Microcredentials: why, what and how - Journal of Interactive Media in Education

The European Commission states that microcredentials “certify the learning outcomes of short-term learning experiences, for example a short course or training. They offer a flexible, targeted way to help people develop the knowledge, skills and competences they need for their personal and professional development.” They can be viewed as an extension of the interest in MOOCs, and a means of addressing employability and upskilling. A number of higher education institutions globally have made significant investments in relation to microcredentials. In this collection five articles are presented that contribute to our understanding of microcredentials, including critical perspectives and experiences.

https://jime.open.ac.uk/collections/microcredentials

University of Arkansas at Fort Smith hosts testing for biotechnology micro-credentials, certified evaluator training - Thomas Saccente, NW Arkansas Democrat Gazette

The University of Arkansas at Fort Smith hosted an outside nonprofit group last week to test people for a new kind of credential designed to help them compete and stand out in the job market. The university worked with the Kansas-based Bioscience Core Skills Institute to provide assessments for people to receive digital "micro-credentials" in five areas in the biotechnology field Wednesday. Those who passed the assessments could also undergo additional training Thursday to become a certified evaluator, allowing them to test other people to see if they qualify for their own micro-credentials from the institute.

https://www.nwaonline.com/news/2023/may/28/university-of-arkansas-at-fort-smith-hosts/

Micro-credentials Survey. 2023 Trends and Insights. - HolonIQ

Whilst there has been progress in the emergence of frameworks, regulation and funding for micro-credentials over the last few years, institutional adoption of micro-credentials is still in developmental stages. Nearly 1 in 5 indicate that micro-credentials are non-existent at their institution (the same proportion as in 2021) and nearly two-thirds describe their adoption as 'emerging'. We do see some change, however, in those describing their adoption of micro-credentials as 'mature' - increasing from 7% in 2021 to 13% in 2023.

https://www.holoniq.com/notes/micro-credentials-survey-2023-insights

Types of Certificate Programs - Campus Explorer

It used to be that employers valued certificates much less than degrees. This isn’t the case anymore, as employers see certificates as a valid way for an employee to increase his knowledge or specialize in a subject. Today there is a certificate program for pretty much all industries, as technology and industry standards continue to evolve.

https://www.campusexplorer.com/student-resources/types-of-certificate-programs/

Certificate vs. Degree: What's the Difference? - Indeed

When hiring for a position, many employers look for candidates who have received a certain amount of training or education in that career field. You can receive this type of training by completing a certificate or degree program. Whether you choose to earn a certificate or a degree depends on your resources and the type of job you want to pursue. In this article, we will explain the difference between the two so you can determine which one will benefit you the most.

https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/certificate-vs-degree

What Is a Certificate Program? portrait of Anne Dennon - Anne Dennon, Best Colleges

Certificate programs establish and redirect careers in a growing number of fields. As a whole, certificate programs are more affordable and faster than bachelor's degrees. College students and recent graduates can strengthen their resumes by adding a certificate.

https://www.bestcolleges.com/blog/what-is-a-certificate-program/

Grow with Google Career Certificates - Google

Get on the fast track to in-demand jobs with top employers. Complete a Google Career Certificate to get exclusive access to CareerCircle, which offers free 1-on-1 coaching, interview and career support, and a job board to connect directly with employers, including over 150 companies in the Google Career Certificates Employer Consortium.

https://grow.google/certificates/

Could micro-credentials help your business survive uncertainty? - Caoimhe Carlos - Personnel Today

Micro-credentials, or short courses that equip employees with vital new skills, can be a useful addition to learning and development strategies. Caoimhe Carlos explains how to integrate them into the business. The economic downturn and surge in new workplace technologies are exacerbating an already significant skills gap within organisations. Businesses realise that effective learning and development can help them compete in this market.

