Skillification Background and Next Steps

Background

The Problem: The many methods and varied terminology used by K12, colleges and universities, nonprofit training providers, and employers to describe, capture, and honor learning has created a translation problem. Training providers cannot effectively “speak” to one another or to employers about skills and competencies. As a result, the burden falls squarely on the shoulders of learners and workers—particularly immigrants, BIPOC, and people from low-income backgrounds—who must attempt to navigate through these muddy waters on their own. 

The Solution: Skillification is the process by which curricula, transcripts, job postings, and job descriptions are translated into a shared, skills-based language that is adopted and shared across our regional learn and work ecosystem.
 

Work to Date

Convocation Session on Skills and the Future of Working and Learning
Use these sessions and topics to launch a districtwide discussion on skillification, personalized pathways, and Learner Employment Records.

Labor Market Analysis
Analysis of labor market data and conversations with regional employers to discern priority areas for skillification, with focus on market gaps requiring less than one year of training and paying above the national median wage.

National Kick-off
Launch the initiative with six colleges and national partner Education Design Lab and build a community of practice.

Gather Student Input
Conduct focus groups to gather information on student goals, common barriers, and supportive program design.

Regional Coalition Building
Begin development of partner ecosystem including City of Seattle, Seattle Jobs Initiative, Seattle Children’s Hospital, Amazon, Goodwill, YMCA and many more.

Program and Curriculum Outlines 
Draft initial program areas selected for skillification and program frameworks.
 

Upcoming Work

Program Skillification
Translate content into shared skills language using Rich Skill Descriptions (RSDs).

CBE and Credit for Prior Learning Agreements
Use new, modular content for competency-based program pilot.

Program Pilot and Launch
Launch pilot programs, with skillified and competency-based content in Fall 2021.
 

Long Term

Broad Adoption
Advocate for and implement broad adoption of shared skills language among regional training providers.

Shared Learner Employment Records (LERs)
Develop and adopt LERs to give individuals ownership over their learning and employment journey.

Seamless Movement
Learners and workers can move seamlessly in and out of education and training experiences throughout their lifetime, building and managing their skills as they go.