92% of US employers willing to offer higher starting salaries to graduates with micro-credentials - Business Wire

New Coursera report highlights growing ROI on industry micro-credentials for learners, employees, and employers

79% of US employers say micro-credential holders demonstrate improved productivity in their first year

85% of US graduates with micro-credentials report securing a role aligned to their field within 12 months

“Over the next decade, over 1.2 billion people are due to enter the global workforce, while 60% of the world’s existing workforce will also require reskilling,” said Marni Baker Stein, Chief Content Officer, Coursera. “This report provides clear evidence that job-relevant industry micro-credentials are helping to meet an unprecedented demand for skills, and providing tangible ROI for students, employers, and universities that offer them.”

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260604586976/en/92-of-US-employers-willing-to-offer-higher-starting-salaries-to-graduates-with-micro-credentials

Are Microcredentials Worth It? These Newly Accreditor-Backed Ones Might Be. - Evan Costillo, Best Colleges

Employers are increasingly valuing microcredentials — short programs that display your proficiency — in skill-based hiring, and accreditors are launching new initiatives to endorse these programs. The Higher Learning Commission, a leading accreditor, endorsed four businesses offering short-term programs, including microcredentials. A 2023 survey found that most MicroMaster programs, a type of microcredential that can lead to a master’s degree, cost between $200-$4,700 each. If you want to stack microcredentials, you may have to pay for multiple programs.

https://www.bestcolleges.com/research/are-microcredentials-worth-it/

Reintroduction of Micro-credential Learner Fee Subsidy welcomed by universities body - Engineers Ireland

The subsidy will support participation in 57 micro-credential courses offered by IUA universities this year, spanning areas of national importance including digital transformation, artificial intelligence, sustainability, leadership, innovation, healthcare, engineering and business development.  These courses build on the IUA-led MicroCreds initiative, which supported more than 20,000 learners to upskill and reskill via more than 600 micro-credential courses across the seven IUA universities.   

https://www.engineersireland.ie/News/reintroduction-of-micro-credential-learner-fee-subsidy-welcomed-by-universities-body

AI Raises the Stakes for College Internships - Abby Sourwirne, GovTech

Internship postings on Handshake, a career networking site for college students and graduates, declined by more than 15 percent between January 2023 and January 2025, while the share of graduating students who applied to at least one internship rose from 34 percent to 41 percent. Yet even as internships grow harder to find, they're also becoming more important. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, internship experience with an employer’s organization or industry is among the most influential factors when employers choose between otherwise equally qualified candidates.Some colleges and universities are meeting this problem by providing credits for work experience, revamping on-campus work opportunities or directly partnering with local employers. If they don't, some workforce and higher-education experts warn, students will be left behind.

https://www.govtech.com/education/higher-ed/ai-raises-the-stakes-for-college-internships

Stackable Micro-Credentials: The Revenue Multiplier Enterprises Actually Buy - AI Certs

Enterprises are moving away from broad, slow degrees and generic upskilling programs. Instead, they are rapidly shifting to modular, skill-specific training. Stackable micro-credentials group together narrow, job-focused skills to create clear, targeted career pathways. This blog shows strategy allows businesses to close immediate talent gaps while increasing internal revenue, creating a highly efficient path to rapid software and technological adoption. Many businesses waste millions of dollars on broad, generic training programs. Workers sit through long, general classes but return to their desks without knowing how to use tools for their specific daily jobs. This lack of clear utility creates a major business bottleneck, especially as companies push to adopt complex software systems. 

https://www.aicerts.ai/blog/stackable-micro-credentials-the-revenue-multiplier-enterprises-actually-buy/

Sri Lanka to introduce national micro-credentials framework - Education Times

The government is to introduce a National Micro-Credentials Framework that will apply to the education, higher education and vocational education sectors. Micro-credentials are short, flexible and verifiable learning certifications that prove mastery of specific skills or competencies. Unlike traditional degrees, they focus on narrow, in demand topics, allowing professionals to upskill or reskill quickly without the time or financial commitment of a full degree programme. “Currently, we are formulating a micro-credential framework. We believe we can implement this scheme within this year,” Deputy Education Minister Madhura Senevirathna said.

https://www.sundaytimes.lk/260531/education/sri-lanka-to-introduce-national-micro-credentials-framework-643987.html

