College initiative exemplifies the quick rise of micro-credentials - Jeff Budlong, Inside Iowa State

In about a year and a half, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) has gone from one micro-credential badge awarded through a single track to more than 160 awarded through seven tracks. Micro-credentials -- short, flexible learning experiences that verify skills students or employees gain -- often don't show up on a college transcript or resumés, but many business leaders see them as key employee attributes. In CALS, the Pathways to Innovation and Leadership program grew quickly because it leveraged skills and high-impact practices already being taught to build micro-credentials, tracks and badges. Pathways staff also worked with the Student Innovation Center, learning communities and the Academic Success Center to build micro-credentials.

https://www.inside.iastate.edu/article/2025/12/02/college-initiative-exemplifies-quick-rise-micro-credentials

Micro-credentials need to be part of national frameworks - Sjur Bergan, University World News

 One approach to micro-credentials is to see them as part of a longstanding development towards greater individualisation of study programmes and learning paths. In this sense, they continue a development that was given a significant push by the introduction of credit systems, which enable students to include elements that may not be part of their major area of academic concentration but which give them added competences in areas they consider important to their further career, enable them to pursue specific interests or both. The idea that degree holders need some competence outside of their main area of specialisation is, of course, not new.

https://www.universityworldnews.com/post.php?story=20251203074946497

From Microcredentials to AI: Online Learning Enters New Era - Aura Moreno, Mexico Business News

The online learning market is growing as organizations adopt remote learning, mobile-first platforms, and AI-enabled tutoring to address workforce skill gaps. Digital training is reshaping sectors such as staffing, aviation, customer service, and healthcare. Valued at US$15.2 billion in 2024, the market is projected to reach US$28.8 billion by 2033, expanding at a 7.5% CAGR as enterprises, workers, and education systems increase their use of digital training tools, according to a new report by Verified Market Reports. The report attributes growth to rising demand for language proficiency in cross-border operations and the shift toward personalized, scalable training solutions. “Hyper-personalized pathways, real-time proficiency assessments, and automated feedback loops are redefining enterprise adoption strategies,” reads the report. 

https://mexicobusiness.news/talent/news/microcredentials-ai-online-learning-enters-new-era

Defining professional programs: Why evidence and clarity matter in ED’s rulemaking - Katharine Meyer, Brookings

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) recently clarified which graduate programs qualify as “professional” for higher federal loan limits under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). Almost immediately after ED made its decision, social media lit up with claims certain careers such as teaching and nursing had been “removed” or that ED was claiming those careers were not professions. The online reaction was partially warranted. This decision, which is still pending and may change following a public comment period, has direct implications for prospective graduate students who need to borrow money to finance their training. By extension, this decision could also impact the universities that offer graduate programs and the supply of new workers into affected occupations.  

https://www.brookings.edu/articles/defining-professional-programs-why-evidence-and-clarity-matter-in-eds-rulemaking/

Improving digital literacy in older adults is now a health imperative: report - Kimberly Bonvissuto, McKnight's Senior Living

GetSetUp, a virtual learning platform for older adults, recently released its 2025 Active Aging Report, which found older adults eager to learn, connect and take charge of their health and independence. But digital literacy remains a barrier — and an opportunity — for health providers and others, they said. The report shares insights gleaned from a national survey that GetSetUp conducted in 2024 among 465 older adults to explore digital confidence and technology adoption, health habits and wellness priorities, financial concerns and work readiness, emotional well-being and social connectedness, and attitudes toward aging in place.

https://www.mcknightsseniorliving.com/news/improving-digital-literacy-in-older-adults-is-now-a-health-imperative-report/

AI is coming for your job, here’s the one move you need to make to stay employable and relevant in the job market - Manu Kaushik, Economic Times

Hart, who previously served as a technical advisor to Jeff Bezos at Amazon and took over as president and CEO of Coursera in February 2025, told CNBC Make It that students need to go beyond traditional degrees to stay viable in a rapidly changing employment landscape. “The advice that I give to my sons... is one of the best things that you can do is to augment your university degree with micro credentials specifically,” he said according to CNBC website. Micro credentials, short, targeted courses that certify specific skills, are gaining traction as companies deploy AI to handle more tasks traditionally assigned to junior employees. Hart said these add-ons are becoming critical as firms increasingly cite AI when laying off workers. Amazon cut 14,000 jobs this year as it doubled down on AI development. Salesforce eliminated 4,000 customer support roles, saying AI can handle roughly 40 percent of tasks performed at the company.

https://m.economictimes.com/news/international/us/ai-is-coming-for-your-job-heres-the-one-move-you-need-to-make-to-stay-employable-and-relevant-in-the-job-market/amp_articleshow/125667367.cms

