Pioneering a Smarter Path to Higher Earnings

Whether someone is a hairstylist, bank teller or computer programmer, non-degree credentials have long offered a way to build new skills, stand out in the job market and potentially boost earnings. However, a recent study from AEI and Burning Glass Institute, Holding New Credentials Accountable for Outcomes, highlighted how credentials alone don’t always lead to higher incomes for workers and learners.

This research found that only about 12% of U.S. non-degree credentials lead to meaningful wage gains. With more than 1.1 million credentials available, how can job seekers, learners and hiring managers know which ones will truly support new pathways to economic opportunity?

To begin answering that critical question, Burning Glass Institute recently launched the Credential Value Index Navigator — a first-of-its-kind tool to compare credentials, potential wage gains, career advancement, new jobs and skills — with funding support from the Foundation. The index sources data from more than 23,000 verified non-degree credentials and over 2,000 providers.

Burning Glass Institute’s new Credential Value Index Navigator provides users with information on the career histories to better assess and understand non-degree credentials.

This tool is a critical step in the right direction to better understand how to increase access to earnings and overall economic mobility. The verified credentials sourced and used in the tool have the potential to unlock better job growth for workers and provide them with the transparency and clarity needed in a crowded marketplace.

GitLab Foundation looks forward to seeing how this new tool continues to iterate and evolve to equip workers, employers and broader education and workforce ecosystem stakeholders with the insights they need to make more informed choices. The Foundation is proud to support new learnings such as this that will continue to drive innovation and improve lifetime earnings through access to opportunities.