Wichita State leads the way in microcredential accountability - Wichita State

During the past decade, Wichita State University has been a recognized leader in the development and implementation of microcredentials. Now, the university’s work has taken a significant step forward with its launch of the first 1EdTech TrustEd Microcredential. “We are at the forefront of innovation as it relates to microcredentials,” said Kim Moore, executive director of Workforce, Professional and Community Education at Wichita State. “I’m always looking for opportunities where we can lead.” This partnership establishes a framework of rigor and accountability for institutions granting microcredentials. A microcredential is a series of courses that culminate in a digital badge from an accredited university. A microcredential provides proof of proficiency in a subject area. 

https://www.wichita.edu/about/wsunews/news/2025/03-march/micro_4.php

From Apprenticeships to Microcredentials, Why Alternatives to College Are Gaining Popularity - Kerry McDonald, the 74

For Chase Buffington, college isn’t a priority right now. The 18-year-old from Enfield, New Hampshire is currently a high school senior working as a paid apprentice for a local heating, ventilation, and air conditioning company, a job that he plans to continue full-time for at least the next several years. Buffington is representative of a growing number of young people, especially men, who are eschewing a college degree for alternatives, such as apprenticeships, entrepreneurship, and microcredentialing. While overall college enrollment numbers have roughly rebounded to pre-pandemic levels, surveys indicate that more of today’s high schoolers are valuing on-the-job training over a traditional four-year college degree. Polls also show that Americans overall have soured on higher education in recent years, with only 36% saying in a recent Gallup report that they have a “great deal/quite a lot” of confidence in the sector, compared to 57% in 2015. 

https://www.the74million.org/article/from-apprenticeships-to-microcredentials-why-alternatives-to-college-are-gaining-popularity/

Why the University of Texas System is offering microcredentials to students — for free - Lilah Burke, Higher Ed Dive

The University of Texas System expanded its partnership with Coursera late last year to provide some 15,000 students across its five health campuses with free access to the online learning platform’s microcredentials. Through the partnership, students, faculty, staff, and alumni have access to Coursera’s Career Academy, which offers some 50 professional certificate programs with companies like Google and Microsoft. System officials say they hope the microcredentials help students build upon their college classwork to succeed in the workforce. The results of pairing microcredentials with degree programs have not been fully studied, but higher education experts say they may offer benefits for students. 

https://www.highereddive.com/news/ut-system-coursera-partnership-microcredentials/740906/

Virgin Atlantic Launches AI Apprenticeship to Boost Workforce - Scarlett Evans, AI Business

Virgin Atlantic has become the first airline to launch an AI Champion apprenticeship program, designed to build the AI workforce of the future.  Established in collaboration with education tech company Cambridge Spark, the program is hoped to accelerate digital transformation by teaching non-technical employees how to use AI tools. In a release, Cambridge Spark said the program responds to “sluggish” AI adoption across enterprises, helping to empower AI fluency in workers and improve productivity. 

https://aibusiness.com/generative-ai/virgin-atlantic-launches-ai-apprenticeship-to-boost-workforce

Internship season is here. Glassdoor says these are the 10 best internships of 2025. - Sarah Jackson, Business Insider

More than half of the 25 top internships Glassdoor identified are in the tech industry, though industries like consulting, finance, and biotech are also represented. "These are really industries that offer high career growth as well as good pay, so it's no surprise that these are very attractive employers for interns," Daniel Zhao, lead economist at Glassdoor, told BI. The job market has cooled considerably in the past few years, and it shows at even the lowest rungs of the career ladder. Glassdoor's report found that last year was the most competitive internship season since the pandemic. The top internships in this year's ranking come from some giants of their industries. "These are larger companies that not only offer good career growth, but are also perhaps more stable than some of the smaller companies that are more volatile year to year," Zhao said. "As the job market cools, there is more appeal to companies where there might be more job security."

https://www.businessinsider.com/the-best-internships-of-2025-tech-accounting-consulting-finance-glassdoor-2025-4

