowledge and skills learners have acquired and can be easily shared on LinkedIn and other platforms or stored in a personal digital wallet.
"Credential WV was designed to help learners of all backgrounds build relevant, job-ready skills," said Dr. Chris Rasmussen, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs for the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission. "By partnering with Accredible, we're helping institutions make those achievements both verifiable and shareable — giving students a meaningful way to showcase what they've learned and how they're ready to contribute. It's a powerful step forward for learners, institutions, and the workforce."
The digital badging partnership is being announced as part of the Credential West Virginia Fall Summit being held in Charleston. Summit attendees are receiving on-the-ground technical support for microcredential development, attending sessions on important topics like curriculum development, data collection, and quality assurance, and discussing ways to strengthen partnerships among campuses, employers, and workforce leaders across the state.
A Modern Credential for a Skills-First Economy
Microcredentials — short, focused learning experiences that help students develop in-demand skills — are at the heart of Credential WV's three-year strategy to make education more flexible, stackable, and aligned to workforce needs. By issuing digital credentials through Accredible, learners will receive:
- Verifiable proof of skills earned in both academic and non-degree programs
- A digital wallet to manage and share achievements throughout their careers
- A competitive edge in job searches and employer conversations
- Stackable credentials that can build toward future degrees or new career pathways
Credential WV's digital badging rollout also reflects the growing market demand for more visible, portable recognition of skills. According to the 2024 State of Credentialing report, 96% of learners who earned a digital credential consider it valuable for their career, and 78% believe it increases their chances of receiving a job offer. Employers are equally aligned: The 2025 report shows 91% of HR and talent leaders look for digital credentials when reviewing candidates, and 86% say they're more likely to interview someone who holds a credential proving a key skill.
"West Virginia is demonstrating what's possible when a state invests in skills-first education," said Dan Theckston, Chief Customer Officer at Accredible. "We're proud to partner with WVHEPC and the participating institutions to elevate their reach and enhance the learner experience with secure and shareable digital credentials that empower learners to translate their achievements into future opportunities with confidence."
To learn more about Credential WV, visithttps://wvclimb.com/credential-wv. To see an example of a Credential WV digital credential in action, click here.
About Accredible
Accredible is the world's leading digital credential platform, enabling education and training leaders to increase learner engagement and drive program growth. Over 2,300 organizations, including Google, IAPP, McGraw Hill, Rutgers, Skillsoft, Slack, and the University of Cambridge, rely on Accredible to manage and measure everything from issuing digital certificates and badges to visualizing learning pathways to spotlighting certified learners. Founded in 2013, Accredible has helped issue and verify over 160 million career-advancing credentials. To learn more, visit accredible.com.
Media Contact
Ryan Greives, Accredible, 1 7655329198, [email protected], www.accredible.com
SOURCE Accredible
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