Microcredentials far from maturity, Educause poll finds - EdScoop

Non-degree credentials and certificates have been offered by colleges for years, but few programs are well-established, a survey found. While non-degree credentials and certificates have been offered across higher education for years, those programs frequently are not well-established, the poll found. Only 9% of respondents indicated that their institution has a mature microcredential program, while 19% said their institution did not offer any microcredentials at all and 4% said they didn’t know about any microcredentialing at their institution. A majority of respondents, 69%, indicated they are in the early stages of launching or expanding microcredential programs.

https://edscoop.com/microcredentials-far-from-maturity-educause-poll-finds/

UNO’s New Microcredentials Offer Rapid Upskilling to Meet Top Workforce Needs - University of Nebraska Omaha

New short-form course offerings from the University of Nebraska at Omaha will provide learners of all ages and from all industries with opportunities to learn in-demand skills and fill critical workforce gaps in a short amount of time.Beginning in Fall 2023, UNO will begin to offer microcredential programs. These flexible, affordable, and accessible new course offerings enable learners to increase their knowledge of in-demand skills through short-form non-credit courses.

https://www.unomaha.edu/news/2023/07/microcredentials-offer-rapid-upskilling.php

Micro-credentials: Empowering Filipinos for the future of work Noemi Lardizabal-Dado - Noemi Lardizabal-Dado, Manila Times

In an evolving tech landscape, micro-credentials are proving to be instrumental for upskilling and reskilling. Micro-credentials are skill-centric certifications aimed at helping learners enhance their proficiency across various knowledge domains. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. emphasized the value of micro-credentials for Filipino workers to stay competitive in a meeting with members of the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) last year. "It's not a four-year course. It's not a degree. But you can present this to qualify for a job," said President Marcos. He emphasized the need to provide retraining and reskilling opportunities for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) intending to return to the country.

https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/07/23/business/sunday-business-it/micro-credentials-empowering-filipinos-for-the-future-of-work/1901821

Free college in Colorado? It’s covered if you’re interested in teaching, firefighting, law enforcement, construction or forestry - Jenny Brundin, Colorado Public Radio

Colorado has such dire workforce shortages in early childhood education, education, firefighting, law enforcement, construction and forestry that if you want a job in those fields, the state will pay for your college education to get a job. Gov. Jared Polis officially launched the program “Career Advance Colorado” on Tuesday. It will provide tuition, fees and course materials to students on those specific career training paths. “We’re excited to save Coloradans money and train people for good-paying jobs by offering free community college education for in-demand positions at the state’s 19 community and technical colleges,” Polis said.

https://www.cpr.org/2023/07/18/colorado-free-college-career-advance-program/

Recruiters Say Alternative Credentials Can Land You a Job, But Validating Them is a Challenge - Business Wire

As college degrees become more expensive and post-grad salaries stagnate, job seekers are turning to more affordable options such as coding bootcamps and certification programs. According to Capterra’s 2023 Alternative Credentials survey of 300 recruiters, 96% of them say they’ve had at least one applicant submit a resume with an alternative credential in the past year. “Dropping inequitable college degree requirements on job openings and recognizing the value certificates, digital badges, or other alternative credentials can bring to an organization are a great start.” However, as the demand for alternative credentials surges, recruiters also face a significant challenge in validating their authenticity and relevance for specific jobs. A significant 43% of recruiters say they sometimes or always don’t recognize an alternative credit when it appears on a resume, and 71% agree that evaluating the quality of alternative credentials is harder than assessing a college degree.

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230720298505/en/Recruiters-Say-Alternative-Credentials-Can-Land-You-a-Job-But-Validating-Them-is-a-Challenge

NNSA to award $2.17 million for new apprenticeship programs - National Nuclear Security Administration

“Across the NSE, we see a need for a greater number of skilled trade workers. Training in these areas is increasingly limited; therefore, the ACCESS program is working to develop training programs to fill the gaps,” said Dr. Kevin Greenaugh, Chief Science and Technology Officer, Office of Defense Programs. Hardinge, Inc., Elmira, NY, will receive $978,053, for the project Level Up @ Hardinge, which will recruit and train apprentices in advanced manufacturing for the workforces at Los Alamos National Laboratory, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Kansas City National Security Campus, and Y-12 National Security Site. 