THE RISE OF MICRO-CREDENTIALS IN HIGHER STUDIES - Anindita Acharya, Millennium Post

Let’s say you have a master’s degree in management but you’re not exactly up to speed with the latest tech like blockchain, cloud computing, or AI. What’s the way forward? Well, you can always sign up for a micro-credential programme through an online tech platform. These short, focused courses are designed to complement your traditional degree and help you stay relevant in the job market. Today’s labour market is shifting rapidly towards skill-based hiring. With automation on the rise and AI changing the very nature of work, the kinds of jobs available and the skills they demand are evolving fast. This has created a widening gap between what employers need and what many candidates bring to the table. That’s where micro-credentials come in. Micro-credentials tailored to specific sectors are now being added to academic curriculums, making them more job-ready and aligned with what employers are actually looking for.

https://www.millenniumpost.in/k-reers/the-rise-of-micro-credentials-in-higher-studies-606824

UTSA helps students gain career-ready skills with Adobe microcredentials - Linda McNair, Adobe

The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) is a longstanding Adobe Creative Campus partner that continually finds innovative approaches to drive student outcomes. One of the ways they are helping students stand out in the job market is by encouraging them to earn Adobe microcredentials, which indicate they have mastered an in-demand skill like designing compelling presentations or using generative AI to develop business pitches. Unlike typical Adobe certification courses, which demonstrate expertise in an Adobe app after weeks of study and hands-on experience, microcredentials focus on specific creative tasks, such as editing a short video, designing a presentation, or creating an image with generative AI. They take just a few hours to complete and are entirely self-paced, making it easy for even the busiest students to fit lessons into a busy schedule.

https://blog.adobe.com/en/publish/2025/04/15/utsa-helps-students-gain-career-ready-skills-adobe-micro-credentials

Trinity College Dublin marks life-long learning milestone as 1,000 complete micro-credentials - Trinity College Dublin

Trinity College Dublin is celebrating a life-long learning milestone as 1,000 learners – who are mainly full-time employees whose ages range from 21 to 67 - have now completed a micro-credentials course at the university.  Launched in the 2021/2022 academic year, micro-credentials are small, focused courses, lasting six to 12 weeks, allowing for in-depth learning in a specific area or topic at postgraduate level. Each micro-credential offers a career and knowledge growth opportunity and a direct impact in the workplace. While they are standalone offerings, there will be opportunities in the future to stack them towards specified Trinity awards. Trinity currently offers 37 different micro-credentials, with a new one in Perinatal Mental Health due to start in January 2026.  Areas involved at Trinity include Nursing and Midwifery, Business, Engineering, Social Work and Social Policy, Medicine, Psychology, Natural Science and Trinity Innovation. 

https://www.tcd.ie/news_events/articles/2025/trinity-marks-life-long-learning-milestone-as-1000-students-complete-micro-credentials--/

Florida House panel advances bill to pay interns and apprentices less than minimum wage - Gabrielle Russon, Florida Politics

Should employers be allowed to pay interns and apprentices below minimum wage? The House Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee thinks so. The panel advanced a bill (HB 541) with a 10-5 vote as the Republican sponsor, Rep. Ryan Chamberlin, argued his proposal gives more opportunities to young people breaking into ceratin industries, citing horse trainers near his home by Ocala as an example. The measure would let employees voluntarily opt out of minimum wage if they are involved in internships, work-study programs, pre-apprenticeships or apprenticeships.

https://floridapolitics.com/archives/726029-house-panel-advances-bill-to-pay-interns-and-apprentices-less-than-minimum-wage/

As Interest in Work-Based Learning for Students Grows, New Data Analysis Shows Louisiana Lagging Other States In Apprenticeship and Internship Participation - CABL

