In the past few years, there has been a major shift in skills training and education upgrading in Canada, which has gone under the radar. Microcredentials, otherwise known as MicroCreds, have ballooned in numbers and popularity, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic, and now educational institutions across Canada offer them. A white paper released today by Express Employment Professionals delves into the who, what, where, when, why and how of microcredentials. For years, the Canadian economy has suffered from a skills mismatch—unemployed Canadians do not have the necessary skills for the jobs currently open.
Monday, November 6, 2023
Sunday, November 5, 2023
Microcredentials and Certificates at Oregon State University
In-demand skills. Career-building education.
Employers everywhere need professionals with the knowledge to help their businesses thrive. By earning an Oregon State University microcredential or certificate online, you’ll develop the highly specialized skills you need to boost your career and stand out in the job market. These high-quality offerings give you the ability to study a variety of focused subject areas in less time than a full degree program.
Saturday, November 4, 2023
Microcredentialing, Digital Credentials, Digital Badging, and Digital Certificates at Rutgers University
A Microcredential is a short, competency-based recognition that enables an educator to document a learner's mastery in a particular area. When these are digitally presented to learners, they are known as Digital Credentials. Digital Badges and Digital Certificates (collectively referred to as "Digital Credentials") are shareable electronic documentation of this learning. All Digital Credentials are Microcredentials, and some Microcredentials have Digital Badges or Digital Certificates to document the accomplished learning. Microcredential programs break down learning into smaller components, and may incorporate co-curricular and extracurricular activity, or may be conducted outside of credit-related learning. Digital Badges and Digital Certificates are structured into competencies that may align with the interest of prospective employers and graduate education programs, with verifiable assessments for measuring learning outcomes.
Friday, November 3, 2023
Micro-credentials and Badges - University of Denver
A micro-credential is a small class, workshop, or program that students can enroll in in order to gain relevant skills needed for today’s workforce. A digital badge is the visual representation of having earned a micro-credential and can be shared on various online platforms to showcase the earner’s achievement.
Why enroll in a Micro-credential course?
Choose what skills you want to develop. Micro-credentials differ from a degree, minor, or certificate program in that you only register for the courses offering the skills you wish to learn.
Combine several badges into a larger micro-credential program. Enroll in several related badges to earn a larger, overarching micro-credential.
Thursday, November 2, 2023
Top 5 Ways to Implement Digital Badging on Your Campus - Suitable Knowledge Center
At one time, grades and the promise of a bachelor’s degree were enough to keep college students engaged toward meeting their academic and professional goals. These days, Generation Z – who came of age in a digital world with more distractions than ever before – needs more. This is where micro-credentials and digital badging come into play.
Wednesday, November 1, 2023
Indigenous Policing Micro-Credentials offered at Lethbridge College - Angela Stewart - Bridge City News
A series of Indigenous Policing Micro-Credentials is now being offered at Lethbridge College for public safety professionals. It’s broken up into six mini courses and can be completed online at the individual’s own pace. Trudi Mason, the Dean of the Centre for Justice and Human Services explains how these courses came to be. “A couple years ago, the former chief of police of the Blood Tribe Police Service came to me and asked if I was familiar with the Rolf Inquiry. And I actually was not familiar with the Rolf inquiry. So that day he taught me quite a few things. And one of the things that he showed me was that in the 1991 recommendations included that Lethbridge College would be involved in developing or helping educate police members who are policing on a nation to help them understand the Blackfoot culture and the uniqueness of policing on a Blackfoot nation.” The report also specified that the college should take a leading role in bridging cultural differences. Mason says she then approached Lowell Yellow Horn, the Manager of Indigenous Services at the college, with the idea. Yellow Horn explains the importance behind offering these courses to safety professionals.
Tuesday, October 31, 2023
Education leaders look to university-business partnerships to advance Florida’s workforce - Caden DeLisa, Capitolist
Top education leaders at the Florida Chamber of Commerce’s forum emphasized aligning post-secondary education with industry needs. Valencia College collaborates with local businesses to develop courses based on industry needs. State universities have begun focusing on micro-credentials, offering ‘digital badges’ to students who demonstrate proficiency in specific industry skills. Other institutions are integrating business feedback into curriculum design, emphasizing both industry-specific knowledge and professional “soft” skills.
Monday, October 30, 2023
Success after service: The veteran’s guide to choosing an online certificate program - Teresa Duncan, Cornell Chronicle
Transitioning from active duty to civilian life can lead to a profound sense of fulfillment and significant challenges. Many veterans are equipped with industry-specific service experience, but complex job markets still often present obstacles to employment. Online certificate programs offer veterans opportunities to acquire new skills and knowledge, demonstrate commitment to particular career fields and build networks of like-minded leaders – all essential factors in securing professional roles. However, selecting the right program is key. Here are four questions veterans should consider when determining which online education programs would be most valuable for their future.
