Over 300 university accredited micro-credentials have been launched on a new platform called MicroCreds.ie which the Irish Universities Association (IUA) says is the first of its kind in Europe. More will be added as they are developed. The launch by two government ministers on Tuesday is the result of research and planning by the association in cooperation with seven of its members and with enterprise stakeholders – all partners in the ambitious MicroCreds Project which started in 2020 at a cost of €12.3 million (US$13.8 million). The courses, typically between four and 12 weeks in length, are delivered either fully or partially online and deal with key skill areas such as sustainability, digital transformation, aircraft leasing and fintech. Fees range from €250 to €2,000.
Monday, October 16, 2023
Sunday, October 15, 2023
Millions of UK University Credentials Found on Dark Web - Phil Muncaster, InfoSecurity Magazine
According to the latest figures, there were nearly 2.2 million students studying at UK higher education institutions in 2021/22, including 680,000 international students, plus an additional 234,000 staff. That makes the size of the discovery potentially significant, although there’s no information on how many of the affected individuals are still at university. Crossword Cybersecurity highlighted the potential risk to sensitive research, if threat actors are able to access user accounts with compromised credentials. It said that over half (54%) of breached credentials came from UK universities with research facilities, with government-funded programs in areas like nuclear energy and defense potentially at risk.
Saturday, October 14, 2023
Today's Credentials - Lumina
The country needs a comprehensive learning system that ensures opportunities for individuals to earn meaningful credentials that are widely available and distributed fairly. Without significant changes to better tailor higher learning for today’s students, American society, the national economy, and individual citizens will experience profound consequences. A coherent approach to designing academic and training programs would lead to credentials that affordably position people for informed citizenship and success in a global economy. This emerging system should be easy to understand, clear about costs and outcomes, and prepare people for better work and lives and even more learning. Degrees and other credentials remain the currency for verifying what people know and that they can apply their knowledge and skills.
Friday, October 13, 2023
A New Campaign to End Unpaid Internships - Johanna Alonso, Inside Higher Ed
Research by NACE shows that paid internships benefit graduates far more than unpaid ones. Now the organization is pushing for legislation to ban the latter. Unpaid internships have long faced scrutiny for their inaccessibility, especially for lower-income students who can’t afford to work for free. Now the National Association of Colleges and Employers is taking a firm stance against unpaid internships, arguing in a new campaign—called Unpaid Is Unfair—that such internships should be outlawed nationally. “Congress should pass legislation requiring internships to be paid,” the organization wrote in a position statement released Tuesday.
Thursday, October 12, 2023
MICROLEARNING: BITE-SIZED LESSONS FOR ON-DEMAND KNOWLEDGE - eLearning Inside
A recent study on microlearning and flipped classrooms (FC) that this type of learning can improve student engagement and motivation by breaking apart educational content into smaller chunks. This innovative approach is poised to play a pivotal role in the future of education and many e-learning software developers are already introducing e-learning elements to their solutions. Microlearning is an educational strategy that involves delivering small, bite-sized lessons or pieces of information to learners. These lessons are typically brief, focused, and designed to address a specific learning objective or skill.
Wednesday, October 11, 2023
Inclusive Leadership: Micro-Credentials Empowering Workplace Diversity Bojana Ristic - Bojana Ristic, Best Stocks
In today’s ever-evolving professional landscape, the importance of diversity and inclusion in the workplace cannot be overstated. Creating environments where everyone feels valued, respected, and included is not just a moral imperative but also a strategic advantage for organizations. Micro-credentials, short and focused courses designed to enhance specific skills, are playing a pivotal role in driving the transformation toward more inclusive leadership within workplaces. In this article, we will explore how micro-credentials are equipping leaders with the essential skills to foster diversity and inclusion, ultimately reshaping the dynamics of modern organizations.
Tuesday, October 10, 2023
How higher ed can set students up for successful internships - Nicole Engelbert, eCampus News
Higher education institutions must look beyond graduation goals and invest in the tools and programs to help students succeed after graduation. Students report feeling immense pressure to find internships for career success. Higher-ed institutions are using technology to help, such as implementing career-oriented technology solutions. Over the past several years, it appears that internships, and not just the summer before senior year, have shifted from a nice-to-have—a fun way to gain hands-on work experience in a student’s prospective career field while also earning college credits or an income—to a must-have. This shift puts additional pressures on students who feel that the path from high school, to college, to gainful employment is a high-stakes and highly competitive one.
