From Plumbers to Programmers: Why Digital Credentials Matter in VET
Whether you’re fixing pipes or writing code, one thing is clear: proving your skills should be as modern as the jobs themselves. Digital credentials are bringing the VET sector into the future.
In a world hurtling toward a skill-based economy, the days of a single lifelong career are fading into history. Instead, people are reinventing themselves — sometimes out of ambition, sometimes out of necessity — acquiring new skills, pivoting industries, and taking on roles that may not have even existed a decade ago.
In this ever-shifting landscape, how do we prove what we know and what we can do?
Enter digital credentials, the unsung heroes of modern education and employment, and a concept that the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector should continue to embrace wholeheartedly.
“Instead of listing “Certificate IV in Plumbing” on a résumé and hoping for the best, a plumber can present a digital credential that provides direct evidence of competencies—perhaps proficiency in gas fitting or advanced pipe installation.”
For decades, VET has been the pragmatic sibling in the education family—the one that gets things done. It prides itself on equipping students with tangible, workforce-ready skills. It produces the electricians who keep our lights on, the nurses who care for us, the coders who build our apps. And yet, despite its practical focus, VET has long been shackled to traditional ways of verifying knowledge—paper certificates, transcripts, and the ever-elusive employer reference.
The problem with this system is that it doesn’t fully capture the complexity of modern learning. A printed certificate tells you someone completed a course, but it doesn’t say much about what they can actually do. This is where digital credentials change the game. Unlike their paper counterparts, digital credentials offer a verifiable, portable, and skills-specific way to showcase achievement. Instead of listing “Certificate IV in Plumbing” on a résumé and hoping for the best, a plumber can present a digital credential that provides direct evidence of competencies—perhaps proficiency in gas fitting or advanced pipe installation.
This level of detail is invaluable, especially in an era when employers increasingly hire for skills rather than degrees. Businesses want to know what a candidate can do today, not just what they studied years ago. In this sense, digital credentials are more than just a modern form of certification—they are a tool for workforce mobility. They help workers transition between industries, upskill efficiently, and seize new opportunities without having to start from scratch.
For VET providers, embracing digital credentials isn’t just about keeping up with the times; it’s about enhancing the value of the education they provide. Imagine a future where students don’t just leave with a certificate but with a portfolio of verifiable skills, each credential linked to specific competencies and recognised across industries. This isn’t wishful thinking—it’s already happening in forward-thinking institutions around the world. Digital credentials allow for a more modular, flexible approach to learning, aligning perfectly with the needs of both students and employers.
Of course, no innovation comes without its hurdles. Some traditionalists might argue that digital credentials are just another layer of bureaucracy. Others may question their credibility compared to established qualifications. But these concerns fade when we look at the bigger picture. Standardisation efforts are already underway to ensure consistency and recognition across industries. And unlike a paper certificate, a digital credential can’t be forged, lost, or eaten by a dog.
The VET sector has always been about practical solutions, and digital credentials fit squarely into that ethos. They empower learners, support employers, and modernise the way we think about qualifications. At a time when skills are the currency of the job market, why should we stick to outdated ways of proving them? The future of education isn’t just about what you know—it’s about how you show it. And for VET, that future looks increasingly digital.
If you’d like to learn more about how My eQuals can support VET providers, book a meeting here.