OECD/ILO: Flexible Learning Pathways into Healthcare Occupations - the Policy Edge

A joint report by the OECD and ILO, Flexible Learning Pathways into Healthcare Occupations highlights that the global healthcare sector faces a projected shortage of 11.1 million workers by 2030, necessitating a systemic shift toward flexible learning pathways. The framework advocates for modular learning, micro-credentials, and the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) to facilitate transitions into entry-level healthcare roles, which often require less than a bachelor’s degree. By leveraging digital tools and multimodal learning—such as India’s Project ECHO and the Apollo MedSkills-NSDC partnership—countries can bridge geographic divides and provide real-time capacity building for rural providers.

https://www.policyedge.in/p/oecdilo-flexible-learning-pathways

The Michigan State University Institute of Agricultural Technology (IAT) Expands Food Processing, Technology and Safety Workforce Training - Michigan State University Institute of Agricultural Tech

The Michigan State University Institute of Agricultural Technology (IAT) is expanding its Food Processing, Technology and Safety (FPTS) workforce training program with funding from the U.S. Department of Education (DOE). The IAT Food Processing, Technology and Safety certificate program, launched in fall 2019, trains students on the processes and technologies used to convert commodities into consumable food products. Graduates of the program receive an MSU certificate and an associate degree from IAT’s community college partners. The U.S. Department of Education’s Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) will provide approximately $2.36 million over four years to support this initiative. Full funding for the project comes from FIPSE and MSU IAT. 

https://perishablenews.com/retailfoodservice/the-michigan-state-university-institute-of-agricultural-technology-iat-expands-food-processing-technology-and-safety-workforce-training/

The Apprentice: Why Higher Ed Is Leaning Into Earn-and-Learn - Colleen Flaherty, Inside Higher Ed

VUCA: volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity. It’s a management acronym popularized by the U.S. military to describe the changing world after the Cold War. But Minah Woo, vice president of workforce innovation and strategic partnerships at Howard Community College in Maryland, said it accurately describes the current operating environment for higher education. “We are dealing with a lot of things happening all at once,” Woo said, “and it’s requiring us to think outside the box and be agile.” 

One solution? Apprenticeship. It’s not an innovation, per se, since apprenticeships predate the modern university by centuries. But many institutions are helping reimagine what an apprenticeship can be and whom it can be for. And, in so doing, they’re reimagining the interplay between higher education and the workforce and how learners can obtain a credential of value. Today’s apprenticeship programs span not only the skilled trades but fields from nursing and teaching to cybersecurity. And while apprenticeships can and do exist outside of higher education, they’re increasingly offered for credit, or embedded within degree pathways.

https://www.insidehighered.com/news/tech-innovation/alternative-credentials/2026/02/17/why-higher-ed-leaning-apprenticeships

Local teachers benefit from Seton Hill program on Holocaust, genocide education - Quincey Reese, Trib Live

For Leticia Fournier, the religious affiliation of Christ the Divine Teacher School in Latrobe makes education on the Holocaust even more important. Fournier has taught the school’s Holocaust studies course for eight years. First launched in 2004, the class was a partnership with nearby Beth Israel synagogue, which closed in 2015. “I think our Catholic school curriculum allows us to pull in the topic easily,” said Fournier, 59, of Latrobe, “because we look at persecutions of Christians, persecutions of Christ and what you can do as a Christian … to help protect other people and speak up.” Fournier credits her confidence in teaching the subject to Seton Hill’s genocide and Holocaust education program — which will be offered for a third year this spring.

https://community.triblive.com/news/3980996

Startup costs and confusion are stalling apprenticeships in the US. Here’s how to fix it. - Annelies Goger, Brookings

There is widespread support for expanding apprenticeships in the United States, but employer participation remains stubbornly low, especially in industries where apprenticeships are uncommon. This isn’t for lack of trying; intermediaries and technical assistance providers have developed workarounds, states and the federal government have launched initiatives and grants, and funders have supported pilot programs and communities of practice. But it’s not enough. Our research, including interviews with 14 experts and nine employers, suggests that minor tweaks to the U.S. apprenticeship system won’t be sufficient to scale it across many industries and occupations. 

https://www.brookings.edu/articles/startup-costs-and-confusion-are-stalling-apprenticeships-in-the-us-heres-how-to-fix-it/