Micro-credentials: From lifelong learning to lifelong recognition - Karen MacGregor

Today’s story about micro-credentials is really about their recognition, says Simone Ravaioli, a leading global credentials expert. “If we spent the last 30 years working on learning, the next 30-plus years will be focused on recognition. In a sense, the narrative is shifting from lifelong learning to lifelong recognition.” Ravaioli was speaking at a University World News-ABET webinar on “Recognising micro-credentials: Lessons from the world’s best”, held on 20 November. It was the fourth in a series of webinars that are combining high-level thinking with hands-on advice that will help people to navigate higher education in a time of change and uncertainty.

https://www.universityworldnews.com/post.php?story=20251128100209342

The Cambrian Explosion of Micro-Credentials - Bryan Penprase, Forbes

Higher education stands at an inflection point. Traditional four-year degrees often disappoint employers seeking graduates with job-ready skills, and students are eagerly seeking more flexible academic programs requiring less time and money. New micro-credentials offerings from top tech companies and universities are filling this gap – providing modular, flexible, and low-cost alternatives to the traditional college degree. The proliferation of thousands of these new programs around the world has created something of a “Cambrian explosion” of academic programs, analogous to the time in geologic history when billions of new life forms 530 million years ago.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/bryanpenprase/2025/11/28/the-cambrian-explosion-of-micro-credenti/

As AI changes the first job, working while in college must evolve - Jane Swift, University Business

As artificial intelligence rapidly reshapes the workforce, few roles face greater risk than the entry-level jobs that young professionals have long relied on as a springboard for launching their careers. A recent Stanford University study found that employment for workers ages 22 to 25 in the most AI-exposed fields has declined by 13% in just three years. With students increasingly unable to gain the competencies and connections traditionally developed through entry-level jobs, it’s more critical than ever for them to build meaningful career skills while still in college.

https://universitybusiness.com/as-ai-changes-the-first-job-working-while-in-college-must-evolve/

Berkeley College Partners with NY Fashion Incubator for Student Internships - NJBIA

Berkeley College students in the Fashion Merchandising and Management program will benefit from experiential learning opportunities under a new collaboration with The Brooklyn Fashion Incubator, Inc. (BFI), a nonprofit that mentors emerging fashion entrepreneurs. The partnership was announced at a Global Fashion Collaborative focused on global business, sustainability, and technology in New York City last month. Through this collaboration, Berkeley College students will shadow BFI executives and potentially obtain internships with BFI, which works to help fashion entrepreneurs with professional growth and business development. 

https://njbia.org/berkeley-college-partners-with-ny-fashion-incubator-for-student-internships/

STUDENT VOICE: College students are tired of being told that we ‘should be grateful’ for our internships. We also want to get paid - Savanah Celeste Scott, Hechinger Report

Imagine clocking out of an eight-hour shift and your compensation is a pat on the back and experience for your resume.  This scenario is a disturbing reality for around one million college students, and it needs to stop. Students work countless hours on top of their academic pursuits only to be told they should be “grateful for the opportunity.”  The government must pass legislation mandating that all internships include monetary compensation; employers must stop exploiting students and recent graduates while they build necessary work experience.  

https://hechingerreport.org/student-voice-college-students-are-tired-of-being-told-that-we-should-be-grateful-for-our-internships-we-also-want-to-get-paid/

A leader’s guide to the future of learning at work - McKinsey

The race to embrace AI in the corporate world means that people at all levels of an organization urgently need to build new tech skills and knowledge. In turn, many companies are accelerating their learning and development programs to help executives and employees keep up with the pace of change. This dynamic landscape presents an opportunity for chief learning officers (CLOs) to reimagine the future of learning in the workplace. This week, we look at how CLOs can help organizations make learning a more fundamental part of the work experience and create cultures of continuous development.

https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/leading-off

College grads face one of the toughest job markets in a decade — ‘Right now is a really difficult time to find a job,’ expert says - Jessica Dickler, CNBC

Even as the U.S. economy adds jobs, there are fewer entry-level positions for college graduates just entering the labor market. “For the first time in modern history, a bachelor’s degree is no longer a reliable path to professional employment,” Gad Levanon, chief economist at the Burning Glass Institute, told CNBC. Even as the U.S. economy adds jobs, there are fewer employment prospects for college graduates just starting out, as those armed with a newly minted diploma are facing one of the toughest job markets in a decade, studies show.

