By Mike Loughrin, CEO for Transformance Advisors
Credential Challenges
Credentials are everywhere. There are thousands of credentials for almost every skill or area of expertise imaginable. Unfortunately, credentials can become confusing since the same letters can designate vastly different areas.
An example of confusion is CSCM which, depending on your perspective, can be:
- Certified Supply Chain Manger
- Certified Special Care Manager
- Certified Schedules Contract Manager
- Certified Senior Care Manager
The other challenge is the lack of standardization in what it takes to earn many credentials. For example, one class for Six Sigma Green Belts will teach you how to lead a six sigma project in 30 seconds. A claim so outlandish it makes me want to laugh, or cry. The same firm will make you a Six Sigma Black Belt in 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Understanding the credentials you see on someone’s resume, or offered as part of an educational course, has been a growing challenge for both individuals and organizations.
Is there a solution to this challenge?
Credential Registry
Great news has burst onto the scene.
A non-profit organization, called the Credential Registry, is working to make credentials more transparent. They are helping people discover and compare credential opportunities, with timely and trusted information about credentials including competencies, education, and career pathways.
The Credential Registry’s research finds there are over 1 million credentials offered in the United States. They report that “with so many credentials to choose from, and without widespread adoption of standards for comparing and evaluating them, people get lost and lose out on opportunity”.
The goal of the Credential Registry is to make it transparent, and easy, for people, including learners, workers, educators, providers, and employers to find and act upon the various credential opportunities available to them. Credential transparency means essential information about credentials, including their associated skills and competencies, are public, easily accessible, and actionable. Transparent credential data can also help education providers, policy makers, employers, and state agencies discover areas of need, so they can better allocate resources to create missing pathways.
The mission of the Credential Registry is supported by some industry heavy weights, such as as Microsoft, JP Morgan Chase, and Walmart. Additional support comes from governmental organizations which are using the Credential Registry as a resource for workforce development programs.
“We are on a mission to level the credential landscape.”
– Credential Registry
Enter Transformance Advisors
At Transformance Advisors, we have researched various organizations claiming to be the “official” authority for lean transformation or six sigma credentials.
Let’s be blunt. We have found these organizations to have no official status and many appear to be scams. They want money for doing nothing and do not provide standards for the various credentials. They simply accept anyone with a credit card and will anoint anyone as an approved educational provider. The clown, mentioned above, who will grant you a Six Sigma Black Belt in 2 hours and 30 minutes would have no problem becoming an approved educational provider.
Our team, at Transformance Advisors, will not participate in scams.
Searching for an ethical and more rigorous process has led us to the Credential Registry. We find they have the capability for people and organizations to compare credentials. Beyond today’s capabilities, the Credential Registry has a vision to provide credential transparency which we completely support.
“Tomorrow brings new challenges and we must continually upgrade our credentials if we are to progress in our careers. Choose your sources wisely, as not all certifications offer credible results.”
– Mike Sheahan, President Emeritus, ISCEA International Standards Board
Comparison Example
As mentioned, one of the goals and benefits of the Credential Registry is the ability to compare credentials from multiple providers. The screen-shot below shows how the credentials for “Lean Practitioner” are compared for 3 education providers.
You get a nice comparison for the Lean Practitioner credential from Manufacturers Alliance, Transformance Advisors, and the College of DuPage. The top part shows each provider provides a “certification” vs. a “certificate” or some other type of credential. You also get a nice description about each program.
The bottom portion has drop-down boxes which can display information such as audience level, cost, and estimated time.
This is the beginning of transparency. Anyone can compare credentials from the education providers who have the courage to put their programs out there for all to see.
“It’s time we give people the information and tools they need to get credentials when they need them.”
– Credential Registry
Summary
Research finds there are over 1 million credentials offered in the United States. There is a great need for transparency, allowing people to discover and compare credential opportunities, including competencies, education, and career pathways.
The Credential Registry is making it easy, for people, including learners, workers, educators, providers, and employers to find and act upon the various credential opportunities available to them. They are supported by industry heavy weights, such as as Microsoft, JP Morgan Chase, and Walmart. Additional support comes from governmental organizations which are using the Credential Registry as a resource for workforce development programs.
Our team, at Transformance Advisors, is all-in when it comes to credential transparency. You can see all of our programs listed on the Credential Registry. You can also compare the credentials we offer with other education providers who have the courage to be transparent.
Get started with your research at: Credential Registry.
Mike Loughrin
Mike Loughrin is the CEO and Founder of Transformance Advisors. He also teaches for Louisiana State University Shreveport and is on the board of directors for the Association for Supply Chain Management Northern Colorado.
Mike brings exceptional experience in industry, consulting services, and education. Mike has helped organizations such as Levi Strauss, Warner Home Video, Lexmark, and Sweetheart Cup.
Keeping a commitment to a balanced life, Mike loves downhill skiing, bicycle rides, and hiking in the mountains. See one of his trails of the month at: Little Switzerland.
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References
Credential Engine Project for Washington.
Credential Registry for Alabama.