ABSTRACT
Alternative credentialing systems offer the potential to address the challenges of an increasingly dynamic and interconnected world by promoting flexibility, trust, and agility. These credentials have emerged as promising tools to support lifelong learning, career transitions, and skills development. However, despite their potential, a lack of universal recognition across countries, institutions, and employers remains a significant barrier. Existing research underscores both methodological and operational challenges in recognising alternative credentials for academic and employment purposes, particularly in cross-border contexts. Achieving universal recognition requires a comprehensive understanding of the unifying elements that transcend national and institutional boundaries – elements that can dismantle barriers of trust and recognition for individuals everywhere. Our diverse team of researchers is committed to identifying the essential components of alternative credentials that ensure their usability and acceptance across varied regions and sectors. By examining the contexts and mechanisms that confer validity and trust on these credentials, we aim to generate insights that will contribute to their global recognition, thereby enhancing their value for learners, educational institutions, and employers worldwide. The practical relevance of this research lies in responding to the global demand for flexible, portable, and universally recognised alternative credentials that support lifelong learning and career mobility. The expected impact of this project includes: (a) identifying the main barriers to the adoption of alternative credentialing standards for both learning and employment across diverse contexts; (b) comparing existing initiatives across different educational and professional sectors; and (c) developing targeted recommendations for key stakeholders to facilitate the wider adoption of flexible credentials.
