Societal Impact of Digital Credentials on Vocational Training in Latin America

This paper presents initial results of a pilot project that aims to introduce andsustain the use of digital credentials in Latin America. Digital credentials represent amajor innovation, supporting the modular and flexible learning paths necessary forcontinuous reskilling in today’s fast-changing labor market. Latin America can even morebenefit from digital credentials, as a vulnerable youth exists that faces heightenedbarriers to education, employment, and training. However, there are severe challengesto introducing digital credentials in vocational training especially in Latin America, due tolegal uncertainties, lack of standardization, limited interoperability, a weak digital culturein institutions, and a fragmented situation of educational institutions. As a solutionapproach, we have set up a training and awareness programme that introduces keyconcepts to all relevant stakeholders in the vocational training area in Guatemala,accompanied by pilot implementation for institutional demonstrations. In a survey, youngpeople in Guatemala reacted very positively to this aim of introducing digital credentialsand an expert group outlined opportunities and pitfalls.