UPCEA, the online and professional education association, is honored to receive a $395,000 grant from Walmart to accelerate work in the alternative credentials space with a project titled, “Building Capacity, Expanding Pathways: Accelerating the Growth of Credential Innovation in Higher Education.” Through the grant project, UPCEA will facilitate the adoption of scalable business and program models for colleges and universities, based on market research tied to employer needs. The project will utilize a peer learning community to support the development and delivery of noncredit, short-term credentials.
Tuesday, August 22, 2023
Monday, August 21, 2023
Growing and Verifying Skills - Clarkson University
The tools employees need to thrive in the workplace regularly evolve in response to new technologies, capabilities and expectations. Micro-credentials from Clarkson help employees to upskill and reskill in areas such as engineering, data science, entrepreneurship and leadership. A recent poll shows 95 percent of employers support micro-credentials — but they want to know that they come from a reliable source. Clarkson's expert-designed assessments mean employees acquire updated skills, knowledge and experience from a source employers can trust.
Sunday, August 20, 2023
How to Use Micro-Credentials to Fill Resume Gaps (and Get a Job) - Electra Nanou, Make Use Of
Are you struggling to land your dream job due to gaps in your resume? Here's how micro-credentials can fill those gaps and boost your career. University degrees are great for your career, but they take time and money that you may not want to spend more than once on. If you want to fill in the gaps in your resume, consider micro-credentials—fast, cheap, and effective training. Here’s everything you need to know about micro-credentials, from what they are and how they work to where they go on your resume. Keep an eye out for opportunities to get new skills and improve your career prospects.
Saturday, August 19, 2023
$70,000 funding to fill skills gaps in nuclear science through new microcredential course - Charles Sturt University (AU)
Starting in late 2023, Charles Sturt University will offer a new microcredential course in nuclear science for current or recent high school graduates, as well as those looking to develop their understanding of nuclear safety. Charles Sturt University has received federal government funding to develop and offer a new, free microcredential course for high school leavers from late 2023. The ‘micro’ course is the equivalent of two first-year university subjects, and if completed successfully, students gain credit for two first-year physics subjects. There is a workforce shortage across nuclear medicine in Australia and globally.
Friday, August 18, 2023
UT System and Coursera launch the most comprehensive industry-recognized microcredential program in the country - UT System
The University of Texas (UT) System and Coursera today launched an expanded industry microcredential program with a goal of preparing every interested student at UT academic campuses – as well as faculty, staff and alumni – for the state’s workforce demands at no extra cost to them. As part of the UT System’s Texas Credentials for the Future initiative, over 240,000 learners across nine UT campuses now have access to the Career Academy on Coursera, which includes more than 35 entry-level Professional Certificates from leading companies such as Google, IBM, Microsoft and Salesforce. The expanded partnership represents the most extensive industry-recognized microcredential program from a U.S. university system.
Thursday, August 17, 2023
What Are Microcredentials? A Complete Guide - Kayla Missman, Forbes Advisor
Microcredentials have exploded in popularity over the last several years, with thousands of options for professional development available online. But what are microcredentials, and can they really change your career? While the end result depends on your personal goals, earning a microcredential can be a powerful step toward increasing your income or moving into a new field. These focused courses verify your mastery of a specialized skill or topic. And due to the programs’ short format, microcredential instructors can frequently update their material to reflect developments in technology or regulations, helping learners adapt to recent and ongoing changes in their fields. Keep reading to learn more about how to earn a microcredential and what it can do for your career.
Wednesday, August 16, 2023
How micro-credentialing helps fill Oklahoma’s workforce needs - Jeff Elkins, Journal-Record
The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education are fulfilling workforce needs through short series of courses designed to help individuals acquire in-demand skills. Micro-credentials align with the state’s critical occupations, such as agriculture, teacher education, health and cybersecurity. OSHRE partnered with businesses and public colleges and universities to create micro-credentials in occupations where these needs exist.
