Top education leaders at the Florida Chamber of Commerce’s forum emphasized aligning post-secondary education with industry needs. Valencia College collaborates with local businesses to develop courses based on industry needs. State universities have begun focusing on micro-credentials, offering ‘digital badges’ to students who demonstrate proficiency in specific industry skills. Other institutions are integrating business feedback into curriculum design, emphasizing both industry-specific knowledge and professional “soft” skills.
Tuesday, October 31, 2023
Monday, October 30, 2023
Success after service: The veteran’s guide to choosing an online certificate program - Teresa Duncan, Cornell Chronicle
Transitioning from active duty to civilian life can lead to a profound sense of fulfillment and significant challenges. Many veterans are equipped with industry-specific service experience, but complex job markets still often present obstacles to employment. Online certificate programs offer veterans opportunities to acquire new skills and knowledge, demonstrate commitment to particular career fields and build networks of like-minded leaders – all essential factors in securing professional roles. However, selecting the right program is key. Here are four questions veterans should consider when determining which online education programs would be most valuable for their future.
Sunday, October 29, 2023
Microcredentials and badges are the future - Lee Maxey, Chief Learning Officer
Microcredentials, defined as “short, competency-based recognition,” offer agile and efficient pathways for corporations that want to train new employees or upskill current ones. “Stacked” microcredentials can be grouped to award badges, which imply a level of competency in a specific area. In some cases, microcredentials could eventually lead to certificates or even more traditional degrees. I can’t emphasize enough how different this paradigm shift is for both corporations and higher education. A few years ago, I attended a panel on self-driving vehicles. The panelists described what we might expect from self-driving cars in the years ahead. They predicted a time of significant transition. When the world moves fully to self-driving vehicles, fewer accidents will occur. However, the in-between phase, when self-driving vehicles share the road with regular vehicles, will be a messy and complicated time.
Saturday, October 28, 2023
Microcredentials For Maximum Impact: Best Practices For Companies - Gregory Crawford, Forbes
Microcredentials have become an international movement; leaders held a global summit in Spain earlier this year. But the fledgling field currently lacks professional standards, best practices or quality control to ensure people who earn badges or certificates have acquired the skills employers expect. Agencies such as UNESCO, the University of Texas system, Colleges and Institutes Canada and the State University of New York are working to develop consistent frameworks. A survey by Coursera found that 88% of U.S. employers believe microcredentials enhance a resume. Nearly 40% have hired someone with a microcredential. Nonetheless, adding microcredentials to some hiring platforms remains a challenge for many employers.
Friday, October 27, 2023
UTA EXPANDS MICROCREDENTIAL PROGRAM TO ALL MAVERICKS - Jeff Carlton, UT Arlington
Students, employees and alumni of The University of Texas at Arlington will have free access to an expanded microcredential program that can prepare them with high-demand training under a new initiative launching immediately through the University. Mavericks can access 40 professional certificates from leading companies such as Google, Salesforce, IBM, Meta and Intuit through the Coursera Career Academy platform. The certificates span 29 different areas and focus on specific skills for careers in cybersecurity, data analytics, IT support, social media marketing, front- and back-end development, career coaching, human resources and more. The credentials are at no cost to all current Maverick students, employees and alumni. Hands-on projects and interactive assessments allow Mavericks to apply their skills in real-world scenarios and practice using workplace tools. Upon completion, they will earn career-focused credentials to enhance their qualifications for the job market.
Thursday, October 26, 2023
Inside HLC’s new effort to vet outside credential providers - Natalie Schwartz, Higher Ed Dive
The accreditor recently launched an initiative called the Credential Lab, which will implement an evaluation model for outside content providers. With a $250,000 grant from the Lumina Foundation to partially support the initiative, HLC’s Credential Lab will develop and implement an evaluation model for vetting the quality of alternative credential providers. “There’s new content providers coming into the picture,” said HLC President Barbara Gellman-Danley. “There’s an overwhelming need to have some group — or multiple groups — say there’s a quality assurance of these particular providers.”