Rural Opportunity,Through Apprenticeship - Sara Weissman, Inside Higher Ed

Howard isn’t originally from Exeter, a town of roughly 700 people, but she grew up on her family’s cattle farm in a similarly rural area just a half hour away. Over her years in school, she was diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and dyslexia, and she struggled to get the support she needed. Now, she’s training to teach kids like her through Pathways for Paraprofessionals, a registered apprenticeship program sponsored by Missouri State University. The apprenticeship advances paraprofessionals like Howard, who are already assisting high-needs students in Missouri classrooms, toward bachelor’s or master’s degrees in special education through on-the-job training and coursework. Apprentices also work toward their teaching certifications. While the program doesn’t exclusively train rural teachers, it’s explicitly designed for them, with all classes taught online by Missouri State professors or virtually or in-person in local school districts by K–12 teachers and administrators. Fundamental to the earn-and-learn apprenticeship model, paraprofessionals continue to work full-time during their training.

https://www.insidehighered.com/news/tech-innovation/alternative-credentials/2026/05/26/rural-opportunity-through-apprenticeship

Free course empowers people with disabilities - McPherson Media Group, Shepparton News

The world‑first program, delivered by Collaborating 4 Inclusion and The University of Sydney, supports inclusive, practical and person‑centred emergency preparedness. It was co-designed by people with a disability and focuses on emergency preparedness for individuals and groups. The training consists of six self-paced online modules completed over five weeks, which include reading, videos and activities, with the opportunity to connect with others through the P‑CEP learning community. Greater Shepparton City Council emergency management and resilience manager Belinda Conna said the course was a great opportunity for at-risk groups in the community to access practical and inclusive information.

https://www.sheppnews.com.au/news/free-course-empowers-people-with-disabilities/

IMA Introduces Micro-credentials to Help Finance Professionals Build Practical, Future-Ready Skills - Redaksi, IndoVizka

IMA (Institute of Management Accountants) announces the availability of its micro-credential offerings, a series of specialized programs designed to help finance teams and professionals build practical, career-ready skills for a rapidly changing business environment. As geopolitical uncertainty, economic volatility, and rapid technological acceleration reshape the business environment, finance professionals are being asked to do more than report on what already happened. They are increasingly expected to deliver sharper analysis, stronger insights, and strategic judgment that organizations need to navigate uncertainty. IMA’s micro-credentials respond to that need with focused learning pathways that help professionals build high-demand skills they can apply in real time. They also give employers a scalable way to strengthen talent across their organizations and support more consistent capability development across teams.

https://indovizka.com/news/detail/21002/ima-introduces-microcredentials-to-help-finance-professionals-build-practical-futureready-skills#google_vignette

Why Professional Development Matters for Museum Professionals - Manuel Charr, Museum Next

Museums are at a crossroads. Visitor expectations are changing, digital transformation is reshaping how collections are shared, and conversations around inclusion, decolonisation, and community engagement are redefining what museums are for. In this environment, professional development isn’t a nice-to-have for museum professionals — it’s essential. Whether you’re a curator, educator, collections manager, digital lead, or in museum leadership, continuing to learn is one of the most powerful things you can do for your career, your team, and the communities you serve. This article explores what professional development means for people working in museums, why it matters, and how to make the most of the opportunities available to you.

https://www.museumnext.com/article/why-professional-development-matters-for-museum-professionals/

IMA Introduces Micro-credentials to Help Finance Professionals Build Practical, Future-Ready Skills - Institute of Management Accountants

IMA® (Institute of Management Accountants) announces the availability of its micro-credential offerings, a series of specialized programs designed to help finance teams and professionals build practical, career-ready skills for a rapidly changing business environment. As geopolitical uncertainty, economic volatility, and rapid technological acceleration reshape the business environment, finance professionals are being asked to do more than report on what already happened. They are increasingly expected to deliver sharper analysis, stronger insights, and strategic judgment that organizations need to navigate uncertainty. IMA’s micro-credentials respond to that need with focused learning pathways that help professionals build high-demand skills they can apply in real time. They also give employers a scalable way to strengthen talent across their organizations and support more consistent capability development across teams.

https://finance.yahoo.com/sectors/technology/articles/ima-introduces-micro-credentials-help-133000738.html

