People and Skills Specification (PSS) is a framework for creating records of experiences, skills, trainings and certificates that makers can use to showcase accomplishments and relevant knowledge.
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When it comes to producing physical goods in makerspaces, fab labs, and other manufacturing facilities, the right materials, machinery, and spaces to support production are all needed to get the job done.
There are many ways to ensure that the physical resources are available for producing items, but what about the skills and knowledge needed?
Sometimes it can be difficult to find the expert needed to manage the production process, especially for complex production or products that are in a testing phase or are not produced regularly in a facility.
With the People and Skills Specification (PSS) there is now assurance that the experienced makers to support production can be located and matched with the right project at the right time.
The identity of digital passport holders can be established via organizational affiliations, or preexisting verification processes (OpenID, OAuth2, etc.).
Production spaces and projects have varying skills and credentials required, based on what machinery, materials, or chemicals are needed. With this specification, an individual maker can communicate their experiences by category, and an organization can match experiences and skills with what is needed.
This document describes the development of a mutual recognition standard in order to issue digital “Maker Passports” that show skills and experience levels of makers. By Sarah Hutton
These slides are from the community call with Research and Community Engagement Lead Sarah Hutton, joined by community experts, discussing how the standards are being tested in the Innovative Manufacturing in Africa program and the mAkE Consortium project. To view a recording of the call, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYljJyDKN3Y
This 1-page pdf flyer provides a brief overview of the People and Skills Specification, which provides a structure for verifying the skills and experiences needed to make something specific, by providing a shared taxonomy of skills and experiences and a framework for the recognition of this knowledge. The specification aids in the ability to locate the skills and expertise required to make a thing, and gives makers the ability to highlight their skills and experiences to potential employers, collaborators, and policy makers.