Wednesday, October 25, 2023
Improving Filipinos’ employability with UPOU Micro-credential Courses - Sun Star
A microcredential is proof that attests to a person's knowledge and skills in a particular subject or area. A learner receives a micro-credential after passing an assessment or successfully completing and passing the required assessment in a particular micro-course. As stipulated in the Roadmap, a UPOU microcredential is expected to be relevant, focused, assessment-based, portable, flexible, and quality-assured. UPOU envisions itself as a key player in equipping Filipinos through continuous and flexible learning. With the official launch of the Roadmap to Microcredentials, UP Open University solidifies its commitment to shaping the future of education and supporting learners in their pursuit of excellence and lifelong learning. As microcredentials continue to gain momentum as a valuable tool in education, UPOU's visionary roadmap paves the way for a brighter, more dynamic future of learning and professional development.
Tuesday, October 24, 2023
Employability: An existential crisis for higher education - Simon Marginson, University World News
Recently Dirk Van Damme, former head of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD) Centre for Educational Research and Innovation, questioned the expansion of participation in higher education in International Higher Education. “There are pressing signs that high levels of university attainment do not have only positive effects on societies and economies,” Van Damme stated, noting “graduate underemployment, overqualification, mismatches and substitution effects”. More promising, he said, is “the rapidly expanding interest in short programmes and non-traditional certifications such as microcredentials”. Shifting to microcredentials would mean that provider status no longer matters. It seems that microcredentials are the new route to equity.
Monday, October 23, 2023
Higher education cornerstone of workforce - Muskogee Phoenix Editorial Board
Oklahoma needs a qualified workforce to compete in today’s economy. The chancellor of the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education presented an encouraging portrait of how the state’s colleges and universities help meet that need. Allison D. Garrett told those gathered at the State of Education luncheon this week that colleges keep finding new ways to support Oklahoma’s workforce. Garrett said career-focused credentials — micro-credentials — are one way colleges help Oklahoma businesses and industries. Employees can pursue micro-credentials online to boost their careers and the micro-credentials will count toward an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. This is one way to improve career advancement while on the job. Micro-credentials will provide additional skills to anyone who needs them.
Sunday, October 22, 2023
Educause '23: AI Tutors to Play Critical Role in Upskilling - Brandon Paykamian, Government Technology
As artificial intelligence tools and platforms continue to improve, AI-assisted tutoring could play a major role in upskilling students for tech-related careers, according to executives from the IT skill-building platform Vocareum. Speaking at the annual Educause conference Wednesday, Vocareum’s VP of Learning and Enablement Rochana Golani said educators and IT trainers should focus on encouraging critical-thinking skills and hands-on learning. She said this is especially important for teaching students new skills in emerging technology fields such as cloud computing and data science, as well as ever-changing AI-related careers. “One of the areas that we are exploring now is this idea of an AI tutor, and that is basically that the teaching assistant is AI. So, the lead instructor is still doing all of the teaching. They are the subject matter expert. But for most commonly answered questions, you're now going to AI instead of a teaching assistant," she said. "And this is still early days.
Saturday, October 21, 2023
The Power of Micro-Credentials, Certificates, and Degrees - Sheila Boysen-Rotelli, TD
In today’s rapidly evolving professional landscape, the quest for continuous learning and skill development is essential for career success. Nowhere is this more evident than in the training and development field. Professionals dedicated to enhancing the workforce’s skills and knowledge must continually upskill themselves to meet the ever-changing demands of their roles. One effective way to do this is by pursuing a higher education graduate degree, graduate certificate, or micro-credential, which can significantly support your journey toward career advancement in the training and development sector. Here are six ways these options can benefit you.
Friday, October 20, 2023
4 ways to align higher education with in-demand workplace skills - Brad Koch, eCampus News
Higher education plays a crucial role in preparing students with the right skills to meet current and future workforce needs, providing one of the best drivers of economic mobility. Learners gain the necessary preparation for a successful career, and the workforce needs a new generation of workers brimming with essential skills and ideas. However, today’s rapidly evolving job landscape is making it more challenging, with a recent Salesforce report revealing only 11 percent of students felt prepared for the workforce. To equip students with in-demand workplace skills for their future paths, institutions need to better align curricula with current and future industry trends. According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2023, 44 percent of workers’ core skills are expected to change in the next five years.
