Developing a Work-Based Learning Credential Standard

Workcred is exploring the opportunity to partner with ASTM International and others to create a national standard that will aid entities offering or wanting to create an industry-validated, work-based learning credential. The standard will be developed as a conformity assessment standard to be used by certification accrediting organizations.

The Standard

The standard will be developed with the objective of achieving and promoting a nationally accepted benchmark for organizations offering industry-validated, work-based learning credentials.

Below is the initial outline and general categories of what the standard should include:

• Scope
• Normative references
• Terms and definitions
• Structural requirements
• Policy, procedures, and records of the learning process
• Outsourcing of support
• General personnel requirements
• Work-based learning process
• Program evaluation
• Management system
• Appeals and complaints

Volunteers

To develop the standard, volunteers are needed to participate in a technical subcommittee of the ASTM E36 Committee on Accreditation & Certification.

Volunteers should represent:

• community colleges
• certification bodies
• employer/industry associations
• unions
• industry/employers
• government

Overview of the Process and Time Commitment

Subcommittee members will be requested to participate in several rounds of 2-3-hour drafting sessions, as well as other review and commenting requests as needed, over a 6-12-month period.