Time for Micro-Credentials - Bo Harald, FinExtra

The first step for education and qualification providers in all sectors is to deploy their own identity applications so that citizens can get their skill-credentials to their wallets in the same way from all sources. Providing the economy of repetition, economy of reuse and economy of trust. This will create a market for service providers specialising in helping citizens to deploy wallets, find existing credentials and with the help of AI locate opportunities for new skill credentials. With technology and markets leaping ahead with increasing speed it is obvious that a new approach is needed in education, research and on-the-job learning - the short courses leading to real-time issue of micro-credentials to the job applicants wallet for on-warding to the potential employer - without disclosing names, ages, sexes etc if not needed. 

https://www.finextra.com/blogposting/25466/time-for-micro-credentials

Digital badge and micro credentials cover many industries including biotechnology: Moore About Business - Karen Moore, WGCU

"At the ultimate end of the course, you have this actual digital badge that you can put on your LinkedIn page, your CV, your resume to showcase that you are competent in the competencies that we put forward to be achieved in this course. And then what's unique to Arthrex, is that we guarantee an interview at Arthrex. It doesn't guarantee you a job, but it guarantees you a foot in the door and what an incredible experience to have and to learn from! That is an opportunity in and of itself!"

https://news.wgcu.org/section/business/2024-01-02/digital-badge-and-micro-credentials-cover-many-industries-including-biotechnology-moore-about-business

Geoff Johnson: Changes in society and the workplace call for shift in education - Times-Colonist

The same survey revealed that the most common reasons people gave for changing career paths were discovering a new field they were passionate about (35 per cent), becoming bored/disillusioned with their original work (24 per cent), and setbacks such as lack of advancement and/or cutbacks, layoffs in a career path (19 per cent). Whatever the reason, a common concern among people in their late 20s, 30s, and 40s who are looking for a change is whether they should go back to school. For people in the 35 to 40 age bracket, family, mortgage and a variety of responsibilities stand in the way of that. Enter the relatively new range of micro-credential opportunities offered by universities like Camosun College, the University of Victoria and Royal Roads along with many other universities and colleges across Canada.

https://www.timescolonist.com/opinion/geoff-johnson-changes-in-society-and-the-workplace-call-for-shift-in-education-8033309

Credential Confusion A call for uniformity in practice and terminology. - Mike Simmons and Quintina Barnett Gallion, Inside Higher Ed

“As colleges and universities continue to confront digital transformation, they must ask themselves, ‘What does our core product—the educational credential—evolve to look like in a more data-rich, technology-centric world?’” —Sean Gallagher, Aug. 10, 2023  When the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers joined the “Beyond Transfer” conversation this year, we noted the need to broaden the conversation about transfer and credit mobility to better encompass learning mobility on a global scale. Over the year, our members have reflected on transfer business models, evaluated the transfer student experience, revealed transformation through automation, examined partnership agreements with alternative credential providers, questioned the trust between institutions and affirmed the need for institutions to focus on adult learners.

https://www.insidehighered.com/opinion/blogs/beyond-transfer/2023/12/14/uniformity-practice-and-terms-could-avoid-credential

Microcredentials Confuse Employers, Colleges and Learners - Susan D. A'gustino, Inside Higher Ed

Three recent studies highlight confusion about alternative credentials. But all parties seek quality, verifiable, bite-size, low-priced online offerings targeting specific industries. Reskilling. Upskilling. Certificates. Certifications. Badges. Licenses. Microcredentials. Alternative credentials. Digital credentials. So many terms. So little agreement on what they mean, least of all in higher ed. “Employers say, ‘It’s great that this individual has these skills, but we’ll ask our own questions to verify the learner’s knowledge,’” Kyle Albert, assistant research professor at the George Washington University Institute of Public Policy, said. “It’s a trust-but-verify situation.”

https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2023/03/03/microcredentials-confuse-employers-colleges-and-learners

Apprenticeships Offer ‘Learn and Earn’ Pathways to Opportunity Education - Bruno V. Manno, Walton Family Foundation

