Unlocking Opportunity With WGU’s Achievement Wallet
At Western Governors University, innovation is in our DNA and always in service of student success. The launch of the WGU Achievement Wallet, announced on Sept. 10, marks a major step forward in helping students and alumni take charge of their learning and career journeys.
The Achievement Wallet incorporates the deep taxonomy of skills WGU built over years, which we think distinguishes it from similar digital Learning and Employment Records. The library includes more than 175 collections of skills, with rich skill descriptors that address the top high-demand workforce skills.
What does that mean for our students? They receive a clear explanation of the skills they’ve mastered, how those skills correlate to jobs and a guide for how to talk about their own expertise.
Beyond the documentation of skills, the wallet acts as a career guide. Users can see how their skills align with real-world roles, uncover gaps that may stand in the way of opportunities and explore pathways to close those gaps. For many users, this means transforming uncertainty into a clearer view of where they stand today and what steps will take them to their dream job tomorrow.
For learners who have acquired skills and experience outside of traditional education settings, the wallet is especially empowering. By highlighting both verified and self-reported achievements, it allows users to demonstrate abilities that might otherwise have gone unseen.
Below are thoughts shared by WGU President Scott Pulsipher and Vice Provost Sarah DeMark on this WGU milestone.
“Too often, talent is overlooked because our systems lack effective means for evaluating individuals’ proven skills. To build a thriving workforce and society, we must ensure that people’s capabilities — wherever and however they are gained — are visible, verifiable, and valued.
"That’s why WGU launched the Achievement Wallet, a new digital platform that empowers students and alumni to collect, verify, and demonstrate their skills and abilities. The wallet is now available to more than 588,000 current students and graduates of WGU. By giving learners ownership of their records—from coursework to military service, from professional experience to volunteer work—we help them translate learning into opportunity.” -WGU President Scott Pulsipher
“Employers face a persistent challenge: identifying talent based on proven skills rather than pedigree. WGU’s Achievement Wallet offers a direct solution.
“By partnering with organizations such as employers, tech providers and foundations, WGU has designed a platform that not only serves students but also addresses a pressing employer need: reliable, skills-based hiring.
“The Achievement Wallet is more than a student tool. It is a bridge between education and workforce, helping employers connect with candidates who are ready to contribute on day one." -Vice Provost Dr. Sarah DeMark
Read the full announcement about the Achievement Wallet here.