All of this is important because Louisiana has a serious leakage in the pipeline of students who transition from high school to postsecondary education and the workforce. This is born out in data from 2022. Of the 44,000 students in the high school that year, 50% are believed to have gone straight into the workforce without enrolling in 2-year or 4-year college, an opportunity for more high school internship and apprenticeship work experiences. In January of this year, Better Louisiana co-hosted a summit with the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry to connect business leaders from across the state with education officials and employers who utilize apprenticeships and internships. The goal was to provide them with more information about the value of work-based learning, how it impacts their local high schools under the new school accountability system, and the ways it can help them meet their workforce needs. One of the key findings from the summit was that Louisiana currently has two existing tax credits designed to support employers who hire apprentices or youth from disadvantaged circumstances. Both are significantly underutilized, have different rules, and do not align with the new school accountability system. Better Louisiana is proposing legislation this session to combine those two credits into a streamlined program to make them more accessible to students, and encourage businesses to expand participation.

https://cabl.org/as-interest-in-work-based-learning-for-students-grows-new-data-analysis-shows-louisiana-lagging-other-states-in-apprenticeship-and-internship-participation/

Palantir wants to poach top high school grads with a new anti-college internship: 'Skip the debt. Skip the indoctrination.' - Julia Hornstein, Business Insider

• Palantir launched a Meritocracy Fellowship for high school grads with top test scores. It challenges university admissions, saying "campuses have become breeding grounds for extremism and chaos." The fellowship comes as Trump's White House pressures elite colleges to cut DEI initiatives. The company just launched its Meritocracy Fellowship, a four-month, paid internship for recent high school grads not currently enrolled in college. Applicants need Ivy-League level test scores to apply — a 1460+ on the SAT or a 33+ on the ACT, 99th, and 98th percentile scores, respectively. Admission to the program, the job posting says, is awarded "based solely on merit and academic excellence."

https://www.businessinsider.com/palantir-launches-anti-college-internship-for-high-school-grads-2025-4

Undergraduate certificate programs soar in popularity amid changes to labor market - Lexi Lonas Cochran, the Hill

The shifting labor market has fueled a huge spike in undergraduate certificate programs, which are vastly outpacing the growth in undergraduate enrollment in general.   From 2019 to last fall, the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center found a 28.5 percent increase in enrollment in the programs, which are seen both as a way to move into the workforce quicker without a college degree and as a resume-booster for those still working on their bachelor’s.  

https://thehill.com/homenews/education/5109306-undergraduate-certificate-programs-labor-market-health-care-construction-cybersecurity/

Seufferlein Sales Program - Cal State Chico

Our 21-unit Professional Sales Certificate is an award-winning, USCA-accredited program that prepares students for dynamic careers in sales. The hands-on courses provide students with the sales training required by today's leading organizations. The sales certificate is a great way to differentiate yourself in today’s competitive job market. Though open to all students, the certificate is specifically designed for marketing majors and minors. The certificate is comprised of one foundation course, five required core courses, and one elective course.

https://www.csuchico.edu/academics/college/business/departments/sales/

‘Not every path is directly to college.’ As fewer students pursue degrees, certificate programs are on the rise - Hilary Burns, Lumina Foundation

“Not every path is directly to college,” Senneville said. “There’s this whole big world of boats out there, and as soon as you get your foot in the door, you realize that there [are] a lot of opportunities.” As the number of people pursuing two-and-four-year degrees across the country falls due to high sticker prices and declining birth rates, a growing swell of students are turning to shorter-term certificate programs to gain workforce skills in less time, for less money. Some 670,665 people completed certificate programs in the academic year ending in 2023, a 4 percent increase from the year prior, according the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center. The share of people completing bachelor’s and associate’s degrees fell 3 percent and 7 percent, respectively, during that time.

https://www.luminafoundation.org/news-and-views/not-every-path-is-directly-to-college-as-fewer-students-pursue-degrees-certificate-programs-are-on-the-rise/

How apprenticeships can broaden access to education and quality jobs - Marieke Vandeweyer and Vlasis Korovilos, OECD Ed Today