Apprenticeship programs, where individuals earn a living while learning with a mentor, are turning the workplace into the new learning campus. This learn-and-earn model is spawning new apprenticeship programs based on traditional registered apprenticeships, including pre-apprenticeships, mini-apprenticeships, youth apprenticeships, and apprenticeship degrees. And a new third-party organization — the apprenticeship intermediary — is being created to expand and run these programs.

https://www.waltonfamilyfoundation.org/stories/education/apprenticeships-offer-learn-and-earn-pathways-to-opportunity

$1,500 Missouri Tax Credits for Internships and Apprenticeships: What Is It? - Aman Jain, 247Wallet

Missouri Gov. Parson signed legislation, called the Intern and Apprentice Recruitment Act, which is included in House Bill 417. This legislation, which easily passed the legislature earlier this year, encourages businesses to boost the number of interns or apprentices. The new legislation “will help increase apprenticeship opportunities, strengthen our workforce, and give Missourians the skills and on-the-job training they need to be successful in their chosen careers,” Gov. Parson said. Under this new legislation, companies will get a $1,500 tax credit for each paid intern or apprentice up to $9,000 for six such positions. A point to note is that the Missouri tax credits for internships and apprenticeships apply only to newly created positions.

https://247wallst.com/economy/2023/08/11/1500-missouri-tax-credits-for-internships-and-apprenticeships-what-is-it/

Apprenticeships and Pre-Apprenticeships - Ohio Department of Education

Apprenticeship is a combination of on-the-job training and related technical instruction. A student must be at least 16 years of age except where a higher minimum age standard is required by law. An apprenticeship program must be registered with The Ohio Apprenticeship Council to teach a skilled occupation pursuant to a registered apprenticeship agreement. Apprenticeship is limited to skilled occupations and trades that meet basic criteria through On-the-Job (OJT) Training and Related Technical Instruction (RTI).

https://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Career-Tech/Apprenticeships-and-Pre-Apprenticeships

The French fintechs offering internships and apprenticeships - Alex McMurray, eFinancial Careers

Established firms aren't the only place to start your financial services career in France. A number of growing French fintechs offer early career jobs. Internships are popular but some French fintechs also offer 'formations en alternance', a sort of degree apprenticeship. French payroll technology startup PayFit is one of France's biggest student hirers. It has 13 internships across its Paris and Barcelona offices, covering everything from sales, to law and data science. It's also hiring four apprentices in Paris, in areas including cybersecurity and talent acquisition.

https://www.efinancialcareers.com/news/2023/09/french-fintech-internships

Internship Vs. Apprenticeship: Let’s Compare - Kayla Missman, Forbes

There’s no better way to learn a job than with hands-on experience. Internships and apprenticeships both offer valuable learning opportunities for new employees, but they serve different purposes. Most people complete one or the other, depending on their career goals. Internships are a common requirement in college degree programs, allowing students to test what they’ve learned in a natural environment. Due to their short-term nature, interns can experience different jobs and companies before committing. In comparison, apprenticeships prepare workers for one specific job. Apprentices work in skilled trades like construction or roles like cybersecurity specialists, electricians, and healthcare assistants.

https://www.forbes.com/advisor/education/student-resources/apprenticeship-vs-internship/

EPISODE 129: RYAN TORMA Creating a Student Experience that Captivates Learners - Modern Campus

In the modern learning landscape, learners require concise and timely education outside the traditional academic calendar. Creating standout programs and fostering collaboration to leverage microcredentials campus-wide are essential for learner success. On this episode, Ryan Torma, Executive Director of Professional Development and Lifelong Learning at the University of Minnesota, discusses how to make microcredential programming stand out to learners and what’s required to make a positive and engaging student experience.

