Fill the Gap Between School and Work
Experiential learning opportunities + verifiable digital credentials
We're facing a silent talent pipeline crisis
Degrees are a trusted language between education and employment.
However, for the first time, recent graduates face higher unemployment than the general workforce.
Now, in addition to requiring degrees, companies are screening job candidates for years of experience.
When entry-level hiring disappears, the talent pipeline disappears with it.
If this trend continues, the next generation of skilled professionals will never get started.
How Skill Squirrel helps the future workforce build experience
Individuals gain real experience
Employers in the local community can help make a difference by providing recent graduates with opportunities to gain work experience through term-based engagements.
Learning by doing provides recent graduates with the opportunity to put their knowledge into practice in a meaningful, relevant, and authentic context. It allows them to grapple with messy problems, sort through different perspectives, and develop new ways of thinking.
Hands-on learning experiences are deeply engaging and relevant to a recent graduate’s future and interests. Without relevant employment, recent graduates often face underemployment leading to lower lifetime earnings.
Employers validate skills
Experiential work-based learning opportunities provided by employers are typically less formal, high quality, and potentially service-based. They function as opportunities for career exploration or discovery allowing recent graduates to solve problems for local organizations, build skills, and potentially earn credentials for achievements.
On-the-job engagements also allow recent graduates to see the connections between their learning and the “real world,” and they benefit through learning from peers, collaborating on teams, expanding their networks, practicing reciprocity, and developing interpersonal and communication skills.
Based on credible evidence of how they used their skills in authentic, real-world situations, verifiable credentials can be issued to signal pertinent skills and relevant work experience.
Shareable proof for resumes & profiles
Unlike self-reported claims on resumes, verifiable digital credentials give individuals trusted, shareable proof of their skills. This authenticated evidence that employers can instantly verify, increases the visibility of job candidates and saves recruiters time.
Organizations that issue credentials gain brand exposure every time a credential is shared. This strengthens their reputation as an employer, and it reinforces their role in developing talent within their community.
When skills get validated, talent is easily discovered.
Choose the best starting point for your needs.
Get Started for Free
Recent graduates can get skills validated and earn verifiable credentials with a free account.
Issue Credentials for Free
Incorporated organizations can validate skills and recognize talent with verifiable credentials.