Thursday, October 19, 2023
Regional nurses to upskill for free - Mirage News
La Trobe's Rural Health School is offering free places for registered nurses to build skills specific to rural nursing at a time of acute skills shortages in rural healthcare. Enrolments are now open for the Professional Certificate in Rural Nursing Practice, which is designed to retain and strengthen the rural nursing workforce, as part of the Australian Government's Micro-Credential Pilot Program. The certificate includes five micro-credentials to meet the needs of rural nurses, including in digital health and assessments for rural paediatric, adult, and older patients.
Wednesday, October 18, 2023
USC Launches Innovative Online Certificate Programs: Law and Government, Technology and Entrepreneurship Law - Business Wire
The University of Southern California Gould School of Law announces the launch of two online graduate certificate programs: Law and Government, and Technology and Entrepreneurship Law. These cutting-edge graduate certificates are designed to equip professionals with the essential knowledge and skills needed to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of law, technology and governance. “These new online certificate programs exemplify USC Gould's commitment to interdisciplinary education and preparing our students for the challenges and opportunities of today's legal landscape” As industries continue to undergo rapid transformation in the digital age, the intersection of law and government, as well as technology and entrepreneurship, has become increasingly complex. USC Gould, known for its excellence and innovation in legal education, is at the forefront of addressing emerging areas of law through its new online certificates.
Tuesday, October 17, 2023
SUNY Chancellor King Announces Registration is Open for Direct Support Microcredentials - SUNY
State University of New York Chancellor John B. King, Jr. today announced the start of the direct support microcredential program approved earlier this year to provide training that leads to national certification in the field of developmental disabilities. The program was developed in partnership with the New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) to recognize the distinct skills and competencies required of today's direct support professionals. The first classes will begin at Niagara County Community College and will roll out at other participating colleges across the state through early fall including: SUNY Corning, Dutchess Community College, Empire State University, Finger Lakes Community College, Fulton-Montgomery Community College, Jefferson Community College, Mohawk Valley Community College, SUNY Morrisville, Onondaga Community College, SUNY Schenectady, and Tompkins Cortland Community College.
Monday, October 16, 2023
Irish universities set up joint platform for micro-credentials - John Walshe, University World News
Over 300 university accredited micro-credentials have been launched on a new platform called MicroCreds.ie which the Irish Universities Association (IUA) says is the first of its kind in Europe. More will be added as they are developed. The launch by two government ministers on Tuesday is the result of research and planning by the association in cooperation with seven of its members and with enterprise stakeholders – all partners in the ambitious MicroCreds Project which started in 2020 at a cost of €12.3 million (US$13.8 million). The courses, typically between four and 12 weeks in length, are delivered either fully or partially online and deal with key skill areas such as sustainability, digital transformation, aircraft leasing and fintech. Fees range from €250 to €2,000.
Sunday, October 15, 2023
Millions of UK University Credentials Found on Dark Web - Phil Muncaster, InfoSecurity Magazine
According to the latest figures, there were nearly 2.2 million students studying at UK higher education institutions in 2021/22, including 680,000 international students, plus an additional 234,000 staff. That makes the size of the discovery potentially significant, although there’s no information on how many of the affected individuals are still at university. Crossword Cybersecurity highlighted the potential risk to sensitive research, if threat actors are able to access user accounts with compromised credentials. It said that over half (54%) of breached credentials came from UK universities with research facilities, with government-funded programs in areas like nuclear energy and defense potentially at risk.
Saturday, October 14, 2023
Today's Credentials - Lumina
The country needs a comprehensive learning system that ensures opportunities for individuals to earn meaningful credentials that are widely available and distributed fairly. Without significant changes to better tailor higher learning for today’s students, American society, the national economy, and individual citizens will experience profound consequences. A coherent approach to designing academic and training programs would lead to credentials that affordably position people for informed citizenship and success in a global economy. This emerging system should be easy to understand, clear about costs and outcomes, and prepare people for better work and lives and even more learning. Degrees and other credentials remain the currency for verifying what people know and that they can apply their knowledge and skills.