Sunday, October 29, 2023
Microcredentials and badges are the future - Lee Maxey, Chief Learning Officer
Microcredentials, defined as “short, competency-based recognition,” offer agile and efficient pathways for corporations that want to train new employees or upskill current ones. “Stacked” microcredentials can be grouped to award badges, which imply a level of competency in a specific area. In some cases, microcredentials could eventually lead to certificates or even more traditional degrees. I can’t emphasize enough how different this paradigm shift is for both corporations and higher education. A few years ago, I attended a panel on self-driving vehicles. The panelists described what we might expect from self-driving cars in the years ahead. They predicted a time of significant transition. When the world moves fully to self-driving vehicles, fewer accidents will occur. However, the in-between phase, when self-driving vehicles share the road with regular vehicles, will be a messy and complicated time.
Saturday, October 28, 2023
Microcredentials For Maximum Impact: Best Practices For Companies - Gregory Crawford, Forbes
Microcredentials have become an international movement; leaders held a global summit in Spain earlier this year. But the fledgling field currently lacks professional standards, best practices or quality control to ensure people who earn badges or certificates have acquired the skills employers expect. Agencies such as UNESCO, the University of Texas system, Colleges and Institutes Canada and the State University of New York are working to develop consistent frameworks. A survey by Coursera found that 88% of U.S. employers believe microcredentials enhance a resume. Nearly 40% have hired someone with a microcredential. Nonetheless, adding microcredentials to some hiring platforms remains a challenge for many employers.
Friday, October 27, 2023
UTA EXPANDS MICROCREDENTIAL PROGRAM TO ALL MAVERICKS - Jeff Carlton, UT Arlington
Students, employees and alumni of The University of Texas at Arlington will have free access to an expanded microcredential program that can prepare them with high-demand training under a new initiative launching immediately through the University. Mavericks can access 40 professional certificates from leading companies such as Google, Salesforce, IBM, Meta and Intuit through the Coursera Career Academy platform. The certificates span 29 different areas and focus on specific skills for careers in cybersecurity, data analytics, IT support, social media marketing, front- and back-end development, career coaching, human resources and more. The credentials are at no cost to all current Maverick students, employees and alumni. Hands-on projects and interactive assessments allow Mavericks to apply their skills in real-world scenarios and practice using workplace tools. Upon completion, they will earn career-focused credentials to enhance their qualifications for the job market.
Thursday, October 26, 2023
Inside HLC’s new effort to vet outside credential providers - Natalie Schwartz, Higher Ed Dive
The accreditor recently launched an initiative called the Credential Lab, which will implement an evaluation model for outside content providers. With a $250,000 grant from the Lumina Foundation to partially support the initiative, HLC’s Credential Lab will develop and implement an evaluation model for vetting the quality of alternative credential providers. “There’s new content providers coming into the picture,” said HLC President Barbara Gellman-Danley. “There’s an overwhelming need to have some group — or multiple groups — say there’s a quality assurance of these particular providers.”
Wednesday, October 25, 2023
Improving Filipinos’ employability with UPOU Micro-credential Courses - Sun Star
A microcredential is proof that attests to a person's knowledge and skills in a particular subject or area. A learner receives a micro-credential after passing an assessment or successfully completing and passing the required assessment in a particular micro-course. As stipulated in the Roadmap, a UPOU microcredential is expected to be relevant, focused, assessment-based, portable, flexible, and quality-assured. UPOU envisions itself as a key player in equipping Filipinos through continuous and flexible learning. With the official launch of the Roadmap to Microcredentials, UP Open University solidifies its commitment to shaping the future of education and supporting learners in their pursuit of excellence and lifelong learning. As microcredentials continue to gain momentum as a valuable tool in education, UPOU's visionary roadmap paves the way for a brighter, more dynamic future of learning and professional development.
Tuesday, October 24, 2023
Employability: An existential crisis for higher education - Simon Marginson, University World News
Recently Dirk Van Damme, former head of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD) Centre for Educational Research and Innovation, questioned the expansion of participation in higher education in International Higher Education. “There are pressing signs that high levels of university attainment do not have only positive effects on societies and economies,” Van Damme stated, noting “graduate underemployment, overqualification, mismatches and substitution effects”. More promising, he said, is “the rapidly expanding interest in short programmes and non-traditional certifications such as microcredentials”. Shifting to microcredentials would mean that provider status no longer matters. It seems that microcredentials are the new route to equity.