Tuesday, August 15, 2023
The Future of Online Graduate Education: Trends and Innovations to Keep an Eye On - Los Cerritos News
Micro-credentials are typically short, focused courses that validate specific skills or competencies. Although they are not similar to graduate degree programs, some institutions offer “stackable” micro-credentials, which means that learners can earn multiple micro-credentials and combine them to eventually work towards earning a full graduate degree. This approach allows students to accumulate credits over time and tailor their education to meet specific career goals while gradually working towards the completion of a higher-level degree.
Monday, August 14, 2023
IIT Madras to offer new online certificate programme for practising engineers - Careers 360
Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) is offering an online certificate programme in ‘Additive Manufacturing Technologies for Practising Engineers’. The new certificate programme will be offered through its Center for Outreach and Digital Education (CODE). Candidates with a bachelor's degree in engineering or applied sciences or basic sciences with at least three years of working experience are eligible to apply.
Sunday, August 13, 2023
Program Launch: One-Stop for Internships, Co-Ops - Ashley Mowreader, Inside Higher Ed
To break down silos and increase access to work-based learning, Old Dominion University established a new department focused on internships for all students on campus. Many higher ed professionals are focused on adding internship opportunities and increasing participation. Leaders at Old Dominion University, for example, aim to better connect students with relevant work experience and break down barriers to access through the Monarch Internship and Co-Op Office, centralizing experiential learning opportunities across campus for all learners.
Saturday, August 12, 2023
Micro-Credential Market to See Huge Growth by 2028 : Udemy, Microsoft, FutureLearn, Coursera - SB Wire
Micro-credentials may be the next big thing in employment upskilling, and institutions, non-profits, and corporations are already using them. Because anyone can offer a micro-credential and there are no official constraints, the standards for each credential differ widely. These credentials can be obtained by completing a series of online exams, writing an essay, or putting together a presentation. Micro-credentials are often shorter than other credential options such as college degrees or certificate programs, however, this is not always the case because the requirements are defined by the credential-granting school. This means that the source of your micro-credential is important, as not all micro-credentials are created equal,
Friday, August 11, 2023
What are micro-credentials and can they help you get a job? - Aoibhinn Mc Bride, Tech.eu
We're having a look at the value of micro-credentials for job seekers and how flexible online courses can enhance your CV and ensure career relevance in a dynamic job market. While further study will usually sit in the education section of your resume or application, micro-credentials relate to online courses or achievements that aren’t necessarily connected to the job you’re applying for, but which give hiring managers a better idea of the bigger picture.
Thursday, August 10, 2023
Report Finds Microcredentials Poorly Understood or Utilized by American Workers But Critical for Professional Development - Kate Lucariello, Campus Technology
A new research report, "Enabling Learning for Life: New Realities for Work and Education," by global technology company D2L, suggests that while American workers are interested in upskilling in their careers, they have little understanding of the value of microcredentials and how to go about obtaining them. The study draws on reports published over the last five years, the company said. It particularly asks questions about how higher education can play a significant role in helping workers upskill to meet the demands of the "paradigm shift" toward emerging jobs based heavily on new technology, including AI.
Wednesday, August 9, 2023
From Novelty to Necessity: Strategic Microcredential Development and Universal Recognition in Higher - Ed Erica Noll-Crawford, Evolllution
So, higher ed really has to step up its game if it wants to keep up. That said, microcredentials must be intentional. Higher ed often wants to create cool, new degrees that might sound fun, but don’t have a true job market for. They also might turn to Microcredentials to do the same thing—building a program out for fun or personal interest rather than for Workforce Development. However, we’ve found that it’s better when creating microcredentials is an intentional process. At Miami University Regionals, we don’t approve new microcredentials unless a business or industry signs off on it. We want students to have job opportunities with these credentials, so we must have strategy and meaning behind what we create or offer.
Tuesday, August 8, 2023
Navigating Microcredentials and VFR - Paul Walsh, Evolllution
Higher education does not have one mandated logbook for determining how to get where you are going with microcredentials. Even our accreditors (FAA?) don’t offer much on microcredentials beyond warning of breaching the golden rule of the credit hour. A search for microcredentials on the MSCHE website resulted in zero hits. The EvoLLLution, to its credit, has featured microcredentials over 205 times since the term was coined nearly a decade ago. I’d be preaching to the choir if I repeated everything that has already been written on the benefits of or lessons learned in microcredentialing projects. Allow me to hit some highlights and offer a few visual flight rules regardless of whether you’re sitting at the airport plotting your course and waiting for clear skies or already aloft.
