Building a Better Future: SkillLab's B Corp Certification Journey
We have exciting news to share! SkillLab is now officially B corp certified. This is a significant milestone that validates our purpose-driven approach and our deep commitment to using business as a force for good. It officially recognizes that we meet the highest standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability.
The rigorous, two-year certification process also recognized our Impact Business Model - a key achievement that not all B Corps attain. This means our core business, which is to help people find jobs and education through the universal language of skills, is specifically designed to create positive social and environmental outcomes.
What Does It Mean to be B Corp Certified?
B Corp certification is not just a badge; it's a commitment. To earn it, a company must:
- Meet Verified Social and Environmental Performance Standards: Businesses must demonstrate a high level of positive impact on their workers, communities, customers, and the environment. This is measured across five key areas: Governance, Workers, Community, Environment, and Customers.
- Make a Legal Promise: Certified B Corps amend their legal governing documents to formally commit to considering all stakeholders in their decision-making, not just shareholders. This protects the company's mission over the long term.
- Be Transparent: B Corps are required to publicly share their B Impact Assessment score, showing how they performed. See our B Corp profile here.
SkillLab's Pillars of Impact: How We Scored 93 Points
The B Impact Assessment requires a minimum score of 80 points. We are proud to have scored an impressive 93.2 points. Here is a look at our performance in each area:
- Customers: 29.8 points
- Workers: 26.6 points
- Community: 18.1 points
- Governance: 15.3 points
- Environment: 3.3 points
A. Customers
Our highest score in the B Corp Assessment is in the Customers area, which is a testament to our mission of helping people connect to careers. Our platform helps people who are unaware of their skills make smarter career choices.
For example, in our latest project in Mexico, we partnered with the Innovation Foundation and YouthBuild México to help young people who had dropped out of school discover their skills and career potential. This project helps them recognize and value the skills they have, a crucial step to escape unemployment. A user named Adelaida shared that the tool helped her "lose my fear" and gain confidence in her abilities after she struggled to professionally describe her skills. For more details on this project, you can read our article on Paving the Pathways to Employability for Youth at Risk in Mexico.
B. Workers
Our second-highest score is in the Workers section, which reflects our commitment to collaboration. At SkillLab, we believe collaboration is essential for achieving our goals. We foster a culture of teamwork and open communication, because we know that shared knowledge drives innovation and strengthens problem-solving. We organize regular retreats, company days, and office events to create informal opportunities for bonding.
Our operating model promotes cross-team collaboration and efficiency, breaking down silos to ensure seamless information flow. To show how much we value teamwork, we include collaborative skills in our performance evaluations and feedback cycles. We know that by working together, we can achieve more than we could alone. You can read more about SkillLab Life here: SkillLab Life: Our values & how we practice them.
C. Community
Our strong performance in the Community section is a direct reflection of our commitment to social well-being and diversity. We believe a company's success is tied to the health of its community, which is why we’ve made it a priority to have a positive impact. Our commitment to creating an inclusive and equitable environment extends beyond our team to the communities we serve. For a deeper look at our dedication to these values, you can read our article on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
D. Governance
The Governance section of the assessment evaluates a company's overall mission, ethics, and transparency. Our score in this area highlights our strong processes and legal frameworks that preserve our mission and consider all stakeholders in our decision-making. We believe that by embedding our values into our core legal documents, we can ensure that our commitment to social impact remains at the heart of our operations. This focus on ethical conduct and transparency is a cornerstone of our company culture.
E. Environment
While our score in the Environment section may not be as high as in other areas, it's important to understand the context. As a small software company, our operations have a naturally minor environmental footprint. We don't have large factories or complex supply chains to manage. This means that while we don't actively track metrics like carbon emissions, our daily work already falls into a low-impact category. However, we are aware of our responsibility to do more, we are already exploring ways to be more conscious as we continue to grow.
Join Our Purpose-Driven Team! 👋
Our B corp certification is more than just a certificate. It shows who we are and what we stand for. It confirms our dedication to making a real difference in the world. We do this by connecting people with jobs and education through skills. It highlights that we care about our employees, our community, and the good we create.
If you are passionate about learning and want to join a team that values growth, we invite you to look at our open jobs. Explore vacancies on our Careers page and follow us on our LinkedIn.