Work Skills Kingston: Empowering Learners, Strengthening Workforces
Unlocking Talent Through Digital Badging
Work Skills Kingston helps employers connect with a diverse, skilled workforce while enabling individuals to showcase their capabilities through industry-recognised digital badges. Our partnerships with leading organisations across sectors ensure that learners gain real-world experience and develop work-ready skills that align with employer needs.
Digital badges are more than credentials—they are a bridge between learning and employment. Employers can use them to identify talent, validate skills, and streamline recruitment, while individuals gain a portable, verifiable record of their achievements.
Work Skills Kingston, in partnership with Navigatr, has won a global EdTech award for its innovative use of digital badges as part of the Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP). This recognition highlights its impact in bridging education and inclusive employment, helping learners gain industry-recognised skills and career opportunities.
Real-World Impact: Case Studies
Our programme has helped learners progress into work through multiple tailored pathways, each designed in collaboration with industry partners to meet local and national skills demands.
Tech Start Programme
The Tech Start Programme addresses the growing demand for digital skills by providing hands-on training in AI, cloud computing, and digital content creation. Developed in collaboration with Accenture and Sustainable UK, this initiative equips learners with essential competencies needed for careers in technology. By participating, individuals gain practical experience and industry insights, improving their employability in the fast-growing digital sector.
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Health & Social Care Essential Skills Academy
This programme supports learners who are interested in careers in nursing, social care, and healthcare support. It combines practical training with the development of key soft skills, ensuring participants are well-prepared for roles within the NHS and other healthcare providers. The initiative aligns with national health and social care priorities, offering a clear pathway into a sector with high demand for skilled workers.
Work Skills Kingston: The Foundation for Work-Ready Learners
Work Skills Kingston provides a structured approach to developing employability skills, supporting individuals in areas such as CV building, communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. Designed in collaboration with local employers and the Department for Work and Pensions, this initiative ensures learners gain the core competencies required for success in the workplace. The programme is open to individuals across all industries, offering flexible learning opportunities tailored to different career paths.
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Digital Badges are a way to recognise skills, they act like a digital reference and contain information about your achievement.
They can be shared on social media like Facebook, professional profiles like Linkedin and with employers on CVs and application forms.
Kingston Bright Futures: Aon’s Work Insights Programme
The Kingston Bright Futures: Aon’s Work Insights Programme badge is awarded to students who have taken part in a structured work experience initiative designed to introduce them to careers in the financial and professional services sector. Through mentoring, workplace tours, and hands-on projects, participants gain valuable insights into key industry roles, develop essential employability skills, and build professional networks. This programme supports young people in making informed career choices while providing them with a recognised achievement that enhances their future employability.
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Coombe Academy Year 10 World of Work Day
The Coombe Academy Year 10 World of Work Day badge recognises students who have actively participated in a dedicated career insight event, designed to introduce them to real-world employment opportunities. Through interactive sessions with employers, hands-on activities, and workplace visits, students gain valuable exposure to different industries and essential workplace skills. The initiative helps young people develop career aspirations, build confidence, and understand the expectations of the modern job market, providing a strong foundation for future employment pathways.
SEND Pathways: Kingston College & Achieving for Children
In partnership with Achieving for Children, this initiative provides supported internships and vocational training for young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). By working closely with local employers, the programme ensures that learners receive real workplace experience, helping them transition into meaningful employment. The initiative focuses on inclusion, accessibility, and long-term career opportunities for SEND learners.
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Barista Skills Badge
Designed for individuals facing barriers to employment, the Abbey Coffee Shop Barista Badge provides hands-on training in coffee-making, customer service, and business operations. Developed in collaboration with local cafés and social enterprises, the programme helps learners gain valuable workplace experience, boosting their confidence and employability. It also serves as an entry point into the hospitality industry.
Skills and Employment Champion
The Skills and Employment Champion badge recognises individuals who play an active role in supporting skills development and employment initiatives within their communities. Awarded to professionals across education, business, and local government, the badge highlights contributions to workforce development, mentoring, and employer engagement. Champions advocate for skills-based hiring, promote lifelong learning, and help bridge the gap between education and employment. By earning this badge, individuals demonstrate a commitment to fostering inclusive opportunities and strengthening local and regional skills ecosystems.
Fulham Football Club Pathway
This programme provides young people with career pathways in professional sports and community engagement. By participating, learners develop teamwork, leadership, and employability skills that prepare them for roles in coaching, sports management, and hospitality. The pathway is designed to support individuals in building confidence and gaining valuable industry experience, helping them transition into the workforce.
Built to be shared
Share badges or your profile of achievements offer a way to share your skills on Linkedin, Facebook and other platforms searched by employers and educators.
Who is using digital badges?
Over 74,780,775 Badges have been issued to people to date, according to a report by 1EdTech.
They are being used by organisations all over the world and are fast becoming the way to recognise skills. Organisations like City & Guilds, Open University, IBM and Adobe all use digital badges.
✓ Attract Talent – Engage with an inclusive, skilled, work-ready talent pool.
✓ Verify Skills Instantly – Use badges as a trusted signal of competency.
✓ Strengthen Workforce Development – Align recruitment with skills-based hiring.
✓ Develop and Retain Talent – Build a skilled workforce with clear progression pathways.
✓ Build Social Impact – Support inclusive pathways into work.
Want to integrate digital badging into workforce skilsl programme?
Why Employers Should Get Involved
““Badges are better than just having it written on your CV because there's evidence there. I feel like I can actually succeed in a workplace environment now.”
Peter, 19 - Clarion Housing Intern and Badge Earner
Frequently Asked Questions
For more resources, visit the Navigatr Help Centre.
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You will receive an email notification from Navigatr (hello@navigatr.app) with instructions for claiming your badge and setting up your account.
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Follow the instructions in the email to claim your badge and set up your account on Navigatr. This will allow you to access and manage your digital badges.
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Digital badges provide a simple and secure way to showcase your achievements. They can enhance your professional profile, make it easier to share your skills.
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If it’s the first badge you have received, follow the instructions in the email to set up your profile, you can then see also the options for sharing, you can share the badge or your profile on professional networking sites such as Linkedin or, social media like Facebook, Twitter and Whatsapp. You can also include it in your email signature.
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Some badges have an expiration date, so will show as expired on your profile. Contact the organisation who issued your badge or our support team at Navigatr (support@navigatr.app) for help.
Make every achievement count
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