Digital Badges
WHAT IS A DIGITAL BADGE?
A digital badge is a unique and portable digital representation showing successful completion of a competency based skill. Skills eligible for digital badges could be technical and directed towards a specific industry or career; alternately, soft skills such as communication styles, research, and understanding behaviors to provide high quality customer service are additional examples of competencies that are assessed prior to a badge being earned.
Students are encouraged to showcase earned badges via online platforms, allowing employers to visually acknowledge and understand the skills mastered in predetermined competencies. Individuals build their online digital badge portfolio, while simultaneously creating a tangible way to supplement a resume and show qualified, intangible skills to employers.
How does this benefit learners and employers?
Learners benefit by earning important credentials quicker than traditional professional development or academic programs. The badges provide foundational skills essential to gaining employment opportunities. Digital Badges contain information linked to the individuals skills. For example, a badge might include samples of the individual’s work, serving as a digital portfolio.
Industry Partners benefit by being actively engaged in program creation. Candidates for positions in their organization will have validated competencies rather than relying on a resume and employment application for proof. The just-in-time nature of training programs also means employees earn credentials quicker, and with fewer time constraints typical of traditional academic programs.
In the grid below, please use the following as a reference:
Level I courses are Foundational skills, indicated by one small star on the digital badge. Level 2 courses are Intermediate skills, indicated by two small stars on the digital badge. Level 3 courses are Advanced skills, indicated by three small stars on the digital badge. Macro Level courses are Mastery skills, indicated by one large star on the digital badge.
To see scheduled dates, times, and costs associated with the courses required to earn a digital badge, view our course schedule. Contact the Center for Workforce and Professional Development for answers to additional questions about digital badging!
Category | Badge Name | Course(s) Required | Level | Badge Image | Description | Link |
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Category | Badge Name | Course(s) Required | Level | Badge Image | Description | Link |
Precision Machining Technology | Blueprint Reading | WDB-011: Blueprint Reading | Level 1 | Earners of the Blueprint Reading digital badge have demonstrated the ability to interpret engineering drawings intended to guide the manufacture of objects. Students have demonstrated the mastery of abbreviations and symbols common to blueprint drawings. Learners have shown the ability to interpret drawings which comply with current ANSI/ASME Y14.1-2009 standards. |
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Early Childhood Education | Brain States | Level 1 | Earners of the Child Guidance Brain States Digital Badge have demonstrated a thorough understanding of The Conscious Discipline Brain State Model. Furthermore, badge earners have been immersed in pedagogic neuroscience literature and have demonstrated a fluent understanding of the conscious discipline concept, school family and brain states. |
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Precision Machining Technology | CNC Lathes I | WDB-015: CNC Lathes I | Level 1 | Earners of the CNC Lathes I digital badge have demonstrated proficiency in the programming of CNC (Computer Numerical Control) lathes. Badge earners have shown they can perform routine maintenance & maintain coolant concentrations for the CNC lathe precision manufacturing machines. |
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Precision Machining Technology | CNC Lathes II | WDB-016: CNC Lathes II | Level 2 | Earners of the CNC Lathes II digital badge have demonstrated proficiency in the programming of CNC (Computer Numerical Control) Lathe. Learners have learned startup procedures, machine setup and operating procedures required to run parts from the programs they have written. Badge earners have shown they can perform routine maintenance & maintain coolant concentrations for the CNC Lathe. |
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Precision Machining Technology | CNC Milling I | WDB-013: CNC Milling I | Level 1 | Earners of the CNC Milling I digital badge have demonstrated they possess the fundamentals to program and operate Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Milling Centers. They have demonstrated the ability to conduct preventative maintenance on CNC Mill. |
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Precision Machining Technology | CNC Milling II | WDB-014: CNC Milling II | Level 2 | Earners of the CNC Milling II digital badge have demonstrated they possess the fundamentals to program, setup and operate Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Milling Centers. |
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21st Century Skills | Collaboration | WDB-001: Collaboration | Level 1 | Collaboration in the 21st century includes the capacity to work productively with different individuals and groups toward a common goal. Effective collaborators strengthen relationships by incorporating diverse perspectives, using active listening skills, and focusing on solutions rather than problems. |
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21st Century Skills | COVID-19 Readiness: Retail Foundations | Level 1 | Curriculum Specifically Designed for Retail Association of Maine Earners of the Retail Association of Maine COVID-19 Readiness – Foundations micro-credential demonstrate the knowledge of the best practices necessary to create a safe and healthy environment for themselves, their coworkers, outside vendors, and their customers. |
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21st Century Skills | COVID-19 Readiness: Ski Industry Foundations | Level 1 | Curriculum Designed Specifically for Ski Maine Association Earners of the COVID-19 Readiness Ski Industry Foundations micro-credential demonstrate the knowledge of the best practices necessary to create a safe and healthy environment for themselves, their coworkers, outside vendors, and their customers. |
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21st Century Skills | Creative Problem Solving | WDB-002: Creative Problem Solving | Level 1 | Creative problem-solving in the 21st century workplace includes the capacity to solve problems in new ways. Effective creative problem-solvers exercise four core sub-competencies: both divergent and convergent thinking; identify patterns that may not be obvious; manage ambiguity; and apply an iterative process for generating, testing and refining ideas. |
