Glossary

Add Credentials is where you can Sync, Connect, Upload, Embed and Link Credential Evidence. Credentials without evidence should be captured as a Self-attested Experience.

Add any experience including work, volunteer, hobby, co-op, internship, etc. that helps potential employers and education & training providers validate what you know and can do.

Leverage our Occupational Skills Ontology to Self-Attest What You Know and Can Do!

The process of collecting and combining credentials, skills, and experiences from multiple sources into a unified Learning and Employment Record (LER). Aggregation enables learners and workers to build a comprehensive picture of their qualifications by pulling validated records from Student Information Systems, Learning Management Systems, HR systems, and other authoritative sources into a single Digital Wallet.

Software used by employers to manage job applications, screen candidates, and track hiring workflows. When integrated with Learning and Employment Records (LERs), ATS platforms can automatically verify candidate credentials, match skills to job requirements, and streamline the hiring process by reducing manual verification steps.

A structured sequence of education, training, and work experiences that prepare individuals for advancement in a specific occupation or industry. Career pathways map the credentials, skills, and competencies needed at each stage of career progression, helping learners and workers understand what steps to take to reach their employment goals. Career pathway technology uses labor market data and credential information to generate personalized recommendations.

A coordinated approach to helping individuals navigate workforce services, training programs, and employment opportunities. In workforce development, case management systems track participant progress, manage Individual Employment Plans (IEPs), coordinate supportive services, and document outcomes. Effective case management connects jobseekers with the right training, credentials, and employment opportunities while ensuring compliance with program requirements.

A standardized format for Learning and Employment Records (LERs) that packages credentials, achievements, and competencies into a portable, verifiable document. You can export your Digital Resume(s) as a CLR for digital portability and optimal control of your data. See also CLR 2.0 for the latest version aligned with verifiable credentials standards.

The latest version of the Comprehensive Learner Record standard, aligned with Open Badges 3.0 and W3C Verifiable Credentials. CLR 2.0 provides a standardized, portable format for packaging multiple credentials, achievements, and competencies into a single verifiable document that learners can export from their Digital Wallet and share with employers or educational institutions.

An approach to education and workforce development that focuses on demonstrating mastery of specific skills and competencies rather than time spent in a classroom. Competency-based programs allow learners to progress at their own pace, earning credentials when they prove they have acquired the knowledge and abilities required for a job or further education. This approach aligns well with Learning and Employment Records (LERs) that capture granular skill achievements.

Connect in "Add Credentials" allows users to self identify against verification services for US Apprenticeships and more. LER.me is committed to identifying more opportunities to Connect your learning evidence.

A pre-built commercially available software product that can be purchased and implemented without custom development. COTS solutions are designed to be configurable rather than custom-coded, allowing for faster deployment, predictable pricing, and easier maintenance while ensuring compliance with federal and state interoperability, accessibility, and security standards.

An open vocabulary developed by Credential Engine for describing credentials, competencies, and learning opportunities in a structured, machine-readable format. CTDL enables credential registries and workforce systems to share consistent information about what credentials represent, their requirements, and their value in the labor market, supporting informed decision-making by learners and employers.

LER.me Digital Resume(s) allow users to curate Learning and Employment Records (LERs) from the contents of their Profile and Digital Wallets. Digital Resumes may be printed, emailed or exported as PDFs. Shared resume(s) will be used to generate personalized learning and earning recommendations.

The LER.me Digital Wallet allows users to collect and manage their Credentials, Skills & Experiences using the following methods: Sync, Connect, Upload, Embed and Link.

Any end user who self-registered at LER.me. Often resonates with jobseekers and work-based learners up-skilling for today's workforce.

Embed verifiable digital credentials built on open standards into your Digital Wallet. Supported formats include Open Badges (OBv2 & OBv3) and CTDL credentials, which contain cryptographically signed metadata that proves authenticity and can be verified by employers and institutions.

A state-managed directory of education and training providers whose programs have been approved to receive federal or state workforce funding, such as under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). Each program listed on the ETPL has demonstrated compliance with performance, quality, and reporting requirements established by the state workforce agency.

A software system used by organizations to manage employee data, including job history, performance records, training completions, and certifications. HRIS platforms serve as authoritative sources for employment verification and work-based credentials that can be aggregated into an employee's Learning and Employment Record (LER).

A personalized roadmap created collaboratively between a jobseeker and a workforce professional that outlines career goals, identifies skill gaps, and specifies the training, credentials, and support services needed to achieve employment objectives. IEPs are commonly used in workforce development programs funded under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) to track participant progress toward self-sufficiency.

The ability of different workforce, education, and technology systems to exchange, interpret, and use data seamlessly. In the context of Learning and Employment Records (LERs), interoperability ensures that credentials, skills, and experiences can be shared across platforms—such as Student Information Systems, Learning Management Systems, and Applicant Tracking Systems—without manual re-entry or data loss, enabling learners and workers to carry their verified achievements wherever they go.

Any end user who self-registered at LER.me. Often resonates with students and lifelong learners up-skilling for today's workforce.

A digital record of learning and work that can be grouped together with other individual LERs for use in describing abilities when pursuing education and employment opportunities.

LER.me empowers users to self-sovereignly collect, manage and share their learning and earning data - what they know and can do - for free, in the modern and portable Learning & Employment Record (LER) format via personal Digital Resume(s) and Digital Wallets.

Link to Open Badges, Certificates and more.

