New Tech-Backed Credentials Boost Hiring Potential for Immigrants: 'Can Help Level the Playing Field for Them'

A new form of digital credentialing is helping immigrants navigate the U.S. job market more effectively by giving them control over how their skills and experiences are presented to employers.

A 15-month pilot program run by Jobs for the Future (JFF) and the International Rescue Committee (IRC) found that all immigrant participants secured jobs after using a new technology called Learner Employment Records (LERs).

LERs are digital credentials that function like a digital wallet, storing a person's verified skills, work authorizations, education history, and other employment-relevant documentation, as a new piece by startup news website Technical.ly explains. "They own it and they have access to share what they want with whom they want, which is a very positive, empowering thing," said Kevin Davis, a workforce development advisor at the IRC explained to the news site.

The technology is designed to give job seekers more agency while addressing the limitations of traditional resumes, especially for those with non-U.S. credentials or limited documentation.

The IRC's program trained immigrants and refugees in basic workplace readiness, such as clocking in and out, requesting time off, and collaborating with colleagues. These competencies were then recorded in the participants' LERs for use during job applications.

While the pilot demonstrated positive outcomes, widespread adoption remains uncertain due to technical and logistical challenges. "I think everyone sees the value in this in different and exciting new ways," Davis said, "but the logistics of it remain an open question to a lot of the different stakeholders in this space." He noted that employer awareness and compatibility with hiring systems are still lacking.

Beyond the pilot, several states are beginning to adopt similar tools, signaling potential for widespread adoption. In California, Governor Gavin Newsom's administration proposed a statewide "Career Passport" system earlier this week that would digitally document both academic credentials and verified skills gained through military service, jobs, or training programs. The initiative is part of the state's new Master Plan for Career Education, aimed at strengthening career pathways and supporting skills-based hiring.

The plan also includes expanding Credit for Prior Learning, allowing Californians to convert work and life experience into college credit. According to the state, these efforts are expected to benefit 250,000 people, including 30,000 veterans.