About OCN

The Open Credentials Network (OCN) is a collaborative initiative aimed at revolutionising the way we recognise and share skills and achievements through digital credentials. We envision a future where widely adopted and easily verifiable credentials will contribute to opening access to employment and social integration.

Our mission:

• Unveiling Skills & Achievements: Digital credentials offer a secure and verifiable record of skills and accomplishments, fostering greater transparency and trust in the learning and employment landscape.
• Empowering Individuals & Communities: OCN champions a learner-centric approach, where individuals can control their credentials and share them with potential employers, peers, and educational institutions. This empowers individuals to navigate their career paths more effectively and creates opportunities for community recognition of skills.
• Boosting Small & Medium Enterprises: OCN recognises the vital role of SMEs in the digital credential ecosystem. We aim to equip them with the tools and resources to leverage digital credentials for talent acquisition and workforce development.
• Bridging the Skills Gap: OCN facilitates a broader understanding and acceptance of skills and qualifications across sectors and borders. This can help bridge the skills gap by connecting potential employers with a wider pool of qualified talent, regardless of their location or educational background.
• Revolutionising Talent Management: OCN empowers employers to move beyond traditional resumes and identify the right talent based on demonstrable skills. This fosters a more efficient talent management process, allowing employers to invest in the continuous development of their workforce.

What Does ‘Open’ Mean in ‘Open Credentials Network’?

For the OCN, the term ‘Open’ has several key meanings:

• Openness and Accessibility: OCN promotes a digital credential ecosystem that is accessible and inclusive.
  This means that:
  • Anyone, regardless of background or location, can participate in the network to issue and collect digital credentials.
  • Credentials issued by different institutions are interoperable and easily verifiable.
  • Standards and frameworks are openly defined, allowing for diverse participation and innovation.
• Transparency and Trust: OCN emphasises transparency in the creation, storage, and verification of digital credentials. This fosters trust in the system as users can rely on the accuracy and authenticity of credentials.
• Collaboration and Innovation: OCN fosters an open and collaborative environment where stakeholders from various sectors can work together. This promotes innovation in the design and use of digital credentials, leading to a more robust and efficient system.
• Open Standards and Interoperability: OCN advocates for open standards and interoperability in the underlying technology of digital credentials. This ensures credentials issued from different platforms can be seamlessly recognised and verified across various systems.

Overall, the ‘Open’ in OCN signifies a commitment to a transparent, accessible, and collaborative approach to digital credentials. This promotes a future where skills and achievements can be recognised and valued universally, empowering individuals, communities and organisations across the globe.

Join the Movement!