The way we handle credentials and credentials verification is a major pain point for organisations and professionals. Traditional paper-based identity and professional credentials, such as academic transcripts are increasingly becoming security risks and fail to meet most modern user needs. How can organisations improve the way they share professional credentials in an efficient way? This blog will look at how blockchain-based platforms like Certif-ID can tackle this problem.
We know that transcripts, certificates, and other official documents are proof of legitimacy. When such documents are issued over blockchain, they become an immutable (not capable of or susceptible to change) record. This capability of blockchain to make documents tamper-proof reduces the need for verification and improves transparency across multiple disciplines.
Blockchain’s ripple effect on education
The current education landscape with the boom of online courses makes it very easy for anyone to obtain an education or professional certificate. Individuals can get a fake certificate including hard copies for a sum of $399-$2,000 for an undergraduate degree and up to $3,000 for a graduate degree. In addition, there is the issue of misrepresentation of credentials. Reports suggest that 50% of candidates manipulate them for a job application.
This is a huge challenge for employers as well as educational institutions, who have to assess hundreds of applications for one position. Not only would they have to invest in tools to detect counterfeiting, but would have to spend more time on background verification and other services.
Here is where blockchain can play a significant role. When you, as an institute, issue a digital certificate or digital badge over blockchain, it will create a new record of the issuer (your educational institution), receiver (your graduate, trainee or employee), and certification information (course or project completion) along with a timestamp.
The digital certificate issued will contain a QR code and verifiable link which can be accessed and validated from anywhere in the world instantly. This process brings transparency to the certificate and certification process. Blockchain’s distributed ledger prevents any tampering of data. In essence, blockchain creates a direct, unalterable link between the issuing organisation and the recipient, removing all third-party involvement from the equation.
Certif-ID: A blockchain-powered system that works
Incorporating blockchain doesn’t have to be difficult. Certif-ID brings a plug-and-play blockchain-based platform that any organisation can use to digitise their certification process.
Organisations can use the Certif-ID platform just like any other social media platform – sign up, create a profile and start issuing and monitoring digital certificates or badges.
The platform offers a wide range of solutions and benefits to educational institutes, working professionals and recruiters. Some of the additional features that are beneficial to educational institutions include:
- Listing of courses on the platform
- Creating training batches and adding members
- Simplifying verification of credentials using QR codes or URLs
- Applying analytics to describe, predict, and improve certification performance
- Building an alumni community and improving audience reach
Unlock ROI by issuing digital credentials via Certif-ID
Blockchain-enabled digital credentials are a treasure trove of marketing opportunities for educational institutions including companies that offer training. Graduates can speak for your school or course, and this can be an undeniable testament to the quality of your institute’s training programs, or at least that’s what they might say!
Issuing digital certificates on blockchain will result in other things like:
- Improve visibility and brand reputation,
- Heighten your institution’s credibility in the mass market,
- Transform your graduates into influential job applicants, and
- Help recruiters inspect credentials faster and better than ever before.
What’s more? You can use Certif-ID to issue digital badges that generate up to 4X ROI and a 75% reduction in CPC rates when compared to leading Ads platforms.
Summary
In an age where credential manipulation and fake certificates are wreaking havoc, the Certif-ID platform positions educational institutions and skilled professionals for success. It offers much-needed transparency and traceability.
The benefits of digital certificates delivered through blockchain technology for the education industry are many and this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to how blockchain can revolutionise education.
We urge you to schedule an exploratory call and see if Certif-ID can be a good fit.
