Micro-credentials the way forward for workers - the Star

Human resource experts are increasingly advocating micro-credentials as they specifically address the areas companies are urgently in need of upskilling, while the courses are short – barely taking five days to upskill participants – and most importantly, cost-effective. GKK Consultants Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Gajendra Balasingham said micro-credentials are the best solution for urgent changes as employability, resources, finances and time are critical in addressing today’s manpower shortage. Among all emerging business industries, the country’s IT industry is facing dire manpower shortages as the necessary skills are not being extended fast enough at tertiary levels.

https://www.thestar.com.my/business/business-news/2022/08/29/micro-credentials-the-way-forward-for-workers

Micro-credentials the way forward for workers to improve and remain relevant - Bernmama, Edge Markets

Human resource experts are increasingly advocating micro-credentials as they specifically address the areas companies are urgently in need of upskilling, while the courses are short, barely taking five days to upskill participants, and most importantly, cost-effective. Gajendra Balasingham, the chief executive officer of GKK Consultants Sdn Bhd, said micro-credentials are the best solution for urgent changes as employability, resources, finances and time are critical to addressing today’s manpower shortage.

https://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/microcredentials-way-forward-workers-improve-and-remain-relevant

What are microcredentials? - Grace McCabe, Times Higher Ed

As the popularity of microcredentials continues to grow, we look at what they are and what they can do for students and professionals who are considering upskilling in their chosen industry.  Also known as microdegrees or nanodegrees, they are often on-demand online courses that can be completed in your own time and provide certification upon completion. They are designed to be fast, accessible and specialised. One example of a microcredential may be if you are working in a computing and information technology role and you need to learn a new programming language. You may be able to take a microcredential in the specific language you need and at the end you will have certification of that new skill, which can be applied to your role. 

https://www.timeshighereducation.com/student/advice/what-are-microcredentials

Experiential learning at the forefront of new school year at IUK - Spencer Durham, Kokomo Tribune

In an effort to strengthen ties with the community, IUK is branching out with microcredentials. These are geared toward those who are already working and want to build on their skills or learn a new one. “We want to know what we can do to educate the workforce,” Canada said.  For example, someone might earn a leadership microcredential — similar to a badge on LinkedIn — if they’re moving into an administrative role. The course is not for college credit. Instead, the focus is on obtaining the skill.

https://www.kokomotribune.com/news/experiential-learning-at-the-forefront-of-new-school-year-at-iuk/article_23f0cf0a-2323-11ed-b161-8f383da91ba0.html

Trying to give students in low-wage majors some extra skills they can cash in on - Olivia Sanchez, Hechinger Report

The University of Texas System is piloting a program to insert workplace skills valued by employers into the four-year curriculum, in an effort to boost earnings for alumni of the majors that typically make the lowest salaries. These microcredentials might range from digital skills to data analysis to business skills such as project management, said Lydia Riley, the UT system’s director of academic affairs. The eight colleges will decide in a few more weeks, she said, and the credentials should be available to students next fall.

https://hechingerreport.org/trying-to-give-students-in-low-wage-majors-some-extra-skills-they-can-cash-in-on/

5 Key Characteristics of Microcredentials and What to Do With Them - Jamie Frankenfield, SUNY Blog

Don’t let the name fool you. A microcredential from SUNY is anything but small, and it packs a punch on your resume. Microcredentials allow students and professionals to learn a new skill in months, not years. They’re often used to make a resume stand out, or to add skill sets that complement what you know. Microcredentials can help employees adjust to changes in their industry, demonstrate that they are ready for advancement, or to help anyone explore a new career or interest.

https://blog.suny.edu/2022/02/5-key-characteristics-of-microcredentials-and-what-to-do-with-them/

Art Markman: Going back to school should not just be for kids anymore - Waco Tribune-Herald

One interesting approach is what are called microcredentials. That might include a focus on new technologies, but it might also involve the people skills that enable someone to be an effective manager or leader. At The University of Texas at Austin, there are programs in engineering, business and human dimensions of organizations that can provide key skills to prepare for new positions. At Texas A&M University, Project MOOPIL has extensive training for teachers to help them address the needs of students who are also learning English. Rice University also has an extensive list of programs that include computer and data sciences and engineering leadership. In fact, last year UT Austin, Texas A&M and Rice served more than 100,000 learners who returned to school.