From India to FIU to Google Intern Science & Technology - Adrienne Sylver, FIU

When Mridul Pahwa received FIU’s Presidential Merit Scholarship in 2023, it was enough to propel the university to the top of his college dream list. But it was a fortuitous conversation with a stranger — an FIU alumnus from his hometown of Indore, India — that closed the deal and made FIU his academic destination of choice. “A mutual friend connected the two of us and when we talked, he told me wonderful things about the computer science program and the faculty at FIU,” Pahwa says. “FIU had a great reputation in computer science and AI, and what he told me, coupled with the scholarship, made my decision an easy one.” Still, nothing could prepare Pahwa, an only child whose mother is a teacher and whose father owns a furniture and carpentry business in India, for his first journey out of the country. When he landed at Miami International Airport in August of 2023 without a SIM card, he couldn’t even order an Uber. After rejecting an expensive taxi ride, he reached out to a student from an FIU group chat, requesting help from someone he’d never met.

https://news.fiu.edu/2026/from-india-to-fiu-presidential-scholar-to-google-intern

Rethinking student success through mental well-being - Massey University

Research from PhD graduate Dr Idham Rocklen indicates student success is influenced as much by mental well-being, as intelligence and effort. For his research Dr Rocklen focused on accounting students, who often face high-pressure academic environments. He explored how both the positive and challenging aspects of mental well-being can influence students’ academic performance, engagement and overall university experience. Dr Rocklen found that almost 80 per cent sit somewhere between thriving and struggling, suggesting many students are managing, but not necessarily flourishing. His findings challenge the common assumption that students experiencing anxiety or depression are inevitably disengaged or underperforming. Dr Rocklen says understanding well-being as a balance, rather than simply the presence or absence of challenges, is key to improving student outcomes.

https://www.massey.ac.nz/about/news/rethinking-student-success-through-mental-well-being/

Local high school aims to make students ready for the workforce - Darren Taylor, SOO Today

A new program known as EEST - Engineering, Entrepreneurship, Science and Technology - will officially launch at the Algoma District School Board in September. Educators say the new program will not replace but improve technical learning at the board’s new ADSB Technology Centre located at White Pines Collegiate. “It’s being developed as a four-year pathway that begins in Grade 9 and builds toward deeper technical skills, applied problem solving, and real project work in senior grades. It's not simply a new course or a new label for existing tech programming,” said Jennifer Barbeau, White Pines principal in a presentation to the board at Tuesday’s meeting.

https://www.sootoday.com/local-news/local-high-school-aims-to-make-students-ready-for-the-workforce-12273847

Degree 2.0: Why schools are racing to reinvent learning for the AI era - Carl Magadia, Daily Tribune

The traditional four-year degree is no longer enough. That was the message from education executives, industry leaders, and Coursera officials as Ayala-backed iPeople and Coursera unveiled findings from the Micro-credentials Impact Report 2026: Philippines, warning that universities must rapidly adapt as artificial intelligence reshapes the global workforce. “Micro-credentials have shifted from a ‘nice-to-have’ to a hiring signal,” said Anthony Salcito, global head of enterprise at Coursera. The report found that 89 percent of Philippine employers are willing to offer higher starting salaries to graduates with micro-credentials, while students are 4.6 times more likely to pursue them when they count toward academic credit. 

https://tribune.net.ph/amp/story/2026/05/15/degree-20

PHL sees higher demand for micro-credential courses - Business World

Online learning platform Coursera said on Friday that enrollment in micro-credential courses in the Philippines is increasing rapidly, as more employers seek additional certifications and skills from workers. “Employers are actually expecting that people come in ready to work, and micro-credentials help with that,” Coursera Global Head of Enterprise Anthony Salcito told reporters during a panel interview on Friday. “A micro-credential signals that employees not only demonstrate the skill, but they’re learning throughout their life to align with the culture of work that they’re bringing in,” he added. The demand for graduates equipped with industry-aligned micro-credentials can be seen in the platform’s Micro-Credentials Impact Report 2026.

https://www.bworldonline.com/labor-and-management/2026/05/15/750038/phl-sees-higher-demand-for-micro-credential-courses/

Department of Geography Introduces New Online Certificate - Fullerton College

Fullerton College recently welcomed the new Geospatial Technologies Certificate to its curriculum. Developed by Department of Geography Professors Joseph Diminutto and Aline Gregorio, this fully online certificate teaches students the core foundation of geospatial science with the focused goal of gaining a professional, competitive edge.  Students who enroll in the four-semester certificate program learn how to think spatially and conduct data analysis with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) while developing the knowledge and fluency of data entry, management and more. 