New Research: How AI Transforms $400 Billion Of Corporate Learning - joshbersin

This week we launch our fifth major study of corporate L&D and the results are staggering: 74% of companies tell us they are not keeping up with their company’s demand for new skills. This is a shocking statistic. Businesses spend $400 billion on training, content libraries, L&D technology, trainers, and learning consultants. If three-quarters of them are not keeping up it says we have billions of dollars of wasted effort. Well there is an answer, and it’s all about redefining the problem. Our skills challenge at work is not one of “learning” or “training.” Rather it’s a problem of dynamically sharing information, enabling people to explore, question, and apply new ideas. The traditional pedagogical paradigm of “training” is holding us back.

https://joshbersin.com/2026/02/new-research-how-ai-transforms-400-billion-of-corporate-learning/

The credential boom is here, but which ones actually help workers? - Marcela Escobari and Ian Seyal, Brookings

The credential marketplace has exploded, yet without guardrails, workers face an opaque, high-stakes gamble, where distinguishing value from noise is increasingly urgent. Recent analysis of over 156 million U.S. resumes reveals clear patterns showing which credentials pay off, who benefits most, and why many non-degree credentials deliver little or no return. With Workforce Pell poised to direct billions into short-term programs, policymakers can take key steps to ensure accountability so that public dollars flow to credentials that genuinely advance workers’ mobility.

https://www.brookings.edu/articles/credential-boom-which-ones-help-workers/

Yale Launches Certificate in Strategic Climate Communication - Yale School of the Environment

A new online certificate program launched by the Yale School of the Environment will equip climate change communicators with skills to navigate this rapidly evolving media landscape. The 14-week program, developed by the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication (YPCCC), reflects the changing nature of climate communication. “We have tools at our disposal to communicate at a speed and scale that is just unprecedented, and we’re operating in an environment where communication itself is ever more critical,” said program instructor Anthony Leiserowitz, the JoshAni-TomKat Professor of Climate Change Communication and director of YPCCC.

https://environment.yale.edu/news/article/yale-launches-certificate-strategic-climate-communication

Earn an HBCU Degree Online With New eHBCU Initiative - Jamie Jackson, the Black Chronicle

Students interested in earning an HBCU degree without relocating may soon have more options, as a new initiative expands online access to historically Black colleges and universities nationwide. eHBCU is a new consortium operating as a shared online learning platform designed to take HBCUs into the digital future. The initiative currently includes Delaware State University, Southern University and A&M College, Southern University at New Orleans, Southern University at Shreveport, Alabama State University and Pensole Lewis College of Business & Design. With financial support from Blue Meridian Partners and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, the program offers access to more than 33 degree programs and certifications.

https://blackchronicle.com/national/earn-an-hbcu-degree-online-with-new-ehbcu-initiative/

WCB PEI adds three new free online certificate courses to support workplaces - OHS Canada

Prince Edward Island’s Workers Compensation Board (WCB) continues to expand its free online learning options with the launch of three additional online certificate courses designed for the province’s workers and employers. The new courses – employer incident investigations, occupational health and safety (OHS) essentials, and psychological health and safety – are available anytime, anywhere through the WCB website. “Our online courses are built to be practical, easy to follow, and directly relevant to PEI workplaces,” said Danny Miller, the WCB’s director of occupational health and safety. “Whether you’re a worker looking to build knowledge or an employer strengthening their safety program, these courses are a simple way to learn and apply key concepts. Since we launched our online certificates in May 2024, 2,034 people have registered and 1,385 completion certificates have been delivered.” All online certificate courses are self-paced and tailored to PEI workplaces, with content aligned to provincial legislation. Participants receive a WCB completion certificate once they finish a course. Courses can be taken as standalone learning opportunities, or incorporated into a worker’s onboarding, a joint health and safety committee plan, or a broader workplace safety program.

https://www.ohscanada.com/wcb-pei-adds-three-new-free-online-certificate-courses-to-support-workplaces/

Leaked plan proposes 10,000-student virtual school - Yael Rasonik, Queens University Journal

