Views from Leaders: Top Questions in Incremental Credentialing Holly Zanville, the Evolllution-

At Credential As You Go’s 2023 Fall Conference, four of the initiative’s leaders shared what they see as the two top questions in the incremental credentialing movement. Their responses are abridged from the transcript of the conference panel (video here) and cover a range of issues including credit/noncredit learning, financial aid, data system relevance, collaboration and innovation within the learn-and-work ecosystem, and an incremental credentialing system’s viability, perceived value and popular acceptance.

https://evolllution.com/views-from-leaders-top-questions-in-incremental-credentialing

Strategies for Success Through Microcredential Standards - Anissa Vega, Modern Campus

To establish microcredentials effectively institution-wide, strong alignment among departments is crucial. This will enable higher ed to offer clear and consistent alternative pathways for learners beyond the conventional academic framework. On this episode, Anissa Vega, Associate Vice Provost of Curriculum and Academic Innovation at Kennesaw State University, discusses aligning continuing education and academic affairs with microcredentialing and the model Kennesaw State has implemented to help learners' career development.

https://moderncampus.com/podcast/episode-onehundredtwentyseven.html

State of Michigan announces $838,000 grant to help Michigan Technological University become national leader in semiconductor education, training programs - Michigan Economic Development Corporation

Using its $838,000 grant from the state, MTU plans to introduce Flexible Semiconductor Technician and Maintenance Micro-Credentials programming through a two-tiered approach.The first model will be the creation of stackable micro-credentials short training courses to educate and strengthen the semiconductor advanced test, assembly and packaging technician workforce in the domestic ecosystem. The topics of these courses will include professional-level skills such as clean room operations, standard operating procedure development and understanding safety data sheets and troubleshooting as well as performing advanced work on wafer and panel-based approaches, tooling and automation, substrate technology and heterogeneous integration.

https://www.michiganbusiness.org/press-releases/2023/11/mtu-semiconductor-grant/

Five best practices for graduate student professional development - LOLEEN BERDAHL, University Affairs Canada

Establish completion records that lead to a credential:

Universities vary in how they record participation and completion of professional skills training. Completion records include letters of completion, co-curricular records and formal micro-credentials such as badges or certificates. Formal microcredentials are seen as having the most external value, particularly if the credential identifies a specific career competency or skill of value to a future employer.

Establish a mix of elective program formats and provide open-access online resources:

Should graduate professional training be in-person, online, intensive, and/or spread over a semester? The universities I spoke with reported numerous program formats to be effective, including annual intensive professional development events, ongoing programming and half-day workshops. What can be particularly helpful is to ensure students have choices through a menu of options. Some students lack the flexibility in their schedules to attend programs or for other reasons are not able to participate. For these students, an online repository of resources, including recorded talks and trainings, is invaluable.

https://www.universityaffairs.ca/career-advice/the-skills-agenda/five-best-practices-for-graduate-student-professional-development/

Evolving the Learning and Employment Ecosystem - Richard Goldgar and Mark McConahay, Inside Higher Ed

There appears to be a disconnect. The workforce is demanding more post-secondary attainment and skills more directly related to employer needs, yet many learners who have earned the expensive credential cannot find employment or a position commensurate with their degree. This has placed public scrutiny on the value and return on post-secondary investment. It seems there may be alignment issues between providers of learning and fulfillment in the employment economy that go beyond the last few years of COVID.

https://www.insidehighered.com/opinion/blogs/beyond-transfer/2023/11/27/5-ways-college-and-universities-support-skills-based

Utilising microcredentials to enhance student success - Anthology, Times Higher Education

“One of the challenges surrounding microcredentials concerns monetisation,” said Lisa Cary, dean of learning and teaching innovation at Charles Sturt University in Australia. “It’s not simply a case of slicing existing courses into smaller chunks.” Microcredentials created through industry partnerships could ensure that university courses are fit to bridge the skills gap plaguing economies across the globe. “For some time, industry has been lacking in terms of engagement with academia,” explained Steven Worrall, regional managing director at Microsoft Australia and New Zealand. “Today, with the size of many skills gaps, industry is realising that it must act as a joint partner with universities in the creation of microcredentials.” “I sometimes wonder if we ask the question from an outdated point of view,” said Alwyn Louw, vice-chancellor of Torrens University in Australia. “In 20 years’ time, universities are likely to be substantially different from how they are today. There is likely to be a new culture and a new perspective in the higher education space – and microcredentials will establish new partnerships with industry.”