In today’s economy, rapid changes such as the digital and green transition are creating a demand for specialised skills. But in many sectors, the demand for skills outpaces the supply of qualified professionals. This situation underscores the urgent need for accessible educational pathways – including in higher education. One promising option is the expansion of apprenticeships: giving people hands-on training, earning potential and career advancement opportunities. By taking on apprentices, businesses give themselves a sustainable method of recruiting and training employees to meet skills needs, helping them to stay competitive and foster employee loyalty and retention. At the recent joint OECD-CEDEFOP symposium ‘New fields for apprenticeship’, experts highlighted the potential of apprenticeship for different sectors of the economy and different types of learners. “Apprenticeships do work across different sectors and levels,” the Head of the OECD Centre for Skills El Iza Mohamedou told the audience. “(But) we still have to do a lot of work to further the case for apprenticeships.”

https://oecdedutoday.com/how-apprenticeships-can-broaden-access-to-education-and-quality-jobs/

These micro-credentials have taken over traditional degrees: Self-taught skills redefine learning in a digital age - Vera Emoghene, Rolling Out

The classroom is no longer confined to brick-and-mortar walls. A do-it-yourself education boom has taken root, driven by YouTube tutorials, coding bootcamps, and micro-credentials. These tools, fueled by digital access and a hunger for practical skills, are challenging the dominance of traditional four-year degrees. With college costs soaring and job markets shifting, learners are turning to faster, cheaper alternatives that promise real-world results. This rise reflects a broader cultural pivot. Data from the National Center for Education Statistics shows U.S. college enrollment dropped 7% from 2019 to 2024, while platforms like Coursera reported a 25% jump in users seeking short-term credentials last year. Five key forces reveal how this DIY wave is outpacing the old guard.

https://rollingout.com/2025/04/09/micro-credentials-over-college-degrees/

Howard University Responds to Students' Demand for Digital Learning Modality - Christen Hill, Howard

Howard University continues to demonstrate leadership in higher education innovation by expanding its digital learning infrastructure, responding to what research confirms is the fastest-growing sector in education. According to recent data published by Devlin Peck (2025), online learning has grown 900% since its creation in 2000, making it the fastest-growing market in the education industry. Howard’s Office of Digital and Online Learning (DOL), established in 2022, has been instrumental in this expansion, reporting a 65% growth in fully online students over the past three years. The office has also developed Howard's "Project Management Essentials" course, which ranks as the No. 1 university course among Class Central's Top 100 Most Popular Online Courses of 2024. "Students are demanding this modality, and Howard continuously focuses on responding to this demand. 

https://thedig.howard.edu/all-stories/howard-university-responds-students-demand-digital-learning-modality

International education needs to show its tangible benefits - Andrew Gordon, University World News

UAEU's research focus is aimed at developing innovative and sustainable solutions to many of the challenges facing the UAE, the wider region and the international community today. The UAE has prioritized seven key area of strategic importance. These are renewable energy, transportation, education, health, technology, water resources and space exploration. This research focus contributes to the realization of the UAE 2021 vision where innovation, research, science and technology form the basis of a productive and competitive knowledge-based economy.

https://www.universityworldnews.com/post.php?story=20250408140956749

CEO speaks: Micro-Credentials & Future of Learning: Disruption or Evolution - Sanku Bose, Milleniumpost

In the global landscape of higher education, a quiet revolution is underway. It’s not heralded by sprawling campuses or centuries-old traditions, but by a new currency of learning—micro-credentials. These short, skill-focused certifications are gaining traction across industries and institutions alike, offering learners a faster, more targeted pathway to acquiring job-relevant competencies. But are they truly redefining education, or do they merely complement what traditional degrees already offer? To answer that, we must first understand the changing dynamics of the modern workplace. For decades, a college degree was the golden ticket—an unquestioned prerequisite to professional success. https://www.millenniumpost.in/k-reers/ceo-speaks-micro-credentials-future-of-learning-disruption-or-evolution-605891

https://www.millenniumpost.in/k-reers/ceo-speaks-micro-credentials-future-of-learning-disruption-or-evolution-605891

