Skills-Based Credentials Drive Higher Salaries and Lower Training Costs - Lin Grensing-Pophal, HR Daily Advisor

As workforce requirements shift dramatically in an era of rapidly developing technology—including generative AI (GenAI), employers are shifting their focus from educational credentials to a focus on specific skills. New data from Coursera’s 2025 Micro-Credentials Impact Report supports this shift and offers insights into how employers can develop a more skills-based focus for their talent acquisition and learning and development (L&D) efforts.

Adoption is dramatic. For example: 

97% of employers are already using or exploring skills-based hiring. 

90% say they’re willing to offer higher starting salaries to candidates with micro-credentials. 

89% of employers who have hired candidates with micro-credentials say they saved on training costs for those hires—with most saving 10–30% annually. 

https://hrdailyadvisor.com/2025/05/30/skills-based-credentials-drive-higher-salaries-and-lower-training-costs/