University of Phoenix's Emphasis on Employer-Driven Learning

University of Phoenix announced it has awarded its one-millionth digital badge, a milestone reflecting the University's multi-year investment in a skills-aligned and employer-driven learning ecosystem designed to help working adults translate learning into clear, shareable proof of capabilities designed for the workforce. According to ManpowerGroup's 2025 U.S. Talent Shortage Survey, 71 percent of employers say they struggle to find candidates with the skills they need, reinforcing the urgency of education models that help learners clearly demonstrate job-relevant capabilities. For working adults balancing jobs, family and long-term career goals, digital badges can help turn progress into momentum.

The University's digital badges are designed to bridge the skills gap by translating learning outcomes into verified skills credentials that can be shared with employers. Grounded in assessed skills—not participation—and supported by cross-functional governance, faculty oversight, and ongoing input from labor market data and industry engagement, each badge reflects demonstrated proficiency aligned to workforce signals and industry-informed competencies.

"At University of Phoenix, digital badges are designed to make learning more transparent, relevant and useful in the labor market," states John Woods, Ph.D., Provost and Chief Academic Officer. "By connecting assessed skills to employer-informed competencies, we help learners show clear evidence of what they know and can do as they progress through their education. That matters especially for working adults, who need flexible pathways that recognize achievement in real time and support career growth along the way."

Badges built for the way working adults actually build careers

These short-form, skills-focused credentials make achievements visible and easily understood by employers and professional networks—helping learners showcase their capabilities in real time as they advance their careers. University of Phoenix works with Credly by Pearson to provide digital badges; after earning a digital badge, students can claim the badge using the Credly platform.