https://www.energy.gov/nnsa/articles/nnsa-award-217-million-new-apprenticeship-programs#:~:text=WASHINGTON%20%E2%80%93%20The%20U.S.%20Department%20of,emerging%20technician%20positions%20throughout%20its

7 Questions on Experiential Learning at Indiana U - Rhea Kelly, Campus Technology

I started with reading a lot of books about advertising and how it works and all that stuff, but as I taught more and more, I gradually realized that the best thing is to just have the students do some advertising. That allowed me to not have to figure out in advance how I'm going to teach every single thing, but rather make corrections or adjustments as we go along. If you're a good teacher, you can pay attention to what people need, at what time they need it, and go into it and help them. So experiential learning is a big part of how I teach. I'm always looking for projects that have some meat and gravitas to them.

https://campustechnology.com/articles/2023/07/19/7-questions-on-experiential-learning-at-indiana-u.aspx?s=ct_le_190723&oly_enc_id=2450C6053234D5W

Micro-credentials now available for New Hampshire educators - IndepthNH

Continuing with its efforts to build literacy knowledge, the New Hampshire Department of Education (NHED) is pleased to partner with Credentials Unlimited to provide educators with the opportunity to earn valuable micro-credentials focused on the Science of Reading. Through this collaboration, NHED aims to empower educators with the knowledge and skills to implement evidence-based reading practices in their classrooms. By earning a micro-credential in the Science of Reading, educators can enhance their professional growth, improve their teaching technique and ultimately make a profound impact on their students’ literacy development.

https://indepthnh.org/2023/07/17/micro-credentials-now-available-for-new-hampshire-educators/

What Are Microcredentials And Why Should You Care? - Frederick Hess, Forbes

If you pay much attention to higher education or workforce training, odds are you’ve seen excited talk about the promise of microcredentials. Earlier this year, a survey of employers reported that 95 percent think it’s a good thing if their employees are earning microcredentials. More than 70 percent said that microcredentials have helped their organization fill skills gaps, that they’ve helped improve their workforce quality, and that their organization is increasingly more willing to consider these types of credentials in lieu of four-year degrees. At the same time, the survey conducted by Collegis Education and UPCEA (the association for college leaders in continuing education) raised some cautions. Seventeen percent of employers said they were concerned about irrelevant credentials and a lack of critical training, and 12 percent expressed worry about the quality of the education provided.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/frederickhess/2023/07/11/what-are-microcredentials-and-why-should-you-care/?sh=7d99797825ed

Supporting Internship Experience With Pay - Ashley Mowreader, Inside Higher Ed

To offset expenses and provide students with equitable access to internships, Emory University in Georgia has joined the growing number of institutions developing solutions to the issue. The Pathways Internship Funding program, launched this summer, provides students with financial aid and support their career pursuits. “Our goal is to allow students to say yes to their dream internship even if it is unpaid or underpaid,” says Ed Goode, director of experiential learning at Emory’s Pathways Center, adding that he and his staff strongly recommend to employers that they pay their interns.

https://www.insidehighered.com/news/student-success/life-after-college/2023/07/19/private-funding-covers-internship-expenses-emory

Micro-credentials: a perspective from Europe - FE News

A CEDEFOP conference, 22 – 23 June surveyed the present state of Micro-credentials across Europe. Led by Anastasia Pouliou (CEDEFOP expert in qualifications, credentials and the future of VET) the conference looked at how Micro-credentials can improve skills utilisation and career development, and build stronger links with workplace requirements. Anastasia makes the point that designing a Micro-credential requires careful and precise articulation of learning outcomes. Some sessions in the conference engaged in the sterile debate on how micro-credentials should relate to national systems, and whether credits could be assigned tariffs, aligned with existing qualifications, and so become transferable. This sounds like the assessment bureaucracy trying to get their hands on a movement which is essentially local, spontaneous, and indeed potentially subversive. 

https://www.fenews.co.uk/exclusive/micro-credentials-a-perspective-from-europe/

Ministers Harris and Coveney launch Microcreds.ie platform to boost upskilling and reskilling in Ireland - Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment;