Monday, October 23, 2023
Higher education cornerstone of workforce - Muskogee Phoenix Editorial Board
Oklahoma needs a qualified workforce to compete in today’s economy. The chancellor of the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education presented an encouraging portrait of how the state’s colleges and universities help meet that need. Allison D. Garrett told those gathered at the State of Education luncheon this week that colleges keep finding new ways to support Oklahoma’s workforce. Garrett said career-focused credentials — micro-credentials — are one way colleges help Oklahoma businesses and industries. Employees can pursue micro-credentials online to boost their careers and the micro-credentials will count toward an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. This is one way to improve career advancement while on the job. Micro-credentials will provide additional skills to anyone who needs them.
Sunday, October 22, 2023
Educause '23: AI Tutors to Play Critical Role in Upskilling - Brandon Paykamian, Government Technology
As artificial intelligence tools and platforms continue to improve, AI-assisted tutoring could play a major role in upskilling students for tech-related careers, according to executives from the IT skill-building platform Vocareum. Speaking at the annual Educause conference Wednesday, Vocareum’s VP of Learning and Enablement Rochana Golani said educators and IT trainers should focus on encouraging critical-thinking skills and hands-on learning. She said this is especially important for teaching students new skills in emerging technology fields such as cloud computing and data science, as well as ever-changing AI-related careers. “One of the areas that we are exploring now is this idea of an AI tutor, and that is basically that the teaching assistant is AI. So, the lead instructor is still doing all of the teaching. They are the subject matter expert. But for most commonly answered questions, you're now going to AI instead of a teaching assistant," she said. "And this is still early days.
Saturday, October 21, 2023
The Power of Micro-Credentials, Certificates, and Degrees - Sheila Boysen-Rotelli, TD
In today’s rapidly evolving professional landscape, the quest for continuous learning and skill development is essential for career success. Nowhere is this more evident than in the training and development field. Professionals dedicated to enhancing the workforce’s skills and knowledge must continually upskill themselves to meet the ever-changing demands of their roles. One effective way to do this is by pursuing a higher education graduate degree, graduate certificate, or micro-credential, which can significantly support your journey toward career advancement in the training and development sector. Here are six ways these options can benefit you.
Friday, October 20, 2023
4 ways to align higher education with in-demand workplace skills - Brad Koch, eCampus News
Higher education plays a crucial role in preparing students with the right skills to meet current and future workforce needs, providing one of the best drivers of economic mobility. Learners gain the necessary preparation for a successful career, and the workforce needs a new generation of workers brimming with essential skills and ideas. However, today’s rapidly evolving job landscape is making it more challenging, with a recent Salesforce report revealing only 11 percent of students felt prepared for the workforce. To equip students with in-demand workplace skills for their future paths, institutions need to better align curricula with current and future industry trends. According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2023, 44 percent of workers’ core skills are expected to change in the next five years.
Thursday, October 19, 2023
Regional nurses to upskill for free - Mirage News
La Trobe's Rural Health School is offering free places for registered nurses to build skills specific to rural nursing at a time of acute skills shortages in rural healthcare. Enrolments are now open for the Professional Certificate in Rural Nursing Practice, which is designed to retain and strengthen the rural nursing workforce, as part of the Australian Government's Micro-Credential Pilot Program. The certificate includes five micro-credentials to meet the needs of rural nurses, including in digital health and assessments for rural paediatric, adult, and older patients.
Wednesday, October 18, 2023
USC Launches Innovative Online Certificate Programs: Law and Government, Technology and Entrepreneurship Law - Business Wire
The University of Southern California Gould School of Law announces the launch of two online graduate certificate programs: Law and Government, and Technology and Entrepreneurship Law. These cutting-edge graduate certificates are designed to equip professionals with the essential knowledge and skills needed to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of law, technology and governance. “These new online certificate programs exemplify USC Gould's commitment to interdisciplinary education and preparing our students for the challenges and opportunities of today's legal landscape” As industries continue to undergo rapid transformation in the digital age, the intersection of law and government, as well as technology and entrepreneurship, has become increasingly complex. USC Gould, known for its excellence and innovation in legal education, is at the forefront of addressing emerging areas of law through its new online certificates.
Tuesday, October 17, 2023
SUNY Chancellor King Announces Registration is Open for Direct Support Microcredentials - SUNY
State University of New York Chancellor John B. King, Jr. today announced the start of the direct support microcredential program approved earlier this year to provide training that leads to national certification in the field of developmental disabilities. The program was developed in partnership with the New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) to recognize the distinct skills and competencies required of today's direct support professionals. The first classes will begin at Niagara County Community College and will roll out at other participating colleges across the state through early fall including: SUNY Corning, Dutchess Community College, Empire State University, Finger Lakes Community College, Fulton-Montgomery Community College, Jefferson Community College, Mohawk Valley Community College, SUNY Morrisville, Onondaga Community College, SUNY Schenectady, and Tompkins Cortland Community College.
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