Certified Qualifications via NFTs

The current way we validate people's history is to make an initial judgement based on what is written by them on a document in front of us. There is no way except to check with referees and formal qualification holders that what we are being told is in fact true. This is open to collusion. NFT as a verifiable holder of each entry can be universally available across a range of platforms and be carried by the candidate literally in their pocket and shared with recruiters or provided during the application process.

An NFT based portfolio can hold the qualifications, certifications, employment history, course completion certificates, certification tokens, seminar participation etc as an asset with verified credentials – something that as an NFT, will have indisputable providence.

For those that need it, qualifications and certification could be created with end dates, so that a history of refreshed qualifications can be maintained.

An new business focussed NFT application could show the portfolio of certifications and experience in categories that lend themselves to the roles being targeted. For example, formal degrees, seminars, courses, licences professional qualifications, published works etc. for a university role, or trainee certificate for a new apprenticeship role.

The NFT could be linked with an oracle API to provide support for linking with HR or recruitment systems. A link back to a work experience and qualification wallet could also be considered.

There are a large range of types of qualifications, certifications, licences etc that could be considered and added over time.

Expected essential functionality would be the support of the creation, verification/validation, acceptance of posted certifications/attendances, management of expired qualifications and history as well as certification renewals, and transaction history.

The proposal is to kick start the development of a suitable platform to support this business need through to a working alpha version to enable further development and support from the Cardano community. This supports the challenge through the serious application of NFTs to solve a real world problem that we have had personal experience with over many years. By building on Cardano we promote the Cardano network, and support its growth through the application of broadly usable and highly visible business application.  

The app would provide a portfolio view of the categories of verifiable history and certifications, similar to what some simple NFTs for art work do today. A model perhaps like wallet app paradigm that can present the NFTs in different portfolio groups based on what is required for the scenario. The solution would need to be abstracted from the underlying technology to provide utility for this broad business user base.

The proposal plan is to aim at an 8-10 month alpha release to prove the concept technically and test the acceptance of the utility of such a solution in a range of industries.

The outcome is to develop a commercial platform for use by both applicants and businesses. Widespread adoption should be achieved on Cardano in preference to Etherium ERC721 due to the potentially very high gas fees of a typical ETH NFT transaction – something that could severely limit the potential user base for this platform.

It is expected that the capability would be built over a series of Phases. Funding is being sort to help kick off the project (Phase 0).

Phase 0 – Discovery (Months 1-3)

• Explore concepts, flesh out proposed user experience, test assumptions and ideas. Identify partner businesses.

• Budget: $10K USD

• Outcome:

o designs and interaction models,

o proofs of concepts

o developing an end user acquisition plan.

Phase 1 – Initial Categories (Month 4-5)

• Certified work experience

• Certified participation/attendance

• Budget: No funding at this time

• Outcome:

o Working functionality for work experience creation and verification

o Working functionality for certified participation

Phase 2 – Second round categories (Month 6-7)

• Certified course completion

• Certified formal qualifications

• Identify alpha business scenario partners

• Budget: No funding at this time

• Outcome:

o Working functionality for course completion

o Working functionality for formal qualifications

Phase 3 – Alpha release (Months 8-10)

• Recruit alpha testers and release workable alpha for field testing

• Refine alpha release based on feedback

• Refine end user acquisition and app growth plan

• Seek further investment based on the feedback from the field tests

• Budget: No funding at this time

• Outcome:

o Acquisition of at least 10 alpha business testers

o Working functionality on web, iOS, Android (in the form of an alpha)

o Roadmap for the remainder of the project

Remaining features could include (as ideas) – renewals, extensions, time limits, disposal, licenses, bridge to ERC 721 NFTs (if required) and other objects identified in the discovery stage and after discussions with business scenario partners

Outcome – a new app + NFT platform that provides a indisputable history of a prospective candidate that includes verified certifications, qualifications, work experience, professional licenses as NFT's on the Cardano network that can be easily created and maintained by the NFT owner and verified by the appropriate verification authority.