Monday, October 9, 2023
AIIA: more tech development support needed - Technology Decisions
“Jobs of the future need to be a priority and the focus needs to be on encouraging and supporting students to seek careers in technology. Showing students and parents the many benefits that a career in digital technology provides, including the high demand for these skills and in turn the wide range of employment opportunities and strong remuneration, will support increased enrolment. As such, greater partnerships between education providers and employers to showcase the employment pathway for graduates are needed. Bush said micro-credentials are an effective educational pathway to upskill the workforce.
Sunday, October 8, 2023
7 Steps to Upskill Your Workforce for the AI Era - Fisher Phillips
How prepared is your workforce for the ongoing AI revolution? It’s not about replacing humans with robots – it’s about reshaping the roles of your employees. As Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum Klaus Schwab recently said, “In the new world, it’s not the big fish which eats the small fish, it’s the fast fish which eats the slow fish.” Your existing workforce will need to learn new skills to perform the job functions that will predominate over the five years. But what skills should be prized? And how should you carry out your mission? Here are seven steps to get the job done.
Saturday, October 7, 2023
Internships are key to success for students who seek a career in museums - Stacey Edison, JagWire, Augusta University
“Before I got this internship, I really thought that working in museums was more of like an abstract thing. I thought, ‘Oh, that would be really cool. But there is no way. That’s never going to happen,’” Phillips said. “But by getting into the museum studies program here at Augusta University, I realized like, ‘No, you actually can go out and do this. It’s not just something that would be a nice thing. You can actually do it and make this a career.’”
Friday, October 6, 2023
How to upskill developers in the wake of AI - Emma Chervek , SDX Central
Active demand for generative artificial intelligence (genAI) skills increased 20-fold this year, and research suggests that upskilling and reskilling are part of the answer for many IT organizations. And despite the useful capabilities of AI in software development, it’s only exacerbating the need for skilled developers. Talent shortages represent the main roadblock to successful data and analytics initiatives, according to Gartner’s 2023 survey of chief data officers (CDOs). The obvious solution is to “get more people into software development,” OutSystems VP of developers Miguel Baltazar told SDxCentral. “The needs are just insane.”
Thursday, October 5, 2023
10 Top Artificial Intelligence Certifications 2023 Explore the top 10 AI certifications and learn how to get certified – and improve your career - Aminu Abdullahi, eWeek
AI certifications demonstrate understanding and competence in various aspects of AI, such as machine learning, natural language processing, computer vision, robotics, and AI software. The demand for professionals with AI certifications is great: The artificial intelligence market size is projected to grow from $515.31 billion in 2023 to more than $2 trillion by 2030, at a scorching CAGR of 21.6% – and with this growth comes enormous demand for AI experts.
Wednesday, October 4, 2023
New Sac State cultural competency certificate helps professionals better serve vulnerable populations - Jonathan Morales, CSU Sacramento
A new certificate program at Sacramento State will train those in law enforcement, social services, and other professionals to work across cultures so they can better serve the region’s vulnerable populations. The Cultural Competency Certificate Program, which Sac State’s College of Continuing Education launched this month, will provide participants with knowledge, skills, and techniques that can assist them in their work with the homeless, immigrants, victims of sexual violence, and other marginalized and at-risk groups. The certificate was designed in response to current events, organizers said, including a national conversation about race and policing. It is aimed at providing its participants with important career skills and bolstering the regional workforce’s ability to respond effectively and compassionately to critical issues and incidents.
Tuesday, October 3, 2023
UD PCS INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN CERTIFICATE MEETS ONLINE LEARNING NEEDS - Lisa Walenceus, UDaily
When she joined the University of Delaware Division of Professional and Continuing Studies (UD PCS) digital learning team in 2016, Aviva Heyn had no idea how significant her work would become. One of her first projects was updating the RN Refresher online course, a UD PCS certificate program designed to prepare nurses who have been away from the profession to be licensed again. This certificate program was made critical by the shortage of nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her latest project for UD PCS is an Instructional Design Certificate program to introduce people to the world of instructional design and prepare them to use learning theory and multimedia tools to create engaging online learning experiences.