The document proposes that 10,000 students would attend this completely virtual school, which would offer micro-credentials and other “life-long learning opportunities.” A report outlining the alignment between the Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (AHSS) and the Bicentennial Vision clarifies that the development of such a school isn’t explicit in the Bicentennial Vision as to allow for “operational flexibility in the context of implementing this goal.” In an interview Principal and Vice-Chancellor Patrick Deane gave The Journal last week, he explained the idea for SPACE first emerged in 2024, out of a recognition that the University needed additional means of generating revenue in order to supplement its full credit offerings, and that lifelong learning was becoming an increasingly popular social trend.

https://www.queensjournal.ca/leaked-plan-proposes-10000-student-virtual-school/

Coursera, Udemy Merger to Boost Online AI Education - Greg Hart, Bloomberg Businessweek Daily

Greg Hart, President and CEO of Coursera, joins Bloomberg Businessweek Daily to discuss the firm's plans to merge with fellow online learning platform Udemy. Hart says he will remain CEO of the newly merged company as it continues to focus on providing AI-focused training tools and courses for its customers. He speaks with Carol Massar and Tim Stenovec.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/2026-02-07/coursera-udemy-merger-to-boost-online-ai-education-video

Online learning offered for Indigenous languages - Maggie Macintosh, Winnepeg Free Press

Inner-city students and their families are getting more options and flexibility to study Indigenous languages. The Winnipeg School Division is testing out a new model to reach more residents with its free evening classes this winter. “After COVID, we said, ‘If teaching online worked, why not try this?’” said Rob Riel, assistant superintendent of Indigenous education. “We’re finally getting around to it.” Indigenous language teachers have moved around to different schools in the past to run a series of beginner, in-person lessons for community members of all kinds. This term, live lessons — both in Ininiw (Cree) and Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwa) — will be broadcast to schools and anyone who wants to tune in from home.

https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2026/02/07/online-learning-offered-for-indigenous-languages

Online learning program allows inmates to earn certificate - Natalie Sopyla, Spectrum News 1

Just a few months ago, Jordan Richmond was an inmate at the Dane County Jail. “I had some unfortunate circumstances where I made bad choices,” Richmond said. He vowed to turn his life around. That’s what he’s continuing to do now that he’s out and living in transitional housing. Richmond was among one of the first seven people at the Dane County Jail to complete an online learning program known as eCornell. “I went back to class after I got out of jail,” Richmond said. “That's how much I enjoyed the program and how important it was to me.” Cornell University is the ivy league school behind eCornell. It offers more than 200 online certificate programs in things like Human Resources, Accounting and Food and Beverage Management.

https://spectrumnews1.com/wi/milwaukee/news/2026/01/22/online-learning-program-allows-inmates-to-earn-certificate

Stand Out in the Job Hunt With These No-Cost Certificates - UC Denver

While Leo Dixon was working on his doctoral degree, he thought he might need a way to stand out. So, he decided to earn an artificial intelligence (AI) credential on top of his diploma. It gave him an edge over other candidates vying for the same positions as him. “As soon as I got that, doors started flying open, because it was something more than what someone else had,” Dixon said. Now, as an instructor in the Department of Information Systems at the CU Denver Business School, he wants his students to have the same advantage. He requires them to earn Coursera or Grow with Google certificates as part of his classes. These two platforms are both self-paced, online learning programs that help users build industry-relevant skills. Their courses cover topics ranging from working with AI to cybersecurity, project management, marketing, ecommerce, and more. Dixon encourages students to log on, poke around, and see what they think would help them—and their future careers. “

https://news.ucdenver.edu/stand-out-in-the-job-hunt-with-these-no-cost-certificates/

Redesigning the Path Forward: Higher Ed Meets Workforce Demand |The Evolution - Kristin Bouchard and Mark Bernhard, U Wisconsin Green Bay

The disconnect between workforce needs and educational supply has reached a crisis point. In 2025, 87% of executives reported experiencing workforce skill shortages (University of Minnesota CCAPS, 2025), while Georgetown University research reveals that credential providers must double their output in many metropolitan areas to satisfy demand for high-paying middle-skills jobs (Weissman, 2024a, 2024b). Alternative credentials have emerged as a powerful solution to this gap. Institutions have rapidly embraced microcredentials, with adoption rising from 63% in 2022 to 84% by 2024 (Coffey, 2024). Sub-baccalaureate certificates have grown 89% since 2000 (Crockett et al., 2024), and the continuing education market, valued at $67 billion in 2024, is projected to reach $96 billion by 2030 (CE App, 2025).