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

The Role of Blockchain in Education App Development - Alena Mage, Medium

The role of blockchain in education app development is becoming increasingly significant as the educational landscape undergoes digital transformation. This blog aims to delve into the multifaceted role that blockchain plays in reshaping the development of education apps.

https://alenamage.medium.com/the-role-of-blockchain-in-education-app-development-1021aeb7a4fe

Supply chain management meets modern analytics in Cornell certificate program - Milan Lengyeltoti, Cornell Chronicle

The eight-week Supply Chain Analytics online certificate program from the Cornell SC Johnson Graduate School of Management equips specialists from various sectors with strategies to master key elements of supply chain management. Li Chen, professor of operations, technology and information management, leads the program. “We know that the future is unpredictable, right? But we still want to make predictions. The idea is to look at historical sales and demand data, and based on that, utilize formulas to make good demand forecasts,” Chen said. “I teach this data-driven approach with a focus on measuring forecast performance as well. Every time you forecast, you should compare it to the actuals to gauge the accuracy of your predictions, so you can refine your methods over time.”

https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2023/12/supply-chain-management-meets-modern-analytics-cornell-certificate-program

On the Job: SkillsRI internship program accepting applications - Melanie DaSilva, WPRI

Skills for Rhode Island’s Future (SkillsRI) is a non-profit, statewide, workforce intermediary that works to help unemployed and underemployed Rhode Islanders gain employment and access to economic mobility. SkillsRI runs the state’s PrepareRI internship programs for rising high school seniors to provide work-based learning opportunities to ensure students have the skills they need to gain employment.

https://www.wpri.com/jobs/on-the-job/on-the-job-skillsri-internship-accepting-applications/

Behind the Scenes at a National Renewable Energy Laboratory Internship - Matilda Bathurst, USC Viterbi

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is a research institute dedicated to innovation in renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. For Morgan Jones, whose thesis in fluid dynamics is supervised by Mitul Luhar, Henry Salvatori Early Career Chair and associate professor of Aerospace & Mechanical Engineering and Civil & Environmental Engineering, NREL has been an ideal site to test out ideas developed in his PhD research. During a previous internship at the Naval Undersea Warefare Center in Newport, Rhode Island, Jones explored bioinspired designs for marine devices with flapping foils as an alternative to traditional propellor-based vehicles – especially relevant when it comes to rethinking energy-efficient sources for underwater robots. In subsequent internships at NREL’s Colorado campus, Jones’ research experience aligned perfectly with one of the organization’s initiatives known as “Powering the Blue Economy” which partly involves investigating the potential ways to extract power from tides and the ocean.

https://viterbischool.usc.edu/news/2023/12/behind-the-scenes-at-a-national-renewable-energy-laboratory-internship/

The Race Is On to Hire Interns for 2025. Really. - Lindsay Ellis, WSJ

The starter pistol has sounded for college internship applications—for the summer of 2025. Companies in finance and accounting are now recruiting for interns nearly 18 months before college students would be expected to start. The investment bank Guggenheim Securities and the Royal Bank of Canada, in addition to accounting stalwarts Grant Thornton and PricewaterhouseCoopers among others, started advertising for 2025 summer internships this fall. Many summer 2024 internship slots are already filled, several companies say.

https://www.wsj.com/lifestyle/careers/companies-are-already-recruiting-their-2025-summer-interns-aa6d78a9

Next PR Seeks Applicants for 2024 Summer Internships - PR Newswire

Next PR, an award-winning, integrated public relations firm, announced today it is accepting applications from December 18, 2023 through February 16, 2024 for its paid summer internship program. The 12-week internship runs from May 27, 2024 through August 15, 2024 at the agency's Denver, Philadelphia and Chicago offices. Interns will gain real-world PR experience with direct client communications and engaging training opportunities. The program is open to rising college juniors and seniors majoring in public relations, communications, journalism or other relevant fields. Interns will work 32 hours per week, Monday through Thursday, with at least two days in office each week. Working alongside experienced PR pros on a diverse range of services, including media/analyst relations, social media management and influencer relations, interns will gain knowledge across the PR and communications industry.

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/next-pr-seeks-applicants-for-2024-summer-internships-302011801.html

Argonne Lab Inspires Young Minds: From Big Data Camp to SULI Internships - HPC Wire

While at the symposium, the sisters met a student STEM ambassador from Argonne, Alice Gao. She presented the research she developed during her Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships (SULI) at Argonne, and encouraged the sisters to try the program, offering tips on how to apply. A year later, Gao encountered the sisters again while waiting for a bus at their university. They happily told her that her advice to them had paid off: they were now SULI summer interns at Argonne, continuing their STEM journey with the institution.

https://www.hpcwire.com/off-the-