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Simon Coveney today launched a new platform to assist people seeking to upskill and reskill. Over 300 short, flexible and accredited courses are available through the platform from seven institutions to address skills needs of industry. The MicroCreds project is €12.5 million and aims to reimagine the learner’s education experience through agile, accessible and bite-sized qualifications.

https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/e25fb-ministers-harris-and-coveney-launch-microcredsie-platform-to-boost-upskilling-and-reskilling-in-ireland/

Making Micro-credentials Meaningful and Accessible - PR Newswire

From D2L Fusion’s Executive Summit, D2L, a global learning technology company, today released a new research report, Enabling Learning for Life: New Realities for Work and Education, showing that American workers are struggling to locate relevant micro-credential programs—and often don’t understand how they relate to career advancement. The study indicates that American workers want to learn but continuous upskilling is still not the norm, despite its critical importance in economic environment of accelerating technological change.

https://www.fox28spokane.com/making-micro-credentials-meaningful-and-accessible/

Making Micro-credentials Meaningful and Accessible - D2L

From D2L Fusion's Executive Summit, D2L, a global learning technology company, today released a new research report, Enabling Learning for Life: New Realities for Work and Education, showing that American workers are struggling to locate relevant micro-credential programs—and often don't understand how they relate to career advancement. The study indicates that American workers want to learn but continuous upskilling is still not the norm, despite its critical importance in economic environment of accelerating technological change.

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/making-micro-credentials-meaningful-and-accessible-301874230.html

Advancing Microcredentials: Communicating Potential to Learners, Partners and Stakeholders - Cynthia Proctor, the Evolllution

With growing awareness and understanding of the value of short-term credentials, the remaining roadblocks standing in the way of microcredential program growth become clearer, and each day we progress in meeting challenges and exploring opportunities—with a driving focus on effective communication. As we move forward in the 2023-24 academic year, the State University of New York’s (SUNY) system-wide directory will grow to nearly 600 microcredentials with 51 of 64 campuses engaged—including community colleges, technology colleges, comprehensive colleges and doctoral institutions (from R1 research universities to medical centers).

https://evolllution.com/programming/credentials/advancing-microcredentials-communicating-potential-to-learners-partners-and-stakeholders/

Microcredentialing: A Win-Win-Win for Businesses, Students and Educational Institutions - Alicia Dickens, the Evolllution

The thunderous plea from business and industry constituents to address the growing talent shortage has compelled many institutions to re-evaluate the alignment of their current academic practices. This evaluation has resulted in the reexamination of many new and existing approaches such as microcredentials. Microcredentials are not new to academia; however, broad and cross-institution integration may be considered new or certainly rare. If asked, institutional personnel will agree that microcredentials have value in the workplace.

https://evolllution.com/programming/credentials/microcredentialing-a-win-win-win-for-businesses-students-and-educational-institutions/

Michigan State University Extension offers zoning board of appeals training - The Daily Telegram

Online, self-paced training courses are available for members of local government zoning boards of appeals (ZBA), local government managers and attorneys, and local government staff. Michigan State University Extension is offering its ZBA Online Certificate Course which teaches government officials the latest concepts on ZBA roles and responsibilities, effective decision making and protecting due process.

https://www.lenconnect.com/story/news/education/2023/07/09/michigan-state-university-extension-zoning-board-of-appeals-training/70392388007/

Adapting Education: Harnessing the Power of Microcredentials - Jon Harbor, Illumination Modern Campus

There’s a growing recognition that microcredentials are crucial for enhancing employability. This requires an adjustment to the post-secondary education model to emphasize the modular and flexible microcredentials that meet modern learners' specific career goals and market needs. On this episode, Jon Harbor, Provost of Purdue University Global, discusses the recognition of the value in short-term credentials that speak to the needs of modern learners, and the interplay between microcredentials and the traditional programming of a university.

https://moderncampus.com/podcast/episode-onehundredseven.html

E-learning courses are transforming our way of learning - World Health Organization