https://www.timeshighereducation.com/campus/utilising-microcredentials-enhance-student-success

Ontario investing $5M into micro-credentials - Today's Trucking

Ontario is investing another $5 million through its Micro-credentials Challenge Fund that supports quick skills upgrades for in-demand sectors. Micro-credentials offer training on specific skills or knowledge areas and take less time to complete than degrees or diplomas, the Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Universities says. Eligible postsecondary institutes can receive up to $50,000 to develop or expand rapid training programs.

https://www.trucknews.com/transportation/ontario-investing-5m-into-micro-credentials/1003180060/

‘Micro-credentials’ in pipeline for irrigation industry - Farmers Weekly

The Workforce Development Council for the food and fibre sector, Muka Tangata, is working with the irrigation industry to develop new credentials to better support learners and the industry. Muka Tangata chief executive Jeremy Baker said engagement with the industry has identified the opportunity to create standalone “micro-credentials” that would give learners a quick pathway to demonstrating specific skills in water measurement and reporting. “We’re now working together with the industry to develop and refine these micro-credentials, based on learner outcomes, that will allow companies to gain accreditation to work in the water measurement space.” The work was initiated mid-2023 when Irrigation New Zealand sought Muka Tangata’s support to turn two of its existing NZQA unit standards into “micro-credentials” – small, focused achievement credentials that mean learners can show skills without having to complete larger qualifications.

https://www.farmersweekly.co.nz/news/micro-credentials-in-pipeline-for-irrigation-industry/

Work experience, not college, prepared employees for jobs, study finds - Ginger Crist, Higher Ed Dive

Nearly half of workers (46%) don’t think higher education prepared them for their current jobs, according to a survey released Nov. 8 by online learning platform Go1. Sixty-one percent of the 3,000 full-time office workers surveyed in Australia, the U.S. and the U.K. said work experience was the best preparation for their positions, followed by formal on-the-job training and life experience. Half of the respondents said they wish they had known how to handle career progression prior to entering the workforce. Employees also said they wish they had better understood the fundamentals of the role and how to collaborate across departments. Sixty-six percent of those surveyed said learning and development opportunities make or break their decision to take a job or stay at a company, and 73% said their current employer provides L&D options that meet their needs, the survey found.

https://www.highereddive.com/news/experience-prepared-workers-for-jobs/699746/

AICTE plans to upskill in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science, focuses on ‘ethics’ - Education Times

 The All India Council For Technical Education (AICTE) has directed colleges and technical institutions to widely disseminate the report ‘National Program on Artificial Intelligence’ to promote upskilling in the technical sectors, with a renewed focus on ethics in AI.  The report was prepared by the committee constituted by the Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MieTY) and was issued in June 2023 as a part of MieTY’s ‘National Program on Artificial Intelligence’ (NPAI). The committee listed several programmes on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Data Sciences and other measures to promote upskilling. Recommendations of the committee included skilling of youths in AI and data science should start from the early school levels. Further, the report has suggested a basic curriculum for different levels aligned with the National Higher Education Qualifications Framework (NHEQF) and the National Credit Framework (NCrF).  

https://www.educationtimes.com/article/newsroom/99734187/aicte-plans-to-upskill-in-artificial-intelligence-and-data-science-focuses-on-ethics

Ont. to expand rapid training programs in a variety of manufacturing industries - Canadian Manufacturing

