“We joined the Region of Learning so that it could help us recognise achievements and reward participants for their involvement in activities that would be missed in a more traditional model.
This is especially useful for some of the young people we support who are caught in that Catch 22 of needing experience to get a job, but not being able to get a job due to lack of experience.
Our badges, such as ‘Regular Attendee’ and ‘Project Participant’, are aligned to a Skills Framework that recognises the skills, knowledge, attitudes and values the earner has demonstrated to our staff team. This will be a valuable tool in motivating the young people we support whilst instilling confidence and self-belief.”
Mairead Wright, Employability Skills and Enterprise Manager for Longhurst Group
“We’re delighted to be a part of the Region of Learning and particularly to be able to recognise, and certify, the progress of our young people through digital badges. The emphasis of our supported lodgings initiative is not only to provide a safe place to stay but to proactively develop the skills, abilities, character and aspirations of the young people in order that they can build the foundations for a bright future. With this in mind, our hosts and youth workers are readily on hand to support young people in a diverse range of areas; from cooking and budgeting to pursuing work experience and employment opportunities. Digital badges allow us to formally recognise progress, and achievements, in each of these areas as well as enabling individual young people to develop an electronic portfolio of accomplishments that clearly demonstrates their commitment and progress and can be an invaluable resource when applying for future training and employment.”
Mike Farrington, Founder of Concrete Rose
“The WEA joined the Region of Learning to be able to issue students with the digital badges which will be an additional award for them after completing the courses. At the moment we developed badges for our Tenancy course and we are hoping to develop more for our other courses including Employability and Skills. We hope the badges will be recognised by the landlords in the area and that they will help young people move into independent accommodation and secure a tenancy”
Sandra Borchocka, Area Manager for WEA
‘Cambridge Festival is excited to join the Region of Learning platform, working with other providers in the area to present our offer for young people in a coherent and consistent way. Our first badges support our new Youth Collective, a programme created in partnership with University of Cambridge Museums. The Youth Collective will advocate for, and lead on, events for young people. We hope the badges will allow young people to recognise the high levels of independence, creativity and responsibility they will demonstrate and develop during the programme.’
Jenny Williams, Public Engagement and Festivals Coordinator, University of Cambridge
‘Digital badges have significantly enriched the charity’s ability to engage and empower individuals through digital inclusion. By offering clear milestones and recognition, they have helped build confidence and increased participation in learning, making the charity’s work more impactful than ever.’
Marcus Whewell, Cambridge Online CEO
‘I don’t have to worry about what to say about each of my experiences that has earned me a badge, the platform does this part for me, so all I need to do is log in and share my badge via my LinkedIn profile. Evidencing my experience is made easier by the platform and I think it makes it easier to understand from the employer’s perspective.’
Naveed, a Psychology student at Anglia Ruskin University
"The badges have really resonated with the people we work with. They offer a tangible sense of accomplishment and pride that a standard certificate just couldn’t provide. We use the badges as part of our four-day 'Intro to Work' programme, and participants earn a badge for each session they attend, with a fifth badge for completing the entire programme. This has led to greater engagement and motivation to complete the course, and we’ve seen an increase in their confidence. The support from the Region of Learning team has been fantastic, helping us navigate the setup process and ensuring everything was in place for success. We're excited to continue using digital badges and expand their use in the future."
Dean Watson, Community Trainer and Advisor, Cross Key Homes
"Implementing digital badges has been a transformative experience for both our participants and staff. By providing tangible recognition of personal achievements, we've been able to boost confidence and empower young people in supported housing projects to take ownership of their learning journeys. The badges have not only motivated individuals to engage with new opportunities, but they’ve also created a culture of celebration, where every small step forward is acknowledged. We're excited to continue using digital badges as a tool for empowerment, fostering a sense of progression and opening doors to future opportunities."
Mairead Wright, Amplius Senior Skills and Development Tutor
"Introducing digital badges at KICK Start has been a game-changer for our youth programs. Over the last 18 months, the integration of badges has provided a modern, engaging way to recognise the hard work and achievements of the young people we support. The digital badges, particularly through our involvement with the National Citizens Service (NCS), have helped our participants take ownership of their development, whether it’s through life skills workshops, volunteering, or KICKboxing.
The support we received from the Region of Learning team was invaluable. They helped us make the process clearer for both staff and participants, ensuring that everyone understood how the badges worked and why they were important. This has significantly improved engagement and strengthened the relationships between our staff and youth.”