Monday, October 2, 2023
Upskilling - Future Proof Your Career - Taylor Gatonni, WILX
Industrial automation, the launch of the internet, and now AI technology like Chat GPT keeps changing how people do their jobs. Failing to keep up with changing technologies can leave you jobless; thankfully, there are things you can do to future proof your career. Companies are constantly looking for ways to increase efficiency while lowering costs. Bringing in new technology can quickly achieve that goal. But, it’s a goal not easily obtained by all. Implementing new technologies can leave some workers who are unable to quickly adapt out of a job. However, you can remain a valuable asset with upskilling. Upskilling is the process of learning new skills to stay current and competitive in your field.
Sunday, October 1, 2023
City earns five International Economic Development Council awards - Barrie Today
The City of Barrie has been recognized by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) for three economic development initiatives. The city’s Invest Barrie team was presented with five awards during the IEDC Annual Conference held in Dallas, Tex. The awards included:
Gold in the Partnerships with Educational Institutions category for the Rapid Skills Micro-Credentials project
Gold in the Paid Advertising Campaign category for the Invest Barrie Entrepreneurship Campaign
Silver in the Talent Development and Retention category for the Rapid Skills Micro-Credentials project
Silver in the Multimedia/Video Pro
Saturday, September 30, 2023
This major accreditation body is helping legitimize alternative credentials - Alcino Donadel, University Business
“As the largest institutional accreditor, we have directly witnessed the rapid expansion of alternative credentials and the confusion and questions about quality and return on investment that has resulted—both for colleges and universities and for learners,” says HLC President Dr. Barbara Gellman-Danley, according to a press release. The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) is launching a new initiative to tackle the proliferation of alternative credential programs as higher education embraces new business models amid a changing landscape. HLC’s Credential Lab will begin developing, testing and applying a new assurance structure for colleges and universities in order to create a framework that analyzes the quality of credentials offered by third-party providers. The HLC accredits institutions in over 19 states.
Friday, September 29, 2023
A New Campaign to End Unpaid Internships - Johanna Alonzo, Inside Higher Ed
Research by NACE shows that paid internships benefit graduates far more than unpaid ones. Now the organization is pushing for legislation to ban the latter. Unpaid internships have long faced scrutiny for their inaccessibility, especially for lower-income students who can’t afford to work for free. Now the National Association of Colleges and Employers is taking a firm stance against unpaid internships, arguing in a new campaign—called Unpaid Is Unfair—that such internships should be outlawed nationally. "Congress should pass legislation requiring internships to be paid,” the organization wrote in a position statement released Tuesday.
Thursday, September 28, 2023
New Green Economy Investments Boost Calgary's Workforce - Mirage News
More than $143.8 million in funding under the Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program's Green Economy Stream will be allocated to nine organizations for national projects: Project name: Unlocking Canada's Green Potential: Diverse Talent to Accelerate Clean Economic Growth. Description: The project will deliver a series of online tools, training and leadership courses, micro-credentials, certifications, mentorship opportunities and wage subsidies. The project will also promote skills assessment, training and tools to support clean economy employers, and develop justice, equity, diversity and inclusion training. It will also update labour market data, improve access and career pathways for new entrants, and recruit participants from equity-deserving groups.
Wednesday, September 27, 2023
Micro-Credentials Could Begin To Resolve the Nursing Shortage in as Little as One Month - MedCity News
Hospitals across the country are desperately struggling to find nurses. Traditional nursing programs take years of schooling with costs running to more than $100,000. Nursing schools meanwhile compete desperately for available faculty and for clinical settings where students can practice. But the aging population and changing healthcare delivery models continue to drive demand for nurses higher.
There is a creative way to address these problems:
- Create new apprenticeship-style programs for nursing assistants and medical assistants with an education partner.
- Recruit a new type of healthcare employee – often a person who is seeking to change careers to a more dynamic and higher paying field.
- Invest in that new type of employee from day one, supporting them in their acquisition of micro-credentials that lead to higher nursing certifications and compensation.
Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Numerous PNW staff members earn inclusion microcredentials - Purdue University Northwest
Michael Lynn, left, interim chair of the departments of English and World Languages and History, Philosophy, Politics and Economics and professor of History, poses with his certificate with Aaron Bolton, regional customer service director with ACUE. A total of 88 Purdue University Northwest (PNW) academic and non-academic staff members and administrators earned microcredentials centered on cultivating inclusive and welcoming environments through the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE). Several university business units invested in professional development opportunities for multiple faculty and staff members during summer 2023 to participate in ACUE’s “Fostering a Culture of Belonging” microcredential course.
https://www.pnw.edu/numerous-pnw-staff-members-earn-inclusion-microcredentials/
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