Your skills. Your story. Your future.
West Virginia’s Credential WV initiative helps you show the world exactly what you can do while you’re still in school. Through microcredentials, you earn recognition for the skills and knowledge employers want most.
What’s a microcredential?
A microcredential is a short, focused recognition of learning — proof that you have mastered a clearly defined skill or competency that employers value. It goes beyond simply completing a course:
- Targeted: Each microcredential focuses on a specific, measurable outcome—such as communication, problem-solving, teamwork, or a technical specialty—so employers know exactly what you can do.
- High-quality: Faculty and subject-matter experts set clear standards and evaluate your work to ensure the credential represents college-level learning and real-world application.
- Recognized: Your achievement is validated by your college or university, which means it carries the same academic integrity as other institutional credentials.
- Portable: Each microcredential may include a digital badge—a verified, shareable record you can add to your résumé, LinkedIn profile, or Learning & Employment Record (LER) so employers can easily see your skills.
Microcredentials give you, and future employers, confidence that the skills you’ve earned are not only documented, but also quality-assured and meaningful in today’s workforce.
Why microcredentials matter
- Jump-start your career: Collect credentials as you complete courses or projects —no need to wait for graduation.
- Stand out to employers: These recognitions clearly show the skills you’ve mastered, from essential workplace abilities to industry-specific expertise.
- Stack your success: Combine microcredentials to build toward a degree or add new capabilities that keep you competitive.
How it works in West Virginia
- Learn – Take part in courses, projects, internships, or work-based learning designed with input from employers.
- Earn – Faculty and workforce partners validate your achievement and may award a digital badge.
- Share – If a badge is awarded, you can add it to your Learning & Employment Record, LinkedIn, or résumé so employers can instantly see your verified skills.
Get started
Contact your college to see what’s available right now. Start stacking the skills that power West Virginia’s future — and your own.