https://www.personneltoday.com/hr/microcredentials/

Top 15 Free Textbook Resources According to Reddit - Juno Team

Paying for textbooks in college can add up to a huge expense. On top of books, you often need access codes, software, and course specific materials. There are several ways to try to reduce the cost of textbooks. This may be by buying from another student, renting from your bookstore or Amazon, or seeking an electronic version. If you opt to find an ebook, Reddit has several threads dedicated to providing free textbook resources. Here are the top 15 recommended textbook resources on Reddit.

https://joinjuno.com/financial-literacy/personal-finance/top-15-free-textbook-resources-according-to-reddit

Getting Started with Microcredentials: A Primer for Higher Education Leaders - Northeastern University

The Center’s foundational projects are focused on critical issues at the intersection of higher education and talent strategy, such as:

The future of educational credentials and their value and use in the workplace

New models of partnership and curricular collaboration between colleges and employers

Work-based experiential learning

The evolution of corporate talent strategy – including learning and development, hiring and recruiting, and the emergence of people analytics

The convergence of skills-based hiring and competency-based education

https://cps.northeastern.edu/academics/schools-centers/cfhets/projects/

THIS WEEK ON IN THE KNOW YYC - BOW VALLEY COLLEGE (Alberta)! - ASHLEIGH DARRAC, Bow Valley

Bow Valley College stands out as an educational institution that truly understands the importance of staying competitive in today's job market. Through their innovative Pivot-Ed Micro-credentials program and strong industry collaborations, the college equips students with the skills, knowledge, and connections needed to thrive in their chosen fields. By choosing Bow Valley College, individuals gain a significant advantage in their professional journey, opening doors to endless opportunities and empowering them to achieve their goals. 

https://www.iheartradio.ca/cjay92/in-the-know-in-yyc/this-week-on-in-the-know-yyc-bow-valley-college-1.19707241

Micro-credential Market to See Huge Demand by 2030: Coursera, edX, Udacity - Navajo Post

HTF Market Intelligence published a new research publication on Micro-credential Market Insights, to 2028″ with 150+pages and enriched with self-explained Tables and charts in presentable format. In the Study you will find new evolving Trends, Drivers, Restraints, Opportunities generated by targeting market associated stakeholders. The growth of the Micro-credential market was mainly driven by the increasing R&D spending across the world, however latest scenario and economic slowdown have changed complete market dynamics.  Some of the key players profiled in the study are Coursera Inc (United States), edX Inc. (United States), Udacity, Inc. (United States), FutureLearn (United Kingdom), Kadenze, Inc. (United States), International Business Machines (United States), Alphabet Inc. (United States), Microsoft Corporation (United States), Cisco systems Inc. (United States), Udemy, Inc. (United States)

https://navajopost.org/micro-credential-market-to-see-huge-demand-by-2030-coursera-edx-udacity/

Meeting the skill requirements with micro-credentials - Tata Consultancy

The pandemic has dramatically disrupted the traditional learning ecosystem. The widening skill gap, induced by the rapid advancement of technological adoption, can be bridged through micro-credentials. With the support of various stakeholders, micro-credentials can become an effective tool for developing focused learning opportunities for employees. 

https://www.tcs.com/what-we-do/industries/education/white-paper/micro-credentials-education-bridging-digital-skills-gap

What We Do (and Don't) Know About Noncredit Workforce Programs - Gelsey Mehl, New America

The federal government, states, institutional leaders, and researchers are striving to understand the entirety of workforce offerings in the United States. But there is a huge blind spot: noncredit offerings. That’s why a team led by Michelle Van Noy of Rutgers University and Mark D’Amico of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, along with Peter Bahr of the University of Michigan and Di Xu of the University of California, Irvine, are investigating what data is available on noncredit programs in three states. There are a lot of noncredit offerings. The researchers counted 924 unique offerings at 15 community colleges in Iowa, 396 at 12 community colleges in Louisiana, and 6,045 across the 23 Virginia Community College System (VCCS) institutions. Most of these offerings are occupational trainings. 

https://www.newamerica.org/education-policy/edcentral/what-we-do-and-dont-know-about-noncredit-workforce-programs/

