Case Study

MxD CAPITAL Credentialing Initiative

Manufacturing employers across the U.S. face difficulty verifying whether workers have the right mix of technical and digital skills. Credentials are often fragmented, inconsistent, and poorly aligned with actual occupational requirements. Workers, in turn, face a confusing marketplace of certifications with little guidance on which ones lead to real career opportunities.

Background

Manufacturing employers across the U.S. face difficulty verifying whether workers have the right mix of technical and digital skills. Credentials are often fragmented, inconsistent, and poorly aligned with actual occupational requirements. Workers, in turn, face a confusing marketplace of certifications with little guidance on which ones lead to real career opportunities.

Intervention

MxD CAPITAL, developed by MxD (Manufacturing x Digital) in Chicago, addresses this challenge by bundling both new and existing credentials into curated packages aligned with in-demand occupations. Instead of treating certifications as stand-alone, MxD CAPITAL organizes them into credential “stacks” that correspond to specific career pathways in digital and advanced manufacturing.

Outcomes

  • For workers: Clearer, more efficient pathways to advancement by pursuing credential bundles that are directly tied to occupational demand.
  • For employers: Greater confidence in hiring decisions, since credential stacks reflect industry-validated skill sets.
  • For educators and training providers: A roadmap for designing curricula that align with workforce needs and recognized credential frameworks.
  • For the system overall: Improved portability and transparency of skills, reducing mismatch between training outputs and labor market demand.

Lessons Learned:

  • Bundling credentials increases their value by signaling occupational relevance rather than leaving them as disconnected achievements.
  • Employer validation is critical—credential frameworks must reflect real job requirements to gain traction.
  • Aligning educators, employers, and workers around shared frameworks improves both hiring and training outcomes.
  • Credential transparency supports long-term workforce resilience as technologies and industry needs evolve.

For more information

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