What are Digital Badges?

When it comes to skills and employability, it can be difficult to show the experience employers want to see in job applications, CVs or when applying for courses – particularly when that experience is more practical or not formally credited. 

Digital Badges help organisations, earners and employers track and show different knowledge and skills. They provide:

  • A smart, simple, and visual way of recognising non-accredited learning. 
  • A useful tool for earners to proudly display on their website, email signature, LinkedIn profile, and CV. 
  • An effective and inexpensive way of proving impact as an organisation.
  • A simple website link accessible to anyone, globally.
     

All our badges are quality assured, meeting the RSA Badge Standard and are a reliable indicator of skill and accomplishment.

Kickstart Work Placement Badge with white background

How do badges work?

The RSA has created a Badging Standard that moves across four competency layers. These layers help organisations to create badges, and they help the individuals earning them explain their learning journey:

‘Engage’ badges show that an earner has engaged with a new topic and has a basic understanding of a new subject area. For example, they might have attended a careers event.

‘Participate’ badges show that the earner has been an active participant in an event where learning took place. The earner can show that they interacted and joined in with others, such as taking part in a short course that involved interactive sessions.

‘Demonstrate’ badges show that the earner can apply knowledge in a real-world setting. They have gained experience, taken on feedback and developed in a context that shows their skills and ability. Taking part in a performance might relate to the Demonstrate layer.

‘Lead’ badges show that the earner can take ownership in different situations where they need to use and share their knowledge. They might have inspired and influenced others, such as running a workshop for younger people, peers or the public.

Earners can move between the different layers, but every badge has clear criteria that can help explain the earners’ skills and experience in a way that is relevant to employment. 

The badges themselves give a visual to share, but they also hold digital data such as which organisation issued the badge, the date they were earned and whether there is an expiration date.

Find out More at Badge Nation

How do I award badges?

There are so many achievements and contributions you can start offering young people badges for, from engaging in careers events to planning and delivering workshops.

Through our membership with Cities of Learning and Badge Nation, we work with creative and cultural organisations to help them create their own Digital Badges for recognising and celebrating creativity. Get in touch with our team if you are interested in adding badges to your work.

People who have received badges as part of the Cities of Learning initiative have told us they can see the value and how badges can prove skills that aren't captured as part of a curriculum. We’re now using them as part of the Coastal Catalyst, to help young people into creative employment across Sussex.

How do I earn badges?

Some of our creative programmes and events for young people already offer digital badges. Be sure to keep an eye on what’s happening and you can get in touch with our team to find out more.

 

Resources

We work with partners locally and nationally to bring together and share information, produce learning resources, reports and research about creativity and the positive impact it can have on all our lives. 

Resources | Future Creators

For more information on Digital Badges please contact francesca.turauskis@futurecreators.org.uk