The Ontario government is investing $5 million through the Micro-credentials Challenge Fund, to help more Ontarians quickly upgrade their skills for good-paying jobs in health care, auto, advanced manufacturing and other in-demand sectors. “Our government is bridging the gap between postsecondary education and the labour market to equip learners with the specific skills employers are looking for,” said Jill Dunlop, Minister of Colleges and Universities. “This investment will help institutions create more flexible, industry-relevant micro-credentials that provide learners with a competitive edge in the workforce.” Micro-credentials are complementary to traditional learning and offer learners training focused on specific skills or knowledge areas such as cybersecurity or digital skills. They take less time to complete than degrees and diplomas and provide a way for individuals to demonstrate their skills and abilities to prospective employers.

https://www.canadianmanufacturing.com/manufacturing/ont-to-expand-rapid-training-programs-in-a-variety-of-manufacturing-industries-296249/

Instructure: Filipino students opt for micro-credentials to acquire new skills - Backend News

According to the latest report from Instructure, a learning platform and maker of Canvas Learning Management System (LMS), Filipino students are increasingly opting for skills-based education, aiming to stay competitive and match job market needs.The findings are based on Instructure’s annual global State of Student Success and Engagement in Higher Education report for 2023, conducted in collaboration with Hanover Research. The report, covering 17 countries with 571 participants in the Philippines, highlights key motivations driving Filipino students: the desire for new skills (77%), career growth (68%), program flexibility (59%), and career readiness (56%).

https://backendnews.net/instructure-filipino-students-opt-for-micro-credentials-to-acquire-new-skills/

SKILLS Bridge Masterclass - Small Steps, Big Gains: Micro-credentials for Lifelong Learning - International Labour Organization

In the framework of the “SKILLS Bridge” Masterclass series, a joint initiative by the ILO, World Bank and UNESCO, the last episode discussed the topic “Small Steps, Big Gains: Micro-credentials for Lifelong Learning.” The episode explored the opportunities and challenges of implementing micro-credentials in national skills systems.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOMB8VJIhn8

Is there significant potential for apprenticeships in the US market? - Kathryn Moody, Higher Ed Dive

Nearly 128 million U.S. workers — about 70% of the entire US workforce — could stand to benefit from apprenticeships and on-the-job learning opportunities, opening up a key cohort of trained workers for employers, according to a Nov. 13 report by Multiverse and the Burning Glass Institute. Apprenticeships still remain outside the mainstream in the U.S., the report said, but a U.S. workforce that would follow the U.K.’s “mature apprenticeship” system could host over 830,000 new apprenticeship opportunities per year, leading to $28.5 billion in wage increases.

https://www.highereddive.com/news/potential-for-apprenticeship-automation/700497/

Using digital innovation to navigate challenges of student recruitment and retention - Times Higher Education

Microcredentials and other alternatives available to learners have increased the need for a student-centric approach, said Fadi Aloul, dean of engineering at the American University of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates. Aloul said that his university focuses on “the three Rs” to improve the student journey. “We want to recruit the best students, we want to retain the students and we want to reward them with a degree,” he said. Aloul said that the digital evolution of the education sector during the Covid-19 pandemic showed that technology can assist teachers in improving the student experience. This has resulted in technology being embedded across all areas of student learning and life. He added that personalised communication is a key part of successful digital transformation.

https://www.timeshighereducation.com/campus/using-digital-innovation-navigate-challenges-student-recruitment-and-retention

Why reengaging stopped-out students provides a well of opportunity for enrollment - Alcino Donadel, University Business

More colleges and universities are stepping away from focusing on enrolling potential prospects, opting to reengage with stopped-out students. Colleges overlooking this cohort may not be aware of the data that illustrates they’re ripe for picking. Despite freshman enrollment dropping this fall, overall undergraduate enrollment grew for the first time since the pandemic thanks to swaths of students choosing to reenroll, many of whom dropped during the pandemic. For example, Middlebury College was offering its third- and fourth-year students $10,000 to take the fall and spring semesters off due to an abscess of enrollment, Seven Days reports. Moreover, a survey from StraighterLine and UPCEA found that 61% of stopped-out students were either extremely, very or somewhat likely to return to school and earn a degree. This is great news for schools seeing their traditional-aged student prospects dwindling.

https://universitybusiness.com/why-reengaging-stopped-out-students-provide-a-well-of-opportunity-for-enrollment/