https://news.uwgb.edu/phlash/mediacoverage/02/02/redesigning-the-path-forward-higher-ed-meets-workforce-demand-the-evolution/

Wyoming 4-H Offers Online Training and Networking Opportunities for Volunteers - Sheridan Media

The University of Wyoming Extension has organized a series of interactive online trainings for new and returning 4-H volunteers. The training series, which kicked off in December, provides continuing education opportunities and allows volunteers across the state to connect with their peers. “These Zoom trainings can help [volunteers] get more up-to-date, research-based information and ideas as well as connect with other volunteers,” says Tiera Bevilacqua, UW Extension’s volunteer development specialist and organizer of the new trainings. “We’re all spread out, so it’s an opportunity to chat with each other.” For current volunteers, participation in the upcoming sessions can be used to fulfill five-year training requirements.

https://sheridanmedia.com/news/219266/wyoming-4-h-offers-online-training-and-networking-opportunities-for-volunteers/

The Skills Mismatch Economy: Insights from the Wharton-Accenture Skills Index - Knowledge at Wharton

AI is accelerating the shift from a role-based labor market to a skills-based economy, sharpening the relevance of the gap between what workers signal and what employers actually reward. To bring clarity to this transition, Wharton and Accenture developed the Wharton-Accenture Skills Index (WAsX), a recurring, empirical benchmark designed to measure which skills matter, which do not and how quickly the economy is shifting beneath us.

https://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/special-report/2025-wharton-accenture-skills-gap-index/

HIGH PRAIRIE SCHOOL DIVISION Expands Student Pathways Through Micro-Credentials and Collegiate Model - Education News Canada

District Principal of Collegiate Planning and Special Projects Brennan McDonald presented an update at HPSD's Board Meeting on January 20, 2025. Alberta Education approved HPSD's application to become a Collegiate School in June 2025. Since approval, the Division has expanded post-secondary partnerships and micro-credential opportunities aligned with Career and Technology Studies (CTS) pathways.HPSD currently partners with Saskatchewan Polytechnic, Olds College, Northwestern Polytechnic, NorQuest College, and Portage College, while actively exploring additional partnerships. Micro-credentials are short, focused courses that allow students to develop specific, job-ready skills aligned with industry and post-secondary expectations. As students complete micro-credential courses, they earn digital badges that can be added to résumés to demonstrate skills to employers and post-secondary institutions. Many micro-credentials also carry high school credits.

https://educationnewscanada.com/article/education/level/k12/3/1182296/hpsd-expands-student-pathways-through-micro-credentials-and-collegiate-model.html

IT Job Scene Bad: Zoho Founder Warns Students Eyeing Foreign Education Amid Layoffs - NDTV Profit Desk

He underscored his belief that young people should not be trapped in debt under the guise of education. Instead, Vembu advocates for industry-driven solutions, such as companies funding training programmes and recognising alternative credentials beyond traditional degrees. "The only smart course is for prospective employers to fund training programs and for the industry to broadly accept such alternative credentials rather than ask for formal degrees," he stated. He further stressed the importance of skill development, stating, "The best investment we make as a company is in training and skill development. I hope companies do this widely, so we don't strand young people in debt."

https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/world/it-job-scene-bad-zoho-founder-warns-students-eyeing-foreign-education-amid-layoffs/ar-AA1JTh0e

As Wisconsin’s population ages, UW-Green Bay offers hundreds of courses for older adults - Beatrice Lawrence, WPR

As a retired family doctor, 76-year-old Norm Schroeder knows a thing or two about how to live a healthy life. That’s why, for the last eight years, he’s been keeping his mind and body active by taking classes through the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay’s Lifelong Learning Institute. And he’s been encouraging others his age to do the same. “(It’s) good for our brain health because there’s cognitive stimulation in the classes where you either can learn new things, or relearn things that you’ve forgotten many years ago,” Schroeder told WPR’s “Wisconsin Today.” “And for our physical health, we even have classes in line dancing, nature hikes and bicycling. I can cover all those bases.”

https://www.wpr.org/news/uw-green-bay-lifelong-learning-institute-older-adults-students