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/23/college-graduates-are-struggling-to-find-jobs-ai-is-partly-to-blame.html

How to find summer internships: Tips for college students - U Cincinnati

For college students, summer is prime time to level up your career with a co-op or internship. At UC, co-ops are paid career experience integrated into curriculum, while internships may be paid or unpaid and are often less integrated into curriculum. The search can feel competitive, like everyone’s showing off the flashiest resume, but with a little strategy, you can find a position that gives real-world experience, builds your network and points you toward your future career. Let’s dive into exactly how to find a summer internship that excites you.

https://www.uc.edu/news/articles/2025/11/how-to-find-a-summer-internship.html

Florida expert urges shift in how we talk about end-of-life care - Trimmel Gomes, Florida News Connection

Nurse practitioner and longtime palliative care provider Lolita Melhado is calling for a shift in the way patients, families, and clinicians approach advance care planning, urging conversations that focus on personal values rather than rigid checklists. She is helping introduce an affordable, accredited online certificate program created by Compassion & Choices and the Goals of Care Coalition of New Jersey to train professionals nationwide. With Florida’s large aging population, Melhado emphasizes that early, open discussions are essential to ensuring patient wishes guide medical decisions during serious illness or crisis.

https://theapopkavoice.com/stories/new-certificate-program-aims-to-transform-end-of-life-talks-in-florida,149102

New UK course builds AI skills across every major - Allie Barnes, University of Kentucky News

University of Kentucky students are invited to learn how to thrive in an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven world through a new online course.  UK is offering a 100-level, one-credit-hour course — Transdisciplinary Educational Approaches to Advance Kentucky (TEK 100): Collaborative Intelligence — Understanding and Using Modern AI.  This rolling, asynchronous course will be offered twice during the Spring 2026 semester, to create multiple opportunities for students to fit this in their schedule. This course will run from Jan. 12 through March 2, and from March 9 through May 8.  

https://uknow.uky.edu/campus-news/new-uk-course-builds-ai-skills-across-every-major

‘How do we educate people for life’: How to connect Canada’s education system to the needs of a fast-changing economy - The Hub, Canada

Based on a roundtable discussion featuring perspectives from major employers, post-secondary institutions, and the global learning company Pearson, a clear consensus emerges: Canada faces a critical challenge in bridging the gap between its education system and the rapidly evolving demands of the modern economy. The central issue is not necessarily the curriculum itself, but the lack of “connective tissue” and agility needed to keep pace with technological change, industrial policy, and AI-driven transformation.

https://thehub.ca/podcast/audio/how-do-we-educate-people-for-life-how-to-connect-canadas-education-system-to-the-needs-of-a-fast-changing-economy/

How new immersive tech is shaping workforce skills - Alcino Donadel, University Business

Career simulation training is gaining a new layer of realism powered by advances in artificial intelligence and virtual reality, which provide students with a more responsive environment to test their technical and soft skills. Since flight simulators first became a staple in aviation training decades ago, simulation technology has expanded into other highly technical fields, such as cybersecurity, law enforcement and healthcare. Simulations expose students to high-stakes situations that require sophisticated care but that occur very rarely. In healthcare, these situations are called “HALO” (high-acuity, low-occurrence) events. New technology provides a low-stakes environment where students practice technical skills, communication and problem-solving

https://universitybusiness.com/how-new-immersive-tech-is-shaping-workforce-skills/

A First Year Student Continues Her Education Journey During Summer Internship - Suffolk University

Suffolk Law appealed to Anusha because of its urban character, diverse enrollment, and relatively small classes. She also had heard that the faculty were highly approachable, which was affirmed upon her matriculation. “I’ve never encountered a faculty member,” Anusha remarks, “who doesn’t want you to succeed in every possible way.” She aims to be a prosecutor in the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office, where she will be interning this upcoming spring semester in the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Unit. Through the First Year Summer Internship Program (FYSIP), Anusha worked for The Honorable Judge Michelle Yee, JD ’01 at the Essex County Family and Probate Court in Salem, MA. Before coming to Suffolk, Anusha had been drawn to family law, so this internship opportunity stood out to her. She points out that family court can be a difficult experience for those involved in the litigation. Cases may entail emotionally charged issues, such as contested divorces, child custody, and child support. Many people involved in the hearings lack legal representation and adequate knowledge of the process, adding an additional burden on the parties.

https://www.suffolk.edu/law/careers/gain-experience/1st-year-summer-program/first-year-student-continues-her-education-journey-during-summer-internship

North Carolina becomes latest state to offer residents help with online skills - Madyson Fitzgerald, Stateline

North Carolina published statewide digital skills standards last month that identify key knowledge and abilities for residents and will soon launch an online course, joining a number of states that are hoping to strengthen digital literacy. The North Carolina Digital Skills Standards, published by the state’s information technology department, is a framework that can be used to help residents understand basic digital skills. Next, an online learning course will be developed and “digital navigators” will be trained to help residents across the state.

https://stateline.org/2025/11/17/north-carolina-becomes-latest-state-to-offer-residents-help-with-online-skills/