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New Upwork Skill Certifications

lenaellis
Community Member

We have launched a new initiative to help freelancers showcase their expertise by earning an Upwork Skill Certification. These skill certifications highlight talent that has demonstrated competency in their field by passing a rigorous skill assessment or sample work review, evaluated by domain experts in their field.

 

Currently, Upwork Skill Certifications are available for certain skills in the Web & Mobile Software Development (WMSD) and Design & Creative fields. For WMSD, certification is a two-step process that takes 2 to 3 hours. Participants must achieve a passing score on two timed and proctored coding tests. Design & Creative talent must achieve a passing score on their Upwork portfolio, which is evaluated by a panel of third-party domain experts. You can learn more about Upwork Skill Certifications here. Given the intricacy of having skills assessed, these certifications are exclusively invite-only at this time.  

 

Upwork Skill Certifications will display on your Upwork profile in the certifications area.

 

Here is an example of a Microsoft certification on a profile. Upwork Skills Certifications will appear in a similar format but with an Upwork badge for the specialized certification. 

Sample existing certification

MS Certifications.png

Sample Upwork Skills Certification Badge

Skill Certification.png

Upwork Skill Certifications are currently available in 10 software development languages and 16 design and creative skills. 

 

Upwork Skill Certifications in Web & Mobile Software Development test for individual proficiency in a particular language or technology. Assessment methodology varies by skill, using a combination of timed, proctored tests and in some cases, technical interviews. 

 

  • Android, Java
  • Android, Kotlin
  • iOS, Objective-C
  • iOS, Swift
  • C#, Desktop Software Development
  • C++, Desktop Software Development
  • Java Back-end Development
  • JavaScript Back-end Development
  • JavaScript Front-end Development
  • PHP Back-end Development
  • Python Back-end Development
  • Ruby on Rails Back-end Development

 

Upwork Skill Certifications in Design & Creative test for an individual’s or agency’s demonstrated competency in current design best practices. A panel of 2 or more domain experts evaluates a freelancer or agency Upwork portfolio based upon several dimensions depending upon the skill. 

 

  • 2D Animation
  • 3D Animation
  • 3D Modeling *NEW*
  • Art Direction
  • Brand Identity
  • Cartooning
  • Creative Direction
  • Editorial Design
  • Graphic Design
  • Illustration
  • Image Editing
  • Motion Graphics
  • Presentation Design
  • User Experience Design
  • User Interface Design
  • Video Editing
  • Videography

 

We plan to grow the program and offer the skill assessments to more talent and in additional skill areas. You do not need to have earned a talent tier such as Top Rated or Expert-Vetted to receive an invitation. These are signals of having expertise in your field and do increase your chances of being invited, though. For the best chance of being invited, achieve and maintain a solid reputation, complete identity verification, maintain a complete and up-to-date profile that is not set to private, and have an active Upwork account in good standing. 

348 Comments
crispincourtenay
Community Member

Sorry - follow on thought. Those of us with accreditation not on the list - do you have a plan to address them. Would you like one that utilizes blockchain as proof of competency?

mustafe20
Community Member
Dear Sir/madam
As I am graphic designer, I need to take this course
JoanneP
Moderator

Hi Crispin,

 

We currently have 10 skill certifications in the Web  & Mobile Software Development and 16 in Design & Creative categories. We hope to expand skill certifications to other categories in the future. 

JoanneP
Moderator

Hi Mustafe,

 

At this time you cannot request to be invited. For the best chance of being invited in the future,  we suggest freelancers achieve a solid reputation, keep a complete and up-to-date profile that is not set to private, and maintain an active Upwork account in good standing. 

90a1bd23
Community Member

Great list. When can we expect certifications in content writing and copywriting?

VladimirG
Community Manager

Hi Vandana,

 

Thanks for your question. We currently have 10 skill certifications in the Web  & Mobile Software Development and 16 in Design & Creative categories. We hope to expand skill certifications to other categories in the future. 

modelingwhiz
Community Member

That's a great Initiaitive. but how will skills in freelance work like Financial modelling be evaluated and certified?

a22614f8
Community Member

I have a question about about product design and CAD rendering, is those needs an Upwork skill certification ?

 

VladimirG
Community Manager

Hi Mayowa,

 

Thank you for your interest! That's a great question and we'll definitely provide more information about the specific process once we expand the program to the category and skill you mentioned.

VladimirG
Community Manager

Hi Karim,

 

If I understand correctly, you're asking if you need to provide a certificate in order to become eligible for the Upwork Skill Certifications program? If that's the case you definitely should add any certificates you have related to the services you're offering on Upwork to your profile but that's not a specific requirement for participating in this invite-only program. For the best chance of being invited, we suggest freelancers achieve a solid reputation, keep a complete and up-to-date profile that is not set to private, and maintain an active Upwork account in good standing. 

You can find more information in Lena's opening post. Feel free to follow up if you need further advice or guidance.