Sailing into the Future: SMA Launches Blockchain-Powered Micro-Credentials - Aayushya Ranjan, Tech African News

By issuing these credentials through Educhain’s blockchain platform, SMA ensures that each certificate is:

Instantly verifiable, reducing the need for manual authentication Tamper-proof and secure, protecting against document fraud. Easily shareable, allowing students to showcase their credentials to employers and institutions worldwide, including on LinkedIn and other social media platforms. Educhain’s Blockchain-Powered Digital Credentialing educhain, already trusted by top universities in the region, provides a scalable, white-labeled solution for institutions looking to modernize their credentialing infrastructure. Its Hyperledger Fabric-based technology enables the secure, digital issuance of degrees, transcripts, student ID cards, and now, micro-credentials.

https://techafricanews.com/2025/04/07/sailing-into-the-future-sma-launches-blockchain-powered-micro-credentials/

UC Honors students gain hands-on research experience - Megan Burgasser, U of Cincinnati

This semester, 31 undergraduate students are taking part in 27 RaMP projects. Cullen said students typically spend eight to 12 hours a week in their labs. While they do not receive pay or academic credit, it does count as an honors experience — one of five required for graduation. Students also gain experience in a research environment. Last year, 40% of RaMP participants went on to other research experiences, Cullen said. One of the cornerstones of the University Honors Program includes interdisciplinary experience and reflection. “They are in a structured environment that fosters both personal and technical skill development,” said Cullen.

https://www.uc.edu/news/articles/2025/03/uc-students-gain-hands-on-research-experience.html

Online microcredentials: a response to meet the market's demand for soft skills - Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC)

The demand for professionals with soft skills, such as effective communication, critical thinking and time management, is high in today's job market. "Soft skills are the personal and social skills that enable professionals to work effectively, both on their own or in teams. They're associated with personal behaviour patterns and attitudes such as decision-making, time management and resilience. These skills are crucial in any professional environment, and particularly important in a managerial role," explained Iñaki Bustinduy, a course instructor with the Faculty of Economics and Business at the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC). A recent study in this field undertaken by the UOC, led by Carles Bruguera, a member of the Labour Market Research and Analysis Unit(UPAL) and a researcher in the Management and Learning (MeL) group, examines how online microcredentials can help meet this need through flexible training adapted to meet the demands of business. 

https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1078419

Investing in the Future: Preparing Students for the AI Revolution - Teaching and Learning Services, Carleton

In a world where technology is rapidly evolving, artificial intelligence (AI) is seemingly everywhere, transforming many aspects of our daily lives. From using smart thermostats or robot vacuums in our homes, to offering virtual reality simulations in university courses, to automating tasks in the workplace, AI is changing the way we live, learn and work. To help prepare students for this new wave of technology, Teaching and Learning Services has launched online learning experiences that foster knowledge, skills and confidence in AI and digital literacy. These new modules are part of FUSION, an initiative that aims to bridge academic and employability skills. They will teach students how to identify accurate information online, manage their digital footprint and use AI effectively and ethically.

https://carleton.ca/tls/2025/investing-in-the-future-preparing-students-for-the-ai-revolution/

McDonald's rolls out ‘micro-credentials’ program to boost employee careers - Alana Loftus, Irish Star

McDonald's Australia is launching the initiative to help young people working in their restaurants put the skills they've learned towards a university degree.  McDonald’s is planning to award employees with “microcredentials” based on skills supposedly learnt on the job. The global fast-food giant will offer certificates to employees that can potentially use to count towards a degree at the public University of South Australia or the private Torrens University. The director of learning and development at McDonald’s Australia, Mandy Sharp, explained the new scheme to a local newspaper.

https://www.irishstar.com/news/us-news/mcdonalds-jobs-employees-college-34952357

Creative Futures Academy (CFA) helping businesses equip their employees with the skills needed to thrive - Creative Futures Academy