WHO launched two new e-courses on national strategic planning for TB and systematic screening for TB disease at this week’s meeting of its Strategic and Technical Advisory Group (STAG-TB). The new WHO e-courses have been added to the End TB Channel in OpenWHO. Please register for these WHO courses that are designed to facilitate the uptake of latest WHO TB related guidelines and guidance documents. Using latest adult learning principles, the courses consist of a combination of videos, presentations, quizzes and case studies and build on information provided in WHO operational handbooks on TB and other WHO guidance documents. They are free of charge and can be taken at your own pace. A certificate can be downloaded if you achieve a 80% score or higher in the final assessment.

https://www.who.int/news/item/06-07-2023-e-learning-courses-are-transforming-our-way-of-learning

Emily Carr University helps launch in-demand creative tech careers with B.C.’s new grant program - Vancouver Is Awesome

The StrongerBC future skills grant, unveiled just last month, is open to British Columbians aged 19 years or older – regardless of financial need – and provides up to $3,500 per person for eligible short-term skills training at public post-secondary institutions. ECU’s micro-credential programs, offered through Continuing Studies, are included in this grant program, which means learners can apply to take eligible courses with financial support. Micro-credentials are short-term courses and programs designed to help students develop focused, job-ready skills for in-demand positions in growing industries like tech, housing, construction, and clean energy.

https://www.vancouverisawesome.com/sponsored/emily-carr-university-helps-launch-in-demand-creative-tech-careers-7214297

Here’s why the Education Department’s proposed financial transparency website has higher ed worried - Lilah Burke, Higher Ed Dive

The U.S. Department of Education’s proposed gainful employment regulations have the potential to significantly change the higher education landscape. Career education programs that leave graduates with poor earnings or unmanageable debt would risk losing access to federal financial aid under the new rules. But those requirements would only apply to certificate programs and programs at for-profit colleges. The department has proposed other, more wide-ranging regulations to apply to nearly all college programs. 

https://www.highereddive.com/news/gainful-employment-disclosure-website-regulations-biden/654378/

Online learning to support workers handling packaged gases - Paul Pflieger, Gas World

For over 110 years, CGA has been at the forefront of developing safety standards that reflect industry best practices for handling industrial, medical, and food gases. Now, we have gathered up our knowhow to share in e-learning lessons that provide a safety roadmap for employees that are working with packaged gases. It is a format that really works, being accessible, engaging, and results-driven. Here’s a run-down of why we’ve taken this approach, as well as a look at the packaged gas-related modules.

https://www.gasworld.com/story/online-learning-to-support-workers-handling-packaged-gases/

Microsoft unveils first professional certificate for generative AI skills - Lance Whitney, ZDnet

Microsoft has added a new type of training and certification to its lineup that taps into the latest interest and excitement around AI. Part of the company's Skills for Jobs program, the new professional certificate on Generative AI will be given to anyone who takes the free classes on AI and passes the required exam. Available through LinkedIn Learning, the Career Essentials in Generative AI program offers a free course on generative AI, a technology so named because it can generate different kinds of content. This form of AI has created a huge buzz due to such companies as OpenAI, Microsoft, and Google launching their own AI chatbots that people can use to ask questions, get information, and create content.

https://www.zdnet.com/article/microsoft-unveils-first-professional-certificate-for-generative-ai-skills/

The 2023 Emeritus Global Workplace Skills Study Finds 80% of Professionals Look to Continuing Education for Career Success - Emeritus

Emeritus announced results from its 2023 Global Workplace Skills Study, which gathered insights from 6,600 people between the ages of 21 and 65, across 18 countries and five continents, to assess how professionals are approaching learning and skill development amidst continued economic, geopolitical, and technological change. Findings show that interest and investment in pursuing continuing education continues to rise globally, with significant uptick in the last year. 80% believe that upskilling will help them stand out in the job market and 74% would choose a job at an organization that invested in their education over one that did not.

https://emeritus.org/newsroom/the-2023-emeritus-global-workplace-skills-study-finds-80-of-professionals-look-to-continuing-education-for-career-success/

Education Interrupted? Learners who dropped out during Covid look at online learning to complete their degree: Report - Times of India

Online learners express strong interest in alternatives to full degree programs. Two-thirds of respondents said they are open to pursuing quicker, more affordable, non-traditional degree programs such as trade skill certificates, industry certifications and non-credit certificates in place of college degrees, and most (83%) of these learners would remain interested even if financial aid wasn’t available for them.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/education/news/education-interrupted-learners-who-dropped-out-during-covid-look-at-online-learning-to-complete-their-degree-report/articleshow/101344259.cms

