Skill badges: what they are and how on-the-go assessments use them

Skill badges are digital records of a skill-related achievement. Their meaning depends on the issuer, the earning criteria and the assessment behind them. A useful badge lets a reader check what was assessed, who issued it and how to verify the record. The badge image alone does not establish competence. An assessment completed on a phone or during a short learning activity can support a badge, but the issuer decides when review is complete and the badge can be awarded.

The sections below explain how to read and share a skill badge, with a concrete example of how assessment requirements vary by issuer.

Showcasing your skills and achievements

One of the most significant benefits of digital badges is their ability to showcase your skills and achievements in a concise and easily shareable way. Unlike traditional resumes or CVs, which can be long and unwieldy, digital badges offer a quick and easy way to communicate your accomplishments to potential employers, colleagues, and clients. By displaying a collection of badges on your online profile, you can highlight your expertise in specific areas and provide tangible evidence of your abilities.

Building credibility and authority

Digital badges can also help you build credibility and authority in your field. When you earn a badge from a reputable organization or platform, it serves as an endorsement of your skills and knowledge. This can be particularly valuable when you’re just starting out in a new field or looking to transition to a different role. By earning badges from well-respected sources, you can establish yourself as a competent and knowledgeable professional.

Accessing new opportunities

A relevant badge can give an employer a specific achievement to discuss, but it does not guarantee an interview, a job or promotion. Share the linked credential alongside a work sample and explain how the assessed skill relates to the role. The employer still needs to judge the evidence and its relevance.

Personalized skill assessment

A badge records the outcome of an assessment or activity; it does not make the assessment personalized by itself. The issuer must define the task, the evidence required and the standard for earning the badge. Check those requirements before enrolling or comparing two badges.

For example, Google Cloud distinguishes skill badges from certifications: a skill badge requires hands-on labs and a final assessment challenge lab, while its certifications require a proctored exam. These are Google Cloud’s requirements, not a universal rule for every issuer.

Personalized skill assessment also allows individuals to tailor their learning and professional development to their specific needs. By identifying areas where they need further development, individuals can seek out additional training or resources to improve their skills. This can help individuals to stay competitive in their field and advance their careers.

Online badge generator

The online badge generator is a tool that enables users to create customized digital badges quickly and easily. These badges can be designed with a range of options, including colors, shapes, and images, to best represent the skills or achievements being recognized. The badge generator often provides pre-designed templates and customizable text, allowing users to tailor the badge to their specific needs. Online badge generators are ideal for those who may not have design experience or the necessary tools to create their own badges. With a few clicks, users can create badges that are professional-looking and that meet their specific needs. The badge generator may also offer the option to include metadata, such as the criteria for earning the badge or the issuer, which adds an extra layer of information to the badge.

Many online badge generators also offer options for sharing the badges. Users can choose to download the badge in various file formats, such as PNG or SVG, for use on their website, online profiles, or email signature. Alternatively, users can share the badge directly from the generator to social media or other online platforms. In addition to creating badges for individual use, the badge generator can also be useful for organizations and institutions. Employers, schools, and other groups can use the generator to create badges that align with their specific goals and recognize the achievements of their employees or students. This can be particularly valuable for companies and institutions that offer training or professional development programs. By using a badge generator to create custom badges, these organizations can recognize and reward their employees or students while also showcasing their own brand. 

Choose a badge by its earning criteria and supporting evidence, then share the credential link so readers can inspect the record. If you are building a program, explore Sertifier digital badges and define the assessment and award decision before designing the badge image.

Frequently asked questions about skill badges

What is a skill badge?

A skill badge is a digital record of a skill-related achievement. Read the issuer, earning criteria and available evidence to understand what it represents; the image alone is not proof of competence.

How is a skill badge different from a certificate?

The name alone does not tell you how much was assessed. Both badges and certificates can recognize different kinds of achievement. Compare the issuer, scope, assessment requirements and verification method.

Are skill badges verifiable?

Verification depends on how the badge was issued. Open Badges 3.0 defines a credential format using cryptographic proofs or signatures. Checking a credential does not by itself establish that its assessment was rigorous or relevant to a particular job.

Where can you display skill badges?

You can share a badge on a professional profile, online resume, email signature or personal site. Include the credential or verification link where the issuer provides one so readers can inspect the record.

How do you earn a skill badge?

You earn a badge by meeting the issuer’s stated criteria. These may involve an assessment, project or completed activity. Review and award timing vary by program; automatic or instant issuance is not guaranteed.

For the technical format, see the 1EdTech Open Badges 3.0 specification. For a closer look at the evidence behind a credential, read our skill badge evidence and verification guide.