Smart Credentialing and Verification System for National Certificates using Blockchain Technology

Abstract

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in the Philippines issues National Certificates (NCs) which is an important credential for graduates and skilled workers, affirming their capabilities in line with defined competency standards. However, with the advancement in information technology and the availability of affordable editing tools in the market raised concerns about the creation of counterfeit documents including NCs. The study focused on creating a smart credentialing and verification system for issuing National Certificates using blockchain technology. Researchers used Polygon blockchain that implements Proof-of-Stake consensus algorithm for system's efficiency and security. Certificates generated by the system are stored on the blockchain, with each certificate assigned a unique address for verification purposes. The system was assessed using ISO/IEC 25010 standards, and respondents provided good feedback on a variety of parameters. Future development recommendations include integrating a mobile application for easier certificate access and verification, providing real-time updates, establishing a feedback mechanism, and implementing analytics to gain insights into certificate issuance and user engagement.