Griffith University has partnered with Credly to launch a new employability initiative, Griffith Credentials.

The Griffith Credentials program has been established largely in response to the changing needs of employers, who have increasingly expressed that, alongside tertiary qualifications, less-quantifiable skills such as interpersonal communication, critical judgment and the ability to work as part of a team are an important factor in employment success once graduates transition to the workplace.

“Today’s labour market is dynamic with new jobs being created in emerging fields, but traditional qualifications and job titles mask the suite of skills, experience and expertise that employees can bring to these new roles,” Academic Registrar Ms Kathy Grgic said.

“Digital credentials have emerged as the solution to this workforce problem, allowing employers to ensure that potential candidates possess the relevant skills and capabilities required for a given role.”

There are eight broad groups under which Griffith Credentials will be awarded to both current students and to professionals undertaking short courses to upskill. Students’ achievements in obtaining a Griffith Credential will be certified through a digital badge.

Collectively, the badges acknowledge current students’ remarkable academic achievements as well as extracurricular and cross-curricular activities, including work placement and volunteer experience.

Two thousand Griffith University students who achieved outstanding academic results in 2018 are receiving a digital badge today. Issued through Credly’s Acclaim platform, the badges are shareable on LinkedIn and other social media platforms and are the first issued under the Griffith Credentials program.

Final-year Bachelor of Business Information Systems student Lucas McBurney is among the inaugural group of badge recipients, and believes the obvious benefits of the program speak for themselves.

“Receiving a digital badge for the Griffith Award for Academic Excellence in 2018 will allow me to show this achievement to a much wider audience,” Lucas said. “Normally, this award would be noted on my transcript; however, with Griffith Credentials I can include this achievement digitally on my LinkedIn profile or visually show it on my résumé.

“Through Griffith Credentials, I can share my accomplishments in my studies with future employers, allowing them to see exactly what I have achieved.”

Griffith Credentials and accompanying digital badges will also be issued to Queensland school teachers, principals and health professionals who have undertaken short courses (microcredentials) at Griffith. The badges recognise that recipients have obtained additional skills that could enhance their professional development, improve opportunities for promotion or facilitate career change.

Achieving a digital badge can enhance employment opportunities, not only through their visible and transportable nature on online platforms such as LinkedIn but also through matching algorithms that align badged skills with live job advertisements, giving students valuable insights to employment opportunities and the broader labour market.

“Tertiary qualifications are a crucial prerequisite for a number of employers, but academic results alone often don’t do students justice in highlighting their broader skills, knowledge and capabilities,” Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic) Professor Debra Henly said.

“The innovative Griffith Credentials program is designed to help our students recognise and showcase the diversity of expertise and experiences they have accumulated during their studies, whether through such activities as social clubs, work and volunteer experience, or informal learning in their community.”

For more information, see the Griffith Credentials website.