https://news.fullcoll.edu/geography-department-introduces-new-online-certificate/

UCA College of Business launches Coursera Career Academy for students, alumni, faculty - University of Central Arkansas

The University of Central Arkansas (UCA) College of Business has announced the launch of Coursera Career Academy, a career development platform that allows current UCA business majors and alumni to complement their UCA degrees with flexible, online training at no additional cost. Coursera offers workshops, micro-credentials and professional certificates from industry giants like Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Salesforce, IBM, Meta and over 300 more partners. The online platform launched for UCA business majors, faculty and staff in spring 2026, and it is now available to College of Business alumni. In today’s competitive job market, employers are more likely to hire a graduate who has also earned a professional certificate or micro-credentials,” Dr. Tim Bisping, dean of the UCA College of Business and professor of economics, said. “We are excited to strengthen employment outcomes for our students and alumni by launching this tool at no additional cost to our college’s community.

https://uca.edu/news/uca-college-of-business-launches-coursera-career-academy-for-students-alumni-faculty/

Gaining real-world experience through internships - Massey University News

Within the Massey Business School, internship opportunities are available at 300 level, allowing students to work with organisations in areas aligned to their major. These placements give students the opportunity to take on real projects, contribute to teams and experience the pace and expectations of their chosen industry. Internships coordinator Professor Sarah Leberman says internships play an important role in helping students make the transition from study to work. “These opportunities give students the chance to apply their learning in real-world settings, build professional confidence and develop skills that employers are looking for,” Professor Leberman says. For Bachelor of Communication graduate Lara Watson, her internship offered exactly that. Lara majored in marketing, completed a 12-week internship with Tracta, an agri-marketing agency in Napier. During her internship, Lara worked on a client prospecting project, developing ideal customer profiles, learning how to use Customer Relationship Management tools and researching content topics for marketing campaigns. She also supported the team with research for upcoming work, gaining valuable insight into how an agency operates.

https://www.massey.ac.nz/about/news/gaining-real-world-experience-through-internships/

Micro-credentials gain ground as focus shifts from degrees to skills - Enterprise AM

A university degree is no longer the only ticket to a career. Employers across the globe — and increasingly in Egypt — are placing more emphasis on practical skills and targeted expertise, fueling demand for short courses, professional certifications, and micro-credentials that offer faster and cheaper avenues into the labor market. Short courses, big gains: Micro-credentials — short, skills-focused programs granting a verified certificate or digital badge — are gaining ground in fast-changing sectors like tech, digital marketing, AI, cybersecurity, and data analytics. Programs span local training from the Information Technology Institute and the Digital Egypt Pioneers Initiative (DEPI) to global options like Google Career Certificates on Coursera and Udacity Nanodegrees, iCareer founder and CEO Akram Marwan tells EnterpriseAM. The shift reflects a broader rethink of education — less a one-time university experience, more a continuous process of reskilling. As technologies evolve faster than universities can adapt, workers and employers want cheaper, targeted ways to build job-ready skills, Marwan says. Lower-cost online programs and funded initiatives like DEPI are also widening access beyond Cairo and Alexandria, potentially expanding the pool for remote and digital jobs.

https://enterpriseam.com/egypt/blackboards/micro-credentials-gain-ground-as-focus-shifts-from-degrees-to-skills/

Micro Credentials Reshaping Learning While Degrees Remain Relevant - Asia News Network

As global education systems evolve to meet rapidly changing workforce demands, micro credentials are gaining traction as a flexible complement to traditional degrees rather than a replacement, according to international policy bodies and education experts. Micro credentials, defined by the European Union as certifications of “learning outcomes of short-term learning experiences,” are designed to provide targeted, skills-based learning in a shorter timeframe. Meanwhile, UNESCO notes that micro credentials typically focus on “a specific set of learning outcomes in a narrow field” and are achieved over a shorter period compared to traditional qualifications such as degrees. The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development OECD further highlight their growing role in supporting lifelong learning and employability, particularly as individuals seek to upskill and reskill in response to labour market changes.

https://asianews.network/micro-credentials-reshaping-learning-while-degrees-remain-relevant/