91% of Employers Look For Digital Credentials As AI Governance Pressure Rises
Training your employees on proper AI use, governance and risk should be a key part of your AI implementation process. Here’s how not to leave your workforce behind in the ever-evolving worlds of tech and project management.
New figures from digital credential platform Accredible have revealed that 91% of HR and talent leaders intentionally look for digital credentials - in areas like AI - when reviewing job applications. With the search for new hires with existing digital skills increasingly being prioritised, it’s crucial that your current employees aren’t getting left behind.
Innovating with new tech like AI is important for businesses. However, for tangible and measurable results, thoughtful implementation that involves your workforce at every step is key. AI governance is no longer a background policy: it’s becoming a workforce capability problem. And AI skills and readiness training is part of the solution.
Written by
Ryan is a specialised corporate learning and development (L&D) manager who advises businesses on the best training solutions for their staff. He has collaborated with hundreds of companies to understand the specific skill gaps in teams and conduct thorough competency benchmarking. This means he has a deep understanding of where workforces are often strong and where they tend to fall behind in terms of digital skills.
AI Governance Has To Start Before Tools Go Live
Responsible AI use does not begin after launch. Ray Eitel-Porter, former Global Head of Responsible AI at Accenture and founder of Lumyz Advisory, explained that governance should be the foundation of business-wide AI use:
“Let’s face it, most people do not read principles or policies in organisations… You also need really good training. I am an advocate for broad awareness training for the entire organisation. Everyone should be aware of what AI can achieve, the positive things, how to use it in their day-to-day work, but also what risks to look out for and what to do about them.”
Too many organisations give teams AI tools, chase quick productivity wins, then bolt on controls once the risks appear. By then, the big decisions have already been made: what to build, what to buy, what data to use, who approves it, and who owns the outcome. Good governance needs checkpoints at those decision points.
AI Training as Risk Prevention
Hallucinations and reliability issues get headlines, but the quieter risks may hit organisations harder over time. This is why AI governance cannot sit with legal, IT or risk teams alone, and broad awareness training is the missing link. Employees need to know what AI can and cannot do, how to use it day to day, where the risks sit and when to ask for help.
Accredible’s recent State of Credentialing Report found that 97% of employers consider digital credentials essential or valuable in hiring decisions. It also found that 75% say credentials make it easier to verify and evaluate candidate skills, while 86% are more likely to interview a candidate with a digital credential proving a key skill.
Upskill Your Team: Getting Started
Despite overwhelming demand for digital credentials, fewer than half (46%) of HR and talent leaders report regularly encountering them on CVs. If you’re struggling to secure certified professionals when recruiting, providing your employees with comprehensive training can be a great alternative. With 49% of workers in the UK ready to leave their jobs due to a lack of career development, AI training can help minimise staff turnover.
We support organisations with bespoke, benchmarked workforce upskilling across a range of areas, including AI and data readiness, plus:
Our fully managed and structured learning and development programs empower your workforce to perform with high levels of confidence, judgement, and accountability.
Contact us today for a free consultation and team skills gap analysis.
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