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21st Century Skills | Critical Thinking | WDB-003: Critical Thinking | Level 1 | Critical thinking in the 21st century includes the capacity to reason logically and rigorously. Effective critical thinkers exhibit four core sub-competencies: gather and assess relevant information; identify patterns; question assumptions; and draw well-reasoned conclusions. |
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21st Century Skills | De-escalation Foundations | Level 1 | The foundational De-Escalation micro-credential is awarded to learners who have demonstrated foundational knowledge regarding the traits, tools, and techniques that contribute to a proper de-escalation process. These learners have demonstrated that they understand how to positively interact with members of the public in ways that will enhance the reputations of the organizations they represent. |
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Early Childhood Education | Discipline Approaches | Level 2 | Earners of the Child Guidance Discipline Approaches Digital Badge have demonstrated the capacity to define and differentiate between various child behavior management approaches. Learners have demonstrated the ability to differentiate between appropriate and inappropriate child management approaches. Learners have shown the capacity to advocate for the mindful guidance of children in learning environments based on empiricism. |
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Business | E-Commerce | WDB-010: E-Commerce | Level 1 | Earners of the Retail E-Commerce Digital Badge have demonstrated the mastery of skills that enable them to work as organizational leaders in an online retail business or entrepreneurial environment. These learners have demonstrated comprehension of how the internet has affected commerce and communications on a global stage. Additionally, badge earners have demonstrated the comprehension of best practice marketing strategies for e-commerce. |
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21st Century Skills | Empathy | WDB-004: Empathy | Level 1 | Empathy in the 21st century includes the capacity to understand others’ perspectives and feelings to improve the quality of relationships, behaviors and performance. Empathetic individuals exhibit core four sub-competencies: “read the room”: they listen actively, to what is said explicitly and nonverbally. They are able to recognize what others need and to validate the feelings and of colleagues, recognizing that validation is not the same as agreement, and to incorporate diverse perspectives. |
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Building Construction Technology | Hand & Power Tool Safety | BCT-101: Intro to Hand and Power Tool Safety | Level 1 | Earners of the Hand & Power Tools Safety Digital Badge have demonstrated proficiency in the safe use of building and construction power tools. Earners of the Hand & Power Tools Safety Digital Badge have demonstrated retention of the principles guiding the safety and maintenance of hand tools and stationary power tools. Badge earners have demonstrated competence in these principles through combinations of written assessments and in-person demonstrations of tool operations. |
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21st Century Skills | Information Literacy | LER-100: Information Literacy | Level 1 | Earners of the Information Literacy badge have demonstrated an understanding of the CMCC Learning Commons environment. They have demonstrated that they are active library users and that they have the ability to access credible information independently. They understand the basic principles of research and are aware of the importance of ethical use of information. Candidates are able to use this knowledge to support their research process for a variety of purposes. |
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21st Century Skills | Initiative | WDB-005: Initiative | Level 1 | Initiative in the 21st century includes self-efficacy and the capacity to identify needs and respond proactively. Individuals who exercise initiative show four core sub-competencies: self-awareness, learning from both “failure” and “success” as opportunities to learn and develop. They lead without an official “leader” role or title, motivating others and catalyze necessary action. |
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Precision Machining Technology | Inspection | WDB-012: Inspection | Level 1 | Earners of the Inspection digital badge have demonstrated mastery of basic principles of precision machining production parts inspection. Learners comprehend the concepts of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing related to the precision machining industry, interpreted for manufacturing and inspection processes. Furthermore, they have demonstrated the comprehension of how functional gages are dimensioned, designed and utilized. |
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21st Century Skills | Intercultural Fluency | WDB-006: Intercultural Fluency | Level 1 | Intercultural fluency in the 21st century includes the capacity to operate and communicate in different cultural contexts. Individuals who are fluent interculturally exhibit these core four sub-competencies: recognize and challenge their own cultural biases; show curiosity; demonstrate self-awareness; and incorporate diverse perspectives. |
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Information Technology | IT Principles | WPD-501: MTA Windows 10 Fundamentals and WPD-509: CompTIA IT Fundamentals+ | Level 1 | Earners will have knowledge and skills required to identify and explain basics of computing, hardware, software, networking, IT infrastructure, databases and security. Additionally, they will have skills to: Install and upgrade software, applications & client systems; Establish basic network connectivity; Identify/prevent basic security risks; Explain troubleshooting theory & preventative maintenance; Understand operating, system configuration and maintenance; Manage, devices, files & folders. |
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21st Century Skills | Land Survey Technician | Level 1 | The earners of the Land Survey Technician badge have completed preparatory training for a nationally-recognized Land Survey Technician certification. They have demonstrated the ability to independently set up station and sequence stationing. Additionally, they have demonstrated the ability to accurately collect data, record observed angles and distances, utilize point coding, and take survey notes. Badge earners can accurately read topographical maps and have an understanding of CAD software operations. Furthermore, they have demonstrated the ability to follow safety guidelines in the field. |