NY Jobs CEO Council

We are achieving our goals by:

Launching EverUp Micro-Credentials at CUNY. EverUp Micro-Credentials are 100-hour online intensives equipping CUNY students with in-demand skills. Micro-credentials are co-designed by CUNY faculty and subject matter experts from Jobs Council companies based on internship job specifications. Successful completers build and apply in-demand skills needed to land jobs and internships. Providing EverUp Micro-Credential Completer Benefits.

https://www.nyjobsceocouncil.org/what-we-do/

3 Keys to Making Microcredentials Valid for Learners, Schools, and Employers - Dave McCool, Campus Technology

None of these credentials, however, will be successful without answering the question of validity. Are the microcredentials offered credible and valuable in the marketplace, both to the learner and to the employer or institution? To answer this question, educational providers who seek to institute microcredentialing programs — and the learners that seek them out — need a framework for evaluating the quality of those programs to ensure that they are worth their time and effort. Here are three key factors of that framework.

https://campustechnology.com/Articles/2023/05/22/3-Keys-to-Making-Microcredentials-Valid-for-Learners-Schools-and-Employers.aspx

Rutgers to offer reduced tuition on high-quality training for professionals charged with improving accountability and transparency of state government - Yahoo Finance

Rutgers Business School and the National Association of State Auditors, Comptrollers and Treasurers (NASACT) are partnering to make two online graduate-level academic programs more accessible to NASACT members interested in academic training and professional development. Rutgers Business School will provide NASACT members reduced tuition of 25 percent on courses offered through the Online Master of Accountancy in Governmental Accounting Program and the Online Certificate in Government Financial Management Program. The incentives will be offered in the form of scholarships as part of a three-year pilot program

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/rutgers-offer-reduced-tuition-high-130500775.html

Four trends in professional & continuing education - Rowena Clima, Continuum College University of Washington

The rise of alternative credentials, building partnerships with other higher education institutions, the adoption of digital tools to improve the student experience and navigating the new normal are four trending topics in professional and continuing education in 2023.

https://www.continuum.uw.edu/latest-news/articles/four-trends-professional-continuing-education-2023

Microcredentials - HKU Space Hong Kong

Stackability

Microcredentials are "stackable". Learners may accumulate them to earn a certificate or diploma. The awards will carry the title of Certificate / Diploma in Professional Practice or Certificate / Diploma in General Studies depending on the nature of the Microcredentials.

Flexibility

Most Microcredentials are short courses of about 30 contact hours, usually 6 or 9 credits, though a few are longer. They can be accumulated and are normally valid over a 5-year period. 

https://hkuspace.hku.hk/collection/microcredentials

Career Ready Micro-Certificate - FIU Adcademic and Student Affairs

What a great way to launch the FIU Career Ready Micro-Certificate! Yesterday the Office of Microcredentials along with several DASA and FIU departments discussed micro-credentials, badges, career development and more. There were giveaways and pizza…always irrestible to our students! Thanks to our partners Career and Talent Development, MITRE, QEP, the Ombuds Office, and the Financial Wellness Program for representing your programs yesterday.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CkdkbphOq8I/

Google & Coursera Launch New Career Certificates That Prepare Students for Jobs in 2-6 Months: Business Intelligence & Advanced Data Analytics - Open Culture

First, the Google Advanced Data Analytics Professional Certificate builds on the original Data Analytics Certificate and “delves into machine learning, predictive modeling, and experimental design to collect and analyze large amounts of data.” Featuring seven courses in total, the program takes roughly six months to complete.... With the Google Business Intelligence Professional Certificate, students can participate in a shorter program that focuses on transforming data into actionable insights for organizations. Consisting of three courses (and lasting about two months), the program helps students learn skills like data modeling, data visualization, and dashboarding–skills that have wide applicability in our data-driven age.

https://www.openculture.com/2023/05/google-coursera-launch-new-career-certificates.html