Creative Futures Academy was delighted to feature in 'Business This Week' within The Irish Times as part of a special report on Attracting Excellence in Ireland. Our Director, Louise Allen, and our courses featured across multiple articles focusing on prioritising career development to attract talent, sustainability and EDI considerations and also exploring career stagnation with microcreds. With the growth in demand for creativity in all areas of work, the courses CFA offers benefit a wide range of sectors. “Creative and design-led approaches are essential in today’s workplace, driving innovation and growth. As experience economies rise, businesses must craft immersive, meaningful experiences that resonate with consumers”.

https://careersportal.ie/colleges/college_news_item.php?notice_id=4229&client_id=326

Online microcredentials: A response to meet the market's demand for soft skill - Open University of Catalonia, Phys.org

The demand for professionals with soft skills, such as effective communication, critical thinking and time management, is high in today's job market. "Soft skills are the personal and social skills that enable professionals to work effectively, both on their own or in teams. They're associated with personal behavior patterns and attitudes such as decision-making, time management and resilience. 

https://phys.org/news/2025-03-online-microcredentials-response-demand-soft.html

Micro credentials: Key to future of learning in era of AI, new tech - Rizal Raoul Reyes, Business Mirror

FUTURE-PROOFING the current crop of Filipino students is one major step to make them competitive in the digital economy dominated by artificial intelligence (AI). Moreover, by 2030, 30 percent of jobs in the Philippines will either be eased or displaced by AI. As such, micro credentials are arguably some of the best methods to empower the students in the digital economy currently being dominated by the said technology. Chair and CEO OF iPeople Inc. Dr. Reynaldo Vea said the government recognizes the importance of propagating micro credentials, as it provides more learning tools to students. These short-term learning courses aim to develop learners into being more productive and competent in current technologies like AI.

https://businessmirror.com.ph/2025/03/22/micro-credentials-key-to-future-of-learning-in-era-of-ai-new-tech/

Personal Perspectives on Combining Traditional Degrees With Digital Credentials - Kelly Hoyland, Inside Higher Ed

These experiences from Nona, Laura and Chelsea underscore the profound impact of digital credentials in bridging the gap between academic theory and real-world application, offering tangible benefits from enhanced communication to accelerated career advancement. Bringing in the voices of learners and other stakeholders is one of the Six Steps for a Successful Credential Program, released by 1EdTech after a case study review. We are now beyond theoretical discussions and can engage directly with students and professionals, like those featured on the panel, in a way that truly serves the needs of today’s evolving workforce.

https://www.insidehighered/opinion/views/2025/03/20/combining-traditional-degrees-digital-credentials

Town offers internships for college students - Mid-Island Times

The Town of Oyster Bay has announced the return of internship opportunities for college students who are looking to gain meaningful work experience. The Town will offer an internship program for the 2025 summer season. “Internships give students an advantage over other job seekers when it comes to work readiness, and I am proud that the Town will once again provide that opportunity for our residents,” Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino said. “This internship program provides an invaluable opportunity for students to receive mentorship and supervision from experienced government professionals.” This program compensates students at a competitive rate of $18 an hour, and students will work 19.5 hours per week.

https://www.midislandtimes.com/articles/town-offers-internships-for-college-students-2/

Internship Competition Is Fierce. Here’s How Colleges Can Help Students Win Them - Christine Y. Cruzvergara, Forbes

Internships rank among the high-impact practices that provide immediate benefits to participants. Not only do internships allow students to explore industries, companies and roles that equip them to make more informed career decisions, they improve the likelihood that college graduates will find jobs that make use of their degrees. Despite rising interest in internships, new data reveals that only about half of recent college graduates said they had an internship while in school, while 12% of current students don’t expect to participate in an internship before they graduate. It’s not for lack of interest. Students say packed schedules, overwhelming course loads, a lack of opportunity, financial constraints and even location can make it difficult to secure an internship.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/christinecruzvergara/2025/03/17/internship-competition-is-fierce-heres-how-colleges-can-help-students-win-them/