The Idaho Division of Career Technical Education (IDCTE) earned a Power Learner Potential Organization Award from 1EdTech Consortium™ at the 2023 Learning Impact Conference on June 7 in Anaheim, California, for their work in digital credentials and microcredentials. The newly created award is given to organizations leading the way in creating innovative ecosystems that power learner potential.

SkillStack® is Idaho’s microcredential platform. Competencies are developed through a collaborative process that engages employers, educators, and other critical stakeholders to ensure that microcredentials represent the technical and durable skills learners need to succeed. Learners acquire these skills and have multiple opportunities to demonstrate them, such as assessments and hands-on activities that are validated and tracked using SkillStack®. Learners then earn digital badges, which are a visual representation of microcredentials embedded with data verifying an earner’s achievements. These credentials are recognized by the Idaho State Board of Education. Verified industry partners can log in, identify microcredentials specific to their hiring needs, and send customized emails to potential candidates that possess the desired skills.

Since its inception in 2015, Idaho educators have issued over 100,000 badges via the SkillStack® platform. 

“Getting to the future of education requires cross-boundary leadership spanning IT and curriculum and instruction from stakeholders across K-12, higher education, suppliers, governments, and philanthropic funders,” said Rob Abel, 1EdTech’s CEO. “Our Power Learner Potential Awards recognize those organizations that go above and beyond to take those collaborations to the next level to address the key educational leadership imperatives of our time.”

“It’s exciting to see how far we’ve come to make the vision of our digital credential platform a reality,” said Dr. Clay Long, IDCTE’s state administrator. “Having our team’s work acknowledged by experts around the globe gives additional validation for the work we’re doing and the opportunities it will continue to provide Idaho learners.”

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The Idaho Division of Career Technical Education (IDCTE) is the state agency charged with promoting and supporting career technical education programs throughout the state. IDCTE prepares Idaho’s youth and adults for high-skill, in-demand careers through collaborations with local school districts, institutions, educators, and industry partners. 

1EdTech Consortium is a global nonprofit organization where some of the most innovative educational providers and technology companies collaborate to improve digital learning solutions and prepare for future challenges. Through collaborations and standards that work for all stakeholders, members create solutions that enable transformative digital learning experiences and personalized learner journeys, boost achievement opportunities, and improve learner success. IDCTE has been a contributing member of 1EdTech since March 2020.