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.
Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Monday, February 16, 2026
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
Sunday, February 15, 2026
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.
Saturday, February 14, 2026
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.
Friday, February 13, 2026
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.
Thursday, February 12, 2026
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.
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
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.
Tuesday, February 10, 2026
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.
Monday, February 9, 2026
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/
Sunday, February 8, 2026
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).
Saturday, February 7, 2026
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.
Friday, February 6, 2026
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.
Thursday, February 5, 2026
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.
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
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."
Tuesday, February 3, 2026
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.”
Monday, February 2, 2026
Drexel CCI Introduces Micro‑Credentials Aligned with Employer‑Driven Skills - Drexel
With the rapid transformation of technology and the jobs that support the industry, Drexel’s College of Computing & Informatics has always been committed to providing its students with an education that prepares them to meet the challenges of this ever-changing workplace. To achieve this goal, CCI works closely with industry co-op partners to ensure that the college curriculum is constantly evolving to align with employer needs. As a result, CCI has developed a new Digital Badging Program that enables students to demonstrate proficiency in specific computing and informatics skills that are now prioritized by employers. Students who succeed will be awarded a Digital Badge — a micro-credential — that can be included on resumes and presented to employers.Karen DeVose, Ed.D, Assistant Dean for Academic Advising and Student Success, noted that “digital badges transform undergraduate learning into recognizable skills that open doors to opportunity. They make learning visible, meaningful, and marketable to employers.”
Sunday, February 1, 2026
8 Surprising Degrees You Can Earn Online - Anayat Durrani, US News
With scores of options ranging from turfgrass science to professional flight, there's probably an online program for you. "Students today are looking for degrees that align with specific careers, emerging industries and real-world impact, while still offering flexibility," says Elysia Labita, executive director of portfolio strategy for EdPlus at Arizona State University. "Universities are responding by rethinking which programs should be available online, not just which ones are easiest to deliver that way."
Healthcare and tech workers are ditching degrees for quick-fire courses - Yajush Gupta, Dynamic Business
New research from Risepoint shows 26% of online learners gained salary increases after short courses, as two-thirds study in high-need sectors like healthcare and education. What’s happening: New research reveals two-thirds of online learners in Australia are studying fields facing acute talent shortages, including healthcare, education and technology. Why this matters: As Australia grapples with persistent workforce shortages across critical sectors, short-form courses and micro-credentials are emerging as a practical solution.
Saturday, January 31, 2026
Food security program to undergo review - Leander C. Domingo, Manila Times
THE midterm review of the Postgraduate Micro-Credentials for Food Security and Climate Change (PMC-FSCC) project started on Wednesday.The PMC-FSCC project is aimed at generating inputs to develop modular, flexible, and stackable micro-credential programs. Funded by the European Commission's Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education program, the review was set for April 23 to 24, 2025, at the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (Searca) headquarters in Los Baños, Laguna.
Friday, January 30, 2026
A Meta manager explains how she thinks about hiring: curiosity and constant learning matter more than a degree - Business Insider
Meta manager Cindy Tan says earning a college degree is just the bare minimum for landing a tech job. Instead, Tan says it's the micro-credentials you earn from bite-sized courses that will impress employers. "I'm not saying that we should all not do our degrees anymore. But I think there's more to it, whether that's your social experiences or being more entrepreneurial," Tan said in an interview with Business Insider last month. Tan, 47, joined Meta in 2021 and is a managing director overseeing the social media giant's clients in Asia Pacific.
Thursday, January 29, 2026
Wharton Online Launches Entrepreneurship Certificate
Wharton Online today announced the launch of its new Entrepreneurship Certificate, a fully online, self-paced credential designed to help professionals cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset, identify high-potential opportunities, and execute ideas that create real-world impact. Built around a clear three-stage learning journey – Inspiration, Identification, and Implementation – the certificate brings together Wharton faculty research and practical frameworks to demystify entrepreneurship and make it accessible to a broad range of learners. Participants may enroll in individual courses or complete all three to earn the Entrepreneurship Certificate. “Entrepreneurship is not limited to founding a startup,” said Lori Rosenkopf, vice dean of entrepreneurship at the Wharton School and academic director of the program. “It is about creating value through innovation, whether you are building something new, leading change inside an organization, acquiring and growing an existing business, or pursuing a mission-driven venture. This certificate meets learners where they are and gives them evidence-based tools to move forward with confidence.”
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