https://wacotrib.com/opinion/columnists/art-markman-going-back-to-school-should-not-just-be-for-kids-anymore/article_f7b04162-2496-11ed-81db-8ffc67aae96a.html

Internship Opportunities at The Executive Office of the President

The Biden-Harris Administration is pleased to announce that, for the first time in recent history, the EOP is offering paid internship opportunities in many of our offices. The following offices will be offering internships in the coming year: The White House Office, the Office of the Vice President, the Council of Economic Advisers, the Council on Environmental Quality, the Office of Administration, the Office of Management and Budget, the Office of the National Cyber Director, the Office of National Drug Control Policy, the Office of Science and Technology Policy, the Office of the United States Trade Representative, and more.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/get-involved/internships/

What We Know: How Institutions Can Best Prepare Students for What Comes Next - Adam Fein, Illunmination Modern Campus

What a continuing education division offers students can have a significant impact on the surrounding community in its near future. The skills taught within an institution will soon be used in the businesses that may have been critical to informing course curriculum in the first place. So it’s key for CE to stay up to date with what’s in demand.   On this episode of the Illumination podcast, host Amrit Ahluwalia is joined by Adam Fein, Vice President for Digital Strategy and Chief Information Officer of the University of North Texas. The two discuss the industrywide interest in micro-credentials and what’s possible for an institution to accomplish with micro-credentials within the context of traditional academic framework. 

https://moderncampus.com/blog/what-comes-next-illumination.html

Regulators must keep-up with the pace of education innovation - MAHSOOD SHAH, Campus Morning Mail AU

As tertiary education institutions innovate their learning and teaching practices, it is critical that national regulators and professional accreditation bodies support their pursuit of innovation at a scale and speed that assures their international competitiveness. Failure to recognise and encourage beneficial change will inhibit essential growth, the financial sustainability of institutions and their access to new market opportunities, and affect our sector’s reputation for educational innovation.

https://campusmorningmail.com.au/news/regulators-must-keep-up-with-the-pace-of-education-innovation/

Micro-credentials give industry and workers major boost - Queensland Government

The Palaszczuk Government’s support for industry-led micro-credentials is nation leading, with a forward-thinking approach to upskilling gaining popularity across the state.   Meeting with the Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC), Minister for Employment and Small Business and Minister for Training and Skills Development Di Farmer said micro-credentials were proving to be a boost for businesses, employees and job seekers. “Micro-credentials help businesses to quickly upskill and train their staff, while jobseekers can update their knowledge and qualifications by completing a free short course,” Minister Farmer said.

https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/96050

Micro-credentials: The future of education in the workplace - Joe Bush, the Manufacturer

Stewart McKinlay is Skills Director at the Manufacturing Skills Academy (MSA), part of the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) Group, operated by the University of Strathclyde. Here he explains what micro-credentials are and why they could help address Scotland’s skills shortage while supporting people to make the leap to a new role in the manufacturing sector.

https://www.themanufacturer.com/articles/micro-credentials-the-future-of-education-in-the-workplace/

Cal State Fullerton Offers Tech Skills to Adult Learners By Peggy Bresnick, Fierce Education

To meet the needs of employers and help minimize the persistent equity gaps in California’s technology workforce, California State University, Fullerton (CSUF) has partnered with SkillStorm on an initiative meant to give access to certification courses in high-demand technologies to students and alumni. These include certifications in Amazon Web Services (AWS), Salesforce, and CompTIA (cybersecurity). This initiative is largely directed to adult learners, ages 30 to 50, as well as school alumni.

https://www.fierceeducation.com/teaching-learning/cal-state-fullerton-teams-skillstorm-offer-tech-skills-adult-learners

Fostering Employability Skills for Students - Cecilia Buchanan, Fierce Education

Measuring and building students’ critical thinking, problem solving, and written communication skills will help them succeed not only in their coursework, but also in their future careers. Proficiency in these skills has also proven to be predictive of positive academic and career outcomes, and these are the skills most in-demand by today’s employers. However, recent research indicates that there is a gap between what employers look for in potential hires and the skills, or lack thereof, that students possess post-graduation. This highlights a critical area of higher education that needs attention. 

https://www.fierceeducation.com/teaching-learning/fostering-employability-skills-students