Executive Education Grads Learn the Power of Upskilling - Cnxtoday

Microcredentials certify the learning outcomes of short-term learning experiences. They offer a flexible, targeted way to help people develop the knowledge, skills, and competences they need for their personal and professional development. According to the World Economic Forum’s most recent Future of Jobs Report, 61 percent of workers will require retraining between now and 2027, further validating the need for these types of specialized, skills-focused training programs.

https://cnxtoday.com/executive-education-graduates/education-news-updates/

The revolution in bite-sized education courses that’s boosting careers - Julie Hare, Financial Review

One thing about the future of higher education that is not in dispute is that it is being disrupted. A revolution is under way in how education is being created, delivered and consumed. And a lot of it is happening outside the ivy walls of traditional universities. Traditional qualifications are being supplemented – some say supplanted – by tiny, bite-sized, skill-specific offerings called microcredentials.

https://www.afr.com/work-and-careers/education/the-revolution-in-bite-sized-education-courses-that-s-boosting-careers-20230531-p5dcr9

Education Levels Nationally - Lumina Foundation

A strong economy benefiting every American requires at least 60 percent of adults to have college degrees or other credentials of value. To realize this level of education, business, community, education, and government leaders must rethink and restructure education and training systems. Over time, colleges and universities and training providers have created exceptional opportunities for some individuals and groups while failing to offer real opportunity for economic opportunity and social mobility to others–many of whom are Black, Hispanic, Latino, and Native American. Economic shifts, technological advancements, and demographic changes are among reasons American leaders and society must do better.

https://www.luminafoundation.org/topics/todays-students/education-levels/

Intercultural competence, micro-credentials, reflection critical in career readiness - Maureen Manning, the PIE News

As such, third-party skills verification is required in certain internships, such as in healthcare and mechanics, to ensure students have appropriate skills and competencies in that field before they engage in the work.However, some employers indicated while students may be proficient in the technical skills required for employment, many in the “pandemic generation” of students are lacking in the “soft skills” that are equally necessary in the workplace such as communication, working in teams and business etiquette.

https://thepienews.com/news/intercultural-competence-micro-credentials-reflection-critical-in-career-readiness/

Certificate in Open Education Librarianship - University of Minnesota

The Certificate in Open Education Librarianship is a structured and supportive professional development opportunity preparing librarians like you to champion open education. Guided by our expert mentors, you’ll hone critical skills, gain insight, and transform your librarianship into a catalyst for open education, all while working within a collaborative cohort of your peers. More than 200 higher education librarians throughout the U.S. have earned our certificate, building proficiency and confidence.

https://open.umn.edu/oen/certificate-in-open-education-librarianship

Coursera's Education Forum discusses the transformative role of micro-credentials in shaping UAE's job market

With a strong market and rising foreign direct investment, the UAE job market is set to boom in the coming years. Companies are actively seeking top talent, and the qualification benchmark for recruitment is rapidly changing. Entry-level candidates are now expected to have job-relevant skills and hands-on experience. Coursera's recent study further supports this trend, revealing that 77% of employers believe a Professional Certificate would enhance a candidate's job application.

https://www.zawya.com/en/press-release/events-and-conferences/courseras-education-forum-discusses-the-transformative-role-of-micro-credentials-in-shaping-uaes-job-market-hmr5ct0b

Employees seek a competitive edge with micro-credentials - Kaleah Salmon, Channel Life

According to research from D2L, more employees seek to gain a competitive edge by upskilling with micro-credentials. These findings are revealed as economic growth continues to slow, and the RBA forecasts the unemployment rate will gradually increase to over 4% by mid-2025. Micro-credentials are defined as a bite-sized approach to acquiring knowledge and skills, described as the building blocks of learning.  They offer a targeted, modular and structured way for employees to learn new skills or proficiency in a specific area rapidly. Micro-credentials can also show that a learner has tangibly improved rather than simply attended class.  

https://channellife.co.nz/story/employees-seek-a-competitive-edge-with-micro-credentials