The CPCA case study
The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA) supports businesses by focusing on skills development, employee retention, recruitment, and upskilling. A key initiative is their internship program, which provides career opportunities and improves employability through innovative tools like digital badges.
Nicola March, Senior Skills and Relationship Manager, joined CPCA in January 2024 to enhance the internship program, particularly by integrating digital badges to track and recognise skill development.
The Internship Program
CPCA’s program is designed to help participants progressively gain and document new skills using digital badges. It has three stages:
Initial Stage: Participants receive an ‘interest in internship’ badge upon registration and access to a "skills pass" to start building a skills profile.
Second Stage: Interns earn badges during their placements to document skills like innovation, self-motivation, and communication, creating a digital CV.
Final Stage: After a 13-week internship, participants receive badges highlighting achievements to support their transition into full-time roles or further development.
Digital Badges in Action
Using Open Badge Factory, 263 badges have been issued so far, with 24 different types of badges. Badges are easy to issue using templates and are part of a "skills pass" system that helps individuals track their progress over time.
Key Challenges and Solutions
Many businesses and participants are unfamiliar with digital badges, making awareness a challenge. To address this, Nicola conducted webinars and worked closely with employers to demonstrate badge benefits. Collaborations with organisations like Region of Learning and discussions with international counterparts have informed best practices. Nicola continues to explore ways to encourage wider badge usage.
Collaboration and Future Plans
Nicola praises the support she received from the Region of Learning team, they played a vital role in designing badges and engaging employers. One particular highlight is the creation of a new customer service badge, soon to be launched in Cambridge and Peterborough, which aims to showcase badge benefits and inspire adoption among businesses.
"From start to finish, the Region of Learning team has been incredibly supportive. They not only assisted us in designing our badges but also actively engaged with employers on our behalf.
Their clear and open communication, combined with a genuine understanding of our needs, has made all the difference in ensuring our success. We truly appreciate their dedication and expertise throughout this process."
CPCA plans to expand its digital badge system through initiatives like the Good Work Charter, which will allow organisations to earn badges that demonstrate their commitment to workforce development. The customer service badge will also support regional growth, encouraging other organisations to adopt similar systems.
Key Learnings
By integrating digital badges, CPCA is closing skills gaps and enhancing employability in the region. These efforts provide individuals with tools to showcase their growth while helping employers build a more skilled and motivated workforce.
CPCA Digital Skills Digital Badge
