The document discusses various types of credentials that validate an individual's skills and qualifications, highlighting their importance in the hiring process and potential wage benefits. It categorizes credentials into degrees, certificates, licenses, and industry certifications, among others, and emphasizes the concept of stackable credentials that facilitate career advancement. Additionally, it mentions the resources available for exploring these credentials and the Illinois state agencies involved in supporting credential attainment.

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Illinois Pathways
Credentials and Assessments
March 2015
www.ilpathways.com

2. A credential is a document,
certificate, license, or digital
badge proving a person's
qualifications. You earn
credentials by proving you
have the knowledge and
the skills that are required,
often through completing
courses or training and
taking tests.
Credentials give an
advantage in the hiring
process.
Some industries may pay a
higher wage when job
candidates demonstrate a
higher level of skills.
Some jobs require that you
have a credential or a
license. For example, truck
drivers and healthcare
professionals need a license
to perform their jobs.
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Credentials include: degrees; diplomas; credit-bearing, noncredit, and work readiness
certificates; badges; professional/industry certifications; apprenticeships; and licenses—all of
which, in different ways, testify to people’s skills, knowledge, and abilities.

3. Educational
Credentials
• Awarded based upon
completion of credit bearing
courses.
Noncredit Certificates
• Awarded for course
completion Apprenticeship-
related credentials
governed by labor-
management partnerships.
Industry Certifications
• Awarded by industry and
professional associations.
Licenses
• Awarded by states to
practice a profession.
Other Credentials
• Digital Badges
• GED
• Career Readiness
Types of Credentials:
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4. Support
completion by
building
momentum.
Be aligned with
employer
needs.
Facilitate
student
transitions.
Stackable Credential: Part of a sequence of credentials that can be accumulated over time to
build up an individual’s qualifications, and help them move along a career pathway or up a
career ladder to different and potentially higher-paying jobs. (Source: TEGL 15- 10,
www.doleta.gov)
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Select Credentials with any Pathway and Level.

6. 6
• View related credentials with
the option to search and
export to a spreadsheet
(CSV).
• Links to credential website.
Credentials/Assessments - widely
recognized certificates that have
market value and can be obtained
through the completion of academic
assessments and programs, or through
industry-recognized training and
certificate-granting institutions.

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Optional advanced search and export that will default to open in a spreadsheet.

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www.ilpathways.com
State of Illinois Agency Partners:
Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
Illinois State Board of Education
Illinois Community College Board
Illinois Board of Higher Education
Illinois Student Assistance Commission
Illinois Department of Employment Security