A software platform used to create, deliver, track, and manage educational courses and training programs. LMS platforms record course completions, certifications, and skill achievements that can be exported as credentials and integrated into Learning and Employment Records (LERs), providing verified evidence of professional development and continuous learning.

A comprehensive software system used by workforce agencies to collect, store, and report data on program participants, services delivered, and outcomes achieved. MIS platforms track enrollment, training activities, credential attainment, and employment outcomes to meet federal and state reporting requirements. Integration between MIS and other workforce systems enables seamless data sharing and reduces duplicate data entry.

The second major version of the Open Badges specification, which standardized how digital badges are created, issued, and verified. OBv2 badges contain JSON-LD metadata about the achievement, issuer, and recipient, and can be embedded into Digital Wallets to provide portable, verifiable evidence of skills and accomplishments.

The latest version of the Open Badges specification, aligned with the W3C Verifiable Credentials standard. OBv3 badges offer enhanced security, privacy features, and interoperability with other verifiable credential systems, making them ideal for inclusion in Learning and Employment Records (LERs) that require cryptographic verification.

A workforce development strategy where individuals learn job skills while employed, with the employer providing structured training and often receiving wage reimbursement from workforce agencies. OJT allows workers to earn while they learn, gaining practical experience and industry-recognized competencies that can be documented in their Learning and Employment Records (LERs).

A technical standard for creating, issuing, and verifying digital credentials that represent skills, achievements, and competencies. Open Badges contain embedded metadata about the issuer, criteria, and evidence, making them portable and verifiable across platforms. They can be embedded into Digital Wallets and shared as part of a Learning and Employment Record (LER).

Your LER.me Profile only requires an email. You can optionally add additional information helpful for potential employers and auto-populating your Digital Resume(s).

A digital database or system that collects, organizes, and displays verified information about education and training programs, credentials, skills, and competencies. It supports transparency, quality assurance, and interoperability across systems, helping states, education systems, and workforce agencies maintain an accurate catalog of all recognized credentials and programs.

Cloud-based software that is licensed via subscription and accessed over the internet. The provider hosts, maintains, and updates the software, while customers use it through a secure web interface or API. A SaaS solution provides continuous updates, security, scalability, and interoperability without requiring agencies to host or maintain infrastructure.

All data added to a Digital Wallet is considered self-attested except Sync from Validated Provider, Connect and Embedding of Verifiable Credentials.

Self-sovereignty is the right to manage and control your own data. LER.me aims to empower users to take control of what and how they share their credentials, skills and experiences, making all learning count.

Sharing your Digital Resume(s) will allow LER.me to make learning and earning recommendations in the future.

A software application used by educational institutions to manage student data including enrollment, grades, transcripts, attendance, and demographics. SIS platforms are authoritative sources for academic credentials and can provide validated records that sync with Digital Wallets, enabling learners to aggregate their educational achievements into portable Learning and Employment Records (LERs).

A recruitment approach that prioritizes demonstrated skills and competencies over traditional qualifications like degrees or years of experience. Skills-based hiring uses verified credentials, assessments, and Learning and Employment Records (LERs) to match candidates to jobs based on what they can actually do. This approach expands talent pools, reduces bias, and improves job fit by focusing on capabilities rather than credentials alone.

An auditing framework developed by the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) that evaluates how organizations manage customer data. SOC 2 compliance demonstrates that a service provider has implemented controls for security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy. For workforce technology platforms handling sensitive education and employment data, SOC 2 certification provides assurance that appropriate safeguards are in place to protect participant information.

Sync from Validated Providers in "Add Credentials" indicates an institutional Learning and Employment Record (LER) provider has partnered with EBSCOed to provide validated records interoperability. Self-identification criteria is set by the Validated Data Provider.

A digital platform that connects jobseekers, learners, employers, and training providers within a unified ecosystem. Talent marketplaces aggregate credentials, skills, and job opportunities to enable skills-based matching between candidates and employers. Unlike traditional job boards, talent marketplaces incorporate Learning and Employment Records (LERs), career pathway recommendations, and real-time labor market data to create transparent connections between education, training, and employment.

Take a picture or upload a file of any learning or achievement evidence including diplomas, transcripts, certificates and more.

A secure online platform or mobile application that allows individuals to store, manage, and share their Learning and Employment Records (LERs). The wallet gives learners, jobseekers, and workers control over their validated credentials, badges, transcripts, and experiences, enabling them to share verified evidence of skills and competencies with employers, education institutions, and training providers.

Federal legislation enacted in 2014 that governs workforce development programs in the United States. WIOA establishes requirements for job training, employment services, and adult education programs funded by the federal government. It mandates the creation of workforce boards, Eligible Training Provider Lists (ETPLs), and performance accountability measures. WIOA emphasizes skills-based training, career pathways, and coordination between workforce, education, and economic development systems.

A regional or local governing body responsible for overseeing workforce development programs and services in a designated area. Workforce boards, also known as Workforce Development Boards or Local Workforce Development Boards, are established under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) to coordinate training programs, manage Eligible Training Provider Lists (ETPLs), and connect employers with qualified workers. They serve as the primary decision-makers for publicly funded workforce services in their region.

The interconnected network of technology platforms, databases, and services used by government agencies, employers, and education providers to manage workforce development activities. This includes case management systems, job matching platforms, Eligible Training Provider Lists (ETPLs), credential registries, and reporting tools that help connect jobseekers with training opportunities and employment.