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Success Skills | Life Ready | WDB-017: Life Ready | Level 1 | Earners of the CMCC Life-Ready badge have demonstrated a basic understanding of life skills that provide a foundation for future success in educational and workplace environments. Earners can describe the importance of self-awareness, self-advocacy, emotional awareness, persistence, personal initiative, and conscious decision-making. They have demonstrated an ability to engage in reflective thinking and to create a meaningful story of their current skills and abilities. |
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21st Century Skills | Oral Communication | WDB-007: Oral Communication | Level 1 | Oral communication in the 21st century includes verbal and nonverbal communication. An effective oral communicator can speak with clarity and precision in formal and informal contexts. Effective communicators exhibit four core sub-competencies: use stories to communicate ideas; they are aware of their audience and use the appropriate tone and word choice. They are also active listeners who can “hear” both what is said and what is not said and can use body language effectively. |
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Early Childhood Education | Problem Solving | Level 3 | Earners of the Child Guidance Problem Solving Digital Badge have demonstrated the ability to assist young learners in transforming missteps into learning opportunities. Badge earners have a thorough comprehension of how an educator’s intent can affect student behavior and academic achievement. Furthermore, they have demonstrated the ability to enhance the development of executive skills including metacognitive thought and time management. |
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21st Century Skills | Professionalism | WDB-008: Professionalism | Level 1 | Earners of the Professionalism Digital Badge have demonstrated they comprehend cultural norms pertaining to the professional world. They have demonstrated the ability to communicate effectively in both virtual and traditional office environments. They know how to establish a personal positive online presence to showcase their skills – to communicate with both peers and subject matter experts. Furthermore, they are able to accurately interpret both verbal and nonverbal forms of communication. |
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21st Century Skills | Residential Heat Pump Installer | Level 1 | Earners of the Residential Heat Pump Installer Digital Badge have demonstrated the ability to install heat pumps for residential structures in compliance with established efficiency MAINE standards. They have shown the ability to professionally evaluate the installation site, ensure the line is set to manufacturing standards and the indoor unit will remain level. Furthermore, trainees have demonstrated the ability to ensure all ductwork is insulated to RB and sealed. |
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21st Century Skills | Resilience | WDB-009: Resilience | Level 1 | Resilience in the 21st century includes the capacity to bounce back in the face of stress, challenge, and adversity. They do not dwell on disappointment but rather learn from experience and focus on solutions. Resilient individuals exhibit four core sub-competencies: self-awareness, exhibiting the cognitive and emotional flexibility to adjust and adapt. |
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Early Childhood Education | Self-Regulation | Macro Level | Earners of the Child Guidance & Self-Regulation Macro Badge have demonstrated long-term retention of content matter addressing childhood guidance, conscious discipline, and self-regulation methods. Additionally, learners have demonstrated global coherence and long-term retention of content relevant material through the completion of a professional experience designed to assess the student’s mastery of brain states, discipline approaches and self-regulation techniques. |
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21st Century Skills | Service Basics | WDB-020: Service Basics | Level 1 | Earners of the Service Basics badge have a fundamental understanding of the behaviors necessary to provide high-quality customer service experiences. They demonstrated awareness of the primary elements necessary to create a meaningful first impression and be responsive to the needs of their clientele. These candidates can use this framework of behaviors to build relationships and to meet customer needs in a variety of purposes and situations. |
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21st Century Skills | Service Excellence | WDB-023: Service Excellence | Macro Level | Earners of the Service Excellence badge have an advanced understanding of the behaviors necessary to provide high-quality service experiences and how to apply these behaviors in their interactions with others. They demonstrated the ability to integrate service knowledge, skills, and abilities to create materials and products that can be used to lead and teach others. These candidates can deliver “Wow!” experiences and leave a lasting impression in a variety of settings and situations. PREREQUISITE: WDB-022 Service Mastery |
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21st Century Skills | Service Mastery | WDB-022: Service Mastery | Level 3 | Earners of the Service Mastery badge have an in-depth understanding of the behaviors necessary to provide high-quality customer service experiences and how to model those behaviors for others. They demonstrated the ability to create materials and presentations that meaningfully communicate their values related to service excellence. These candidates can use these values, materials, and presentations to lead and teach others in a variety of settings. PREREQUISITE: WDB-021 Service Practitioner |
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21st Century Skills | Service Practitioner | WDB-021: Service Practitioner | Level 2 | Earners of the Service Practitioner badge have an in-depth understanding of the behaviors necessary to provide high-quality customer service experiences. They demonstrated the ability to build on basic service behaviors to provide an exceptional customer experience. These candidates can use their understanding of trust, empathy, and building on emotions to present products, services, or solutions that meaningfully address customer needs. PREREQUISITE: WDB-020 Service Basics |
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21st Century Skills | Welding Technician | Level 1 | Earners of the CMCC Welding Academy digital badge have demonstrated the ability to operate as an industrial welder. They have demonstrated proficiency in Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) and Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) processes. They have demonstrated the ability to complete assignments and they have attained a general understanding of the welding symbols commonly utilized in print/documents/basic drawing. They have retained a global comprehension of safety protocols. |
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