Friday, October 13, 2023
A New Campaign to End Unpaid Internships - Johanna Alonso, Inside Higher Ed
Research by NACE shows that paid internships benefit graduates far more than unpaid ones. Now the organization is pushing for legislation to ban the latter. Unpaid internships have long faced scrutiny for their inaccessibility, especially for lower-income students who can’t afford to work for free. Now the National Association of Colleges and Employers is taking a firm stance against unpaid internships, arguing in a new campaign—called Unpaid Is Unfair—that such internships should be outlawed nationally. “Congress should pass legislation requiring internships to be paid,” the organization wrote in a position statement released Tuesday.
Thursday, October 12, 2023
MICROLEARNING: BITE-SIZED LESSONS FOR ON-DEMAND KNOWLEDGE - eLearning Inside
A recent study on microlearning and flipped classrooms (FC) that this type of learning can improve student engagement and motivation by breaking apart educational content into smaller chunks. This innovative approach is poised to play a pivotal role in the future of education and many e-learning software developers are already introducing e-learning elements to their solutions. Microlearning is an educational strategy that involves delivering small, bite-sized lessons or pieces of information to learners. These lessons are typically brief, focused, and designed to address a specific learning objective or skill.
Wednesday, October 11, 2023
Inclusive Leadership: Micro-Credentials Empowering Workplace Diversity Bojana Ristic - Bojana Ristic, Best Stocks
In today’s ever-evolving professional landscape, the importance of diversity and inclusion in the workplace cannot be overstated. Creating environments where everyone feels valued, respected, and included is not just a moral imperative but also a strategic advantage for organizations. Micro-credentials, short and focused courses designed to enhance specific skills, are playing a pivotal role in driving the transformation toward more inclusive leadership within workplaces. In this article, we will explore how micro-credentials are equipping leaders with the essential skills to foster diversity and inclusion, ultimately reshaping the dynamics of modern organizations.
Tuesday, October 10, 2023
How higher ed can set students up for successful internships - Nicole Engelbert, eCampus News
Higher education institutions must look beyond graduation goals and invest in the tools and programs to help students succeed after graduation. Students report feeling immense pressure to find internships for career success. Higher-ed institutions are using technology to help, such as implementing career-oriented technology solutions. Over the past several years, it appears that internships, and not just the summer before senior year, have shifted from a nice-to-have—a fun way to gain hands-on work experience in a student’s prospective career field while also earning college credits or an income—to a must-have. This shift puts additional pressures on students who feel that the path from high school, to college, to gainful employment is a high-stakes and highly competitive one.
Monday, October 9, 2023
AIIA: more tech development support needed - Technology Decisions
“Jobs of the future need to be a priority and the focus needs to be on encouraging and supporting students to seek careers in technology. Showing students and parents the many benefits that a career in digital technology provides, including the high demand for these skills and in turn the wide range of employment opportunities and strong remuneration, will support increased enrolment. As such, greater partnerships between education providers and employers to showcase the employment pathway for graduates are needed. Bush said micro-credentials are an effective educational pathway to upskill the workforce.
Sunday, October 8, 2023
7 Steps to Upskill Your Workforce for the AI Era - Fisher Phillips
How prepared is your workforce for the ongoing AI revolution? It’s not about replacing humans with robots – it’s about reshaping the roles of your employees. As Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum Klaus Schwab recently said, “In the new world, it’s not the big fish which eats the small fish, it’s the fast fish which eats the slow fish.” Your existing workforce will need to learn new skills to perform the job functions that will predominate over the five years. But what skills should be prized? And how should you carry out your mission? Here are seven steps to get the job done.
Saturday, October 7, 2023
Internships are key to success for students who seek a career in museums - Stacey Edison, JagWire, Augusta University
“Before I got this internship, I really thought that working in museums was more of like an abstract thing. I thought, ‘Oh, that would be really cool. But there is no way. That’s never going to happen,’” Phillips said. “But by getting into the museum studies program here at Augusta University, I realized like, ‘No, you actually can go out and do this. It’s not just something that would be a nice thing. You can actually do it and make this a career.’”
