{
  "schema": "vedokrok.public-item.v1",
  "release_id": "MHC-RPUB-20260920-75ad787a",
  "url": "/knowledge/treat-a-credential-as-a-pointer-to-evidence-not-the-whole-evidence",
  "id": "MHC-D-RESEARCH-0649",
  "version": "0.1.0",
  "title": "Treat a credential as a pointer to evidence, not the whole evidence",
  "summary": "A credential says something was assessed; the important question is what it actually establishes.",
  "kind": "principle",
  "body": "For each important credential, record what was assessed, how current it is, whether hands-on performance was involved and which real work or practice reinforces it. Keep credentials where employers or regulators value them, but avoid treating every badge as equivalent proof.",
  "limits": [
    "Some licensed professions legitimately require credentials as a gate; this principle does not reduce formal requirements."
  ],
  "topics": [
    "union-career-portability-and-transition-readiness"
  ],
  "intents": [],
  "source_ids": [
    "RS-5C8CCADF0C9DAB5E",
    "RS-C0F55A08DAD82996"
  ],
  "evidence": [
    {
      "claim": "OECD 2025 and 2026 skills work supports transparent recognition of skills and more portable ways to signal learning and capability across jobs.",
      "source_id": "RS-5C8CCADF0C9DAB5E",
      "role": "supports",
      "note": "Skills-first hiring does not remove the importance of experience, regulated qualifications or occupation-specific requirements.",
      "locator": "Skills-first labour market summary"
    },
    {
      "claim": "OECD Skills Outlook 2025 recommends flexible learning pathways and recognition of prior learning to support movement between education, work and different career routes.",
      "source_id": "RS-C0F55A08DAD82996",
      "role": "supports",
      "note": "Recognition systems and credential portability vary by country and profession.",
      "locator": "Support mobility through flexible learning pathways"
    }
  ],
  "use_when": [
    "A course, badge or certification is doing all the work in a capability claim."
  ],
  "avoid_when": [
    "Some licensed professions legitimately require credentials as a gate; this principle does not reduce formal requirements."
  ],
  "example": "A cloud certification is paired with a recent architecture exercise and clearly separated from production experience.",
  "check": "You can explain the evidentiary role and limits of each important credential.",
  "sources": [
    {
      "id": "RS-5C8CCADF0C9DAB5E",
      "title": "A Skills-First Labour Market",
      "url": "https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/a-skills-first-labour-market_2e1b85f0-en.html"
    },
    {
      "id": "RS-C0F55A08DAD82996",
      "title": "OECD Skills Outlook 2025",
      "url": "https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/oecd-skills-outlook-2025_26163cd3-en.html"
    }
  ],
  "relations": [
    {
      "from": "MHC-D-RESEARCH-0649",
      "to": "MHC-D-RESEARCH-0645",
      "type": "useful_with",
      "url": "/knowledge/prefer-learning-that-produces-work-like-evidence"
    }
  ],
  "collections": [
    {
      "id": "RC-72B4F1DC8779A7DE",
      "title": "Make your skills portable before you need to move",
      "url": "/collections/make-your-skills-portable-before-you-need-to-move"
    }
  ]
}