10 top cybersecurity online courses and certifications in 2022 - Drew Robb, Venturebeat

The annual Top Paying IT Certifications list from Global Knowledge lays out the hottest certifications in terms of pay rate. These are: 

Google Certified Data Engineer 

Google Certified Professional Cloud Architect

Amazon Web Services (AWS) Certified Solutions Architect – Associate 

Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC) 

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)

https://venturebeat.com/security/10-top-cybersecurity-online-courses-and-certifications-in-2022/

Microcredentials are surging in popularity, but how should they be shaped? - Misheck Mwaba, Noel Baldwin, Steve Richter, Policy Options (Canada)

Workers could potentially benefit from skills-building that is responsive, timely and relevant, particularly as the rise in gig and non-standard employment means that they may need to gain or demonstrate new skills much more frequently. Microcredentials, a certification of assessed learning associated with specific and relevant skills or competencies, are receiving attention and investment from governments, employers, learners and education and training institutions as a solution to the conundrum of meeting shifting labour and skills needs. 

https://policyoptions.irpp.org/magazines/micro-credentials-training-education/

Catching up with EPICA: Novel methodology helps recent graduates find work and companies the right talent - Cordis Europa

Based on a digital portfolio, the methodology assesses and awards micro-credentials to improve the quality, visibility and availability of new skills. “The methodology we have developed has two steps. The first step is for teaching staff to assess and certify the skills and the second is focused on putting together a digital portfolio for the labour market and potential employers,” explains Marcelo Maina, one of the two researchers who is a professor at The Open University of Catalonia’s Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences. “Students can work on their digital portfolio throughout their studies or create one as a final activity. It includes evidence of what they have learned – along with self-reflections – the milestones they reached, the recognitions earned and so on. The part of this digital portfolio made available for public viewing serves as a professional profile showing micro-credentials accrediting their knowledge, and evidence, which can be either academic in nature or related to their professional and social endeavours.”

https://cordis.europa.eu/article/id/441915-epica-novel-methodology-helps-recent-graduates-find-work-and-companies-the-right-talent

Sask Polytech Receives $3.5 Million for “Building the Future” Project - walterpallad, Eminetra Canada

The Autism Certification Certificate is open to communities, parents, and professionals to provide training for the growing population of service providers supporting children with autism spectrum disorders. The Leadership Skills Certificate of Achievement provides early childhood educators with the skills they need to keep this industry moving forward and meeting the expanding needs of the economy. Early Childhood Education Surge Micro-credentials are also provided. Sask Polytech funded early childhood programs and microcredentials are free. Tuition and resources are covered. Students can enroll in these courses and build a career without financial strain.

https://eminetracanada.com/sask-polytech-receives-3-5-million-for-building-the-future-project/627020/

Alternative Credentials: Considerations, Guidance, and Best Practices - AACRAO

The AACRAO  Alternative Credentials Work Group released a report on campus guidelines and best practices for alternative credentials, primarily micro-credentials and certificates, and specifically to:

create broader awareness among institutions of higher education of micro-credentials and certificates.

create future consistency and meaning of these credentials by providing definitions and parameters.

establish best practices in the offering and issuance of alternative credentials so that their portability and acceptance is maximized for the learner.

https://www.aacrao.org/resources/newsletters-blogs/aacrao-connect/article/alternative-credentials-considerations-guidance-and-best-practices

Embedding Microcredentials Within Existing Degree Programs at The University of North Texas - Adam Fein and Eric Olsen, Enrollment Growth University

Dr. Adam Fein, Chief Information Officer at University of North Texas joins the podcast to talk about embedding microcredentials within our degree programs, and whether or not microcredentials are an existential threat to higher education or its wonderful partner.

https://enrollmentgrowthuniversity.sounder.fm/episode/embedding-microcredentials-within-existing-degree?start=481.92

European Commission Proposal for a COUNCIL RECOMMENDATION on a European approach to micro-credentials for lifelong learning and employability {SWD(2021) 367 final}

The proposal for a Council Recommendation on micro-credentials will be adopted simultaneously with the Commission proposal for a Council Recommendation on Individual Learning Accounts. The objective of both actions is to empower individuals to develop skills and receive recognition of them throughout their lives.

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52021DC0770