Rail microcredentials to be offered by Deakin University - RAY CHAN, Rail Express

Rail-specific courses will be offered at Victoria’s Deakin University for the first time next year, after an agreement was signed with the Australasian Railway Association (ARA) to co-develop the curriculum in postgraduate and undergraduate engineering degrees. ARA Chief Executive Officer Caroline Wilkie signed the agreement with Douglas Creighton, Professor of Systems Engineering and the Director of the Institute for Intelligent Systems Research and Innovation (IISRI) at Deakin University, at the AusRAIL PLUS 2023 conference, which ends today. “This is a significant milestone towards addressing the current significant skills gap in rail and creating a more sustainable workforce to enable a thriving industry in the future,” she said.

https://www.railexpress.com.au/rail-microcredentils-to-be-offered-by-deakin-university/

Asbury University introduces “digital badges” for online learning - Bryce Martin, Asbury Collegian

Asbury University’s Media Communications department is implementing a new way for students to build workforce skills with “digital badges.” Digital badges are short online-learning experiences that provide specialized education for specific career paths. They are intended to advance students’ career qualifications and to signal those qualifications to employers through social media. “Badges often give more information to potential employers than a transcript because they show the commitment that adult learners and badge earners give to lifelong learning including ongoing professional development,” Asbury’s introductory web page on digital badges reads.

https://www.theasburycollegian.com/2023/11/asbury-university-introduces-digital-badges-for-online-learning/

Murujuga Rangers help create "first of its kind" qualifications in monitoring rock art - Giovanni Torre, National Indigenous Times (Australia)

Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation Rangers are helping to create a suite of university level "micro-credentials" for monitoring the rock art of Murujuga – the first of its kind in Australia, and likely the world. Developed by Curtin University in support of its participation in the Murujuga Rock Art Monitoring Program that is being led by MAC and the WA Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, the micro-credentials each are valued at five credits that can count toward the completion of an undergraduate certificate or degree. There are five micro-credentials in development, covering different components of the Murujuga Rock Art Monitoring Program: Passive air quality monitoring; Realtime air quality monitoring; Geochemistry; Spectroscopy; and Health and safety. Each requires 30 hours of online and in-person learning, plus practical learning and assessments on country.

https://nit.com.au/15-11-2023/8639/murujuga-rangers-create-first-of-its-kind-qualifications-in-monitoring-rock-art

Digital Certification for Future Leaders - Lucy Bennett, iLounge

The importance of digital certificates in today’s quickly changing digital world cannot be emphasized. These certificates recognize and validate individuals’ talents and achievements in various disciplines, including career growth, education, and even personal hobbies. Digital certificates, including digital badges are electronic papers that certify an individual’s skills or accomplishments. They function as the digital version of paper certificates, degrees, or licenses. Educational institutions, training groups, and other certifying authorities frequently provide digital certificates. They provide various benefits, including: 

Security: To guarantee the authenticity and integrity of the document, digital certificates employ digital signatures and encryption. They are, therefore, challenging to fake or alter. 

Accessibility: People may readily discuss and exhibit their accomplishments on various digital platforms and social media, thanks to their online accessibility.

https://www.ilounge.com/articles/digital-certification-for-future-leaders

The College of Charleston Partners with Coursera to Equip Students, Faculty and Staff with In-Demand Skills - Associated Press

The College of Charleston is partnering with global online learning platform, Coursera, to launch a new program to provide industry-branded micro-credentials to students, faculty and staff at no cost. Students will be able to earn professional certificates for in-demand workplace skills that will complement any academic major or minor. Faculty and staff will also be able to earn professional certificates through flexible, online training. “This partnership will provide members of the College of Charleston community the opportunity to build skills using resources from some of the world’s leading companies,” said College of Charleston President Andrew T. Hsu. “As one of the oldest colleges in the nation, the College of Charleston is setting the blueprint for other liberal arts institutions to follow.” 

https://apnews.com/press-release/globenewswire-mobile/colleges-and-universities-e6432baf50050046f06063cceee56220