RISE OF MICROCREDENTIALS - Press-Reader, India

It wouldn’t be incor­rect if we say that 2025 has been a hall­mark year where micro-cre­den­tials emerged as a vital tool to bridge skill gap, and boost employ­ab­il­ity. However, these courses also raised ques­tions on authen­ti­city and qual­ity. Dr Ash­wini Kumar Sharma, Pro- Vice Chan­cel­lor, Med­havi Skills Uni­versity, men­tioned nearly 96 per cent of employ­ers around the world think that micro­cre­den­tials enhance job applic­a­tions, and close to 90 per cent of stu­dents view them as essen­tial to bet­ter job pro­spects, as per an AACRAO sur­vey. Prof Braj Bhushan, Deputy Dir­ector, IIT Kan­pur, believes the rapid pro­lif­er­a­tion of short-term cer­ti­fic­ates.

https://www.pressreader.com/india/millennium-post-kolkata/20251225/282175067471355

SIM Unlocks Career Agility Through Micro-Credentials - Taiwan News

Micro credentials are short, focused courses designed to equip professionals with in demand skills quickly. Unlike full degree programs, they enable learners to upskill or reskill without disrupting their careers. For industries shaped by rapid technological change such as digital marketing, artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, and sustainability, these credentials are becoming essential for staying relevant. According to the World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report 2025, 39% of workers' core skills will change by 2030, and 59% of the global workforce will need reskilling to meet evolving demands. This shift, driven by automation, AI, and sustainability imperatives, makes continuous learning a necessity rather than an option.

https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6269858

The Skills Revolution: Why 63% of Americans Say Four-Year Degrees Aren't Worth the Debt - Chris John, University Herald

Something fundamental has shifted in American attitudes toward higher education. In a startling reversal, 63% of registered voters now believe a four-year college degree isn't worth the cost, according to recent NBC News polling—a dramatic increase from just 47% in 2017 and 40% in 2013. The numbers tell a story of eroding confidence. Only 33% now agree that a degree is worth the cost, down from 53% just over a decade ago. Even more telling: this sentiment isn't confined to those without degrees. College graduates themselves have flipped, with only 46% now saying obtaining a degree is worth the cost versus 63% in 2013. "The cost overwhelms the value," explained Jacob Kennedy, a 28-year-old Detroit resident with a two-year degree who now works in the service industry. "You go to school with all that student debt—the jobs you get out of college don't pay that debt, so you have to go find something else that can pay that debt."

https://www.universityherald.com/articles/80061/20251222/skills-revolution-why-63-americans-say-four-year-degrees-arent-worth-debt.htm

How two new rules are reshaping career education - Dana Godek, University Business

The new gainful employment and financial value transparency rules fundamentally change the way the federal government decides which college programs deserve access to federal financial aid. Instead of assuming that anything offered by a college has inherent value, the government is now asking a more pointed question: Does this program actually improve a student’s economic future compared to what they could earn with a high school diploma or a short-term workforce certificate? Under these rules, colleges must show evidence that their graduates earn more than typical high school graduates and more than those completing equivalent certificates that are often available through high school CTE, workforce boards or industry credentialing bodies. Programs that cannot demonstrate this “value add” are now at risk of losing eligibility for Pell Grants, federal loans and work-study.

https://universitybusiness.com/gainful-employment-financial-value-transparency-rules-reshaping-career-education/