Monday, August 7, 2023
Define, Refine and Design: A Collaborative Approach for Introducing Microcredentials to Your Learning Ecosystem - Jeremy Lingle, Katie Linder, Jason Drysdale, Evollution
Recently at CU Denver, we have focused on shoring up the infrastructure for our microcredential offerings. One core element of this initiative: internal working groups comprised of faculty and staff from a range of campus teams. Our engagement with external partners has also led to some important discoveries as we explore how to respond to learner and market needs nimbly and proactively. Through this collaborative work, we have identified several obstacles and opportunities for introducing microcredentials as a key campus strategy: (1) developing a shared understanding of microcredentials, (2) identifying and prioritizing solutions for process inefficiencies, (3) clarifying resources for determining market need and (4) creating supports for program developers.
Sunday, August 6, 2023
Strategic and Operational Roadblocks to Broad Acceptance of Microcredentials - Mike Jackson and Michelle Alvarez, Evolllution
There is still no agreement among higher education institutions and other entities developing microcredentials as to what constitutes a microcredential, with definitions varying by institution or entity. There are efforts to develop a shared taxonomy, but that effort has not yet been broadly embraced. Institutions launching microcredentials have had to develop their own vision and framework for utilizing microcredentials on their campus, author their own taxonomy, develop a review or governance process, identify the badging platform they will use and develop a process for awarding the badges.
Saturday, August 5, 2023
The On-Ramp to Scaling Microcredentials: Advice from the Acceleration - Lane Arthur Thomas, Evolllution
Depending where your institution seems to be along the continuum—from offering just a few microcredentials to offering many—there are some things to keep in mind if you want to achieve large scale with these types of offerings. Every institution is different, but there are some common principles that can determine how this sort of transformation will evolve. So, as you turn onto the entrance ramp, destined for a significant offering of microcredentials at scale, let’s review a few approaches that can help you pick up speed.
Friday, August 4, 2023
Process Keys to Microcredential Success - Daria LaTorre, Evolllution
As demand for microcredentials continues to grow, it’s critical that institutions focus on fulfilling the mission at the heart of microcredentials—flexible, affordable and relevant short-term education—through collaboration and student centricity.
Institutions may encounter both strategic and operational roadblocks when developing microcredential programs. With so much variety in content and format, it can be a challenge to strategize and launch a plan for a microcredentialing initiative. However, with some thoughtful planning that keeps efficiency at its core, institutions can effectively develop microcredentials to best serve their student learners.
Thursday, August 3, 2023
Upskilling: Why It’s Important and How Higher Education Can Help - Cecilia Buchanan, Fierce Education
Key findings of the report include: Continuous upskilling is not the norm—yet: 80% of U.S. adults expressed some interest in pursuing additional skills training in the next year but only 35% had pursued some form of professional development/upskilling. There is no clear preference for training providers: 15% of U.S. adults said they are not sure where to go if they need to build additional professional or technical skills that are job- or industry-specific. Micro-credentials may hold promise, but they’re not yet widely understood by individuals: 30% of U.S. adults didn’t know how to describe what a micro-credential is in response to an open-ended question.
Wednesday, August 2, 2023
Micro-Credentials and Digital Badging to Become Staple in HR Field, Says Test Preparation Expert HRCP - Yahoo Finance
The global market for online degrees and micro-credentials is expected to reach $117 billion by 2025, as people become more adapted to e-learning settings. According to HRCP, a leading provider of human resource study materials, micro-credentials allow people to learn knowledge or skills in bite-sized chunks and pass an evaluation to earn a credential for a very specific skill or area. These credentials stack, allowing people to earn a digital badge once they've finished a certain set of micro-credentials. Digital badges can be displayed on the person's resume, email signature, or social media as proof of their achievement.
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