text: Communications Tech Leaders Upskill Talent through Digital Badging
  Denver – September 10, 2019 – The National Alliance for Communications, Technology, Education and Learning (NACTEL) — a newly rebranded partnership between AT&T, Verizon, CenturyLink and Frontier Communications; labor unions Communications Workers of America and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers; the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL); and Pace University — today announced the launch of an initiative to offer employer-verified digital badges for adult learners who showcase gained competencies through the successful completion of courses on telecommunications topics like cybersecurity, data and network security, mobile networking, broadband technology and 5G deployment strategies.
  "NACTEL micro-credential badges provide opportunities for individuals to gain and renew the skills and knowledge needed in today's rapidly evolving communications technology industry," said Hannah Coit, NACTEL board member and Director, Talent Acquisition for AT&T. "NACTEL's micro-credential badges provide a way to personalize learning pathways for adult learners, as these badges can be applied towards associate and bachelor's degrees needed in the communications industry."
  NACTEL, which was formerly known as the National Coalition for Telecommunications Education and Learning, partners with Pace University to offer approximately 100 jumpstart courses, certificates and degrees designed to fill demand for emerging skills in the communications industry. Through micro-credentialing, adult learners who complete a series of courses on a particular topic, like data analytics or information technology, will earn badges from the digital credentialing platform Credly. The badges, verified by Pace University and employers, accumulate as students ladder up to a NACTEL Bachelor of Science degree in telecommunications or business technology leadership.
  "This work is about creating powerful educational benefits that employers can offer to support employee retention and engagement while making strategic investments in training and upskilling to address the industry's looming skills gaps," said Christine Carpenter, executive director of NACTEL. "Through the application of digital badges, students can now transform their achievements in the classroom into industry-recognized credentials that unlock career opportunities."
  The shift to 5G technologies has fueled pressure for industry professionals to complete continuing education to stay competitive in the job market. Through this partnership, the industry's largest employers and labor unions are coming together to invest in the development of telecommunications talent.