Friday, October 6, 2023
How to upskill developers in the wake of AI - Emma Chervek , SDX Central
Active demand for generative artificial intelligence (genAI) skills increased 20-fold this year, and research suggests that upskilling and reskilling are part of the answer for many IT organizations. And despite the useful capabilities of AI in software development, it’s only exacerbating the need for skilled developers. Talent shortages represent the main roadblock to successful data and analytics initiatives, according to Gartner’s 2023 survey of chief data officers (CDOs). The obvious solution is to “get more people into software development,” OutSystems VP of developers Miguel Baltazar told SDxCentral. “The needs are just insane.”
Thursday, October 5, 2023
10 Top Artificial Intelligence Certifications 2023 Explore the top 10 AI certifications and learn how to get certified – and improve your career - Aminu Abdullahi, eWeek
AI certifications demonstrate understanding and competence in various aspects of AI, such as machine learning, natural language processing, computer vision, robotics, and AI software. The demand for professionals with AI certifications is great: The artificial intelligence market size is projected to grow from $515.31 billion in 2023 to more than $2 trillion by 2030, at a scorching CAGR of 21.6% – and with this growth comes enormous demand for AI experts.
Wednesday, October 4, 2023
New Sac State cultural competency certificate helps professionals better serve vulnerable populations - Jonathan Morales, CSU Sacramento
A new certificate program at Sacramento State will train those in law enforcement, social services, and other professionals to work across cultures so they can better serve the region’s vulnerable populations. The Cultural Competency Certificate Program, which Sac State’s College of Continuing Education launched this month, will provide participants with knowledge, skills, and techniques that can assist them in their work with the homeless, immigrants, victims of sexual violence, and other marginalized and at-risk groups. The certificate was designed in response to current events, organizers said, including a national conversation about race and policing. It is aimed at providing its participants with important career skills and bolstering the regional workforce’s ability to respond effectively and compassionately to critical issues and incidents.
Tuesday, October 3, 2023
UD PCS INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN CERTIFICATE MEETS ONLINE LEARNING NEEDS - Lisa Walenceus, UDaily
When she joined the University of Delaware Division of Professional and Continuing Studies (UD PCS) digital learning team in 2016, Aviva Heyn had no idea how significant her work would become. One of her first projects was updating the RN Refresher online course, a UD PCS certificate program designed to prepare nurses who have been away from the profession to be licensed again. This certificate program was made critical by the shortage of nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her latest project for UD PCS is an Instructional Design Certificate program to introduce people to the world of instructional design and prepare them to use learning theory and multimedia tools to create engaging online learning experiences.
Monday, October 2, 2023
Upskilling - Future Proof Your Career - Taylor Gatonni, WILX
Industrial automation, the launch of the internet, and now AI technology like Chat GPT keeps changing how people do their jobs. Failing to keep up with changing technologies can leave you jobless; thankfully, there are things you can do to future proof your career. Companies are constantly looking for ways to increase efficiency while lowering costs. Bringing in new technology can quickly achieve that goal. But, it’s a goal not easily obtained by all. Implementing new technologies can leave some workers who are unable to quickly adapt out of a job. However, you can remain a valuable asset with upskilling. Upskilling is the process of learning new skills to stay current and competitive in your field.
Sunday, October 1, 2023
City earns five International Economic Development Council awards - Barrie Today
The City of Barrie has been recognized by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) for three economic development initiatives. The city’s Invest Barrie team was presented with five awards during the IEDC Annual Conference held in Dallas, Tex. The awards included:
Gold in the Partnerships with Educational Institutions category for the Rapid Skills Micro-Credentials project
Gold in the Paid Advertising Campaign category for the Invest Barrie Entrepreneurship Campaign
Silver in the Talent Development and Retention category for the Rapid Skills Micro-Credentials project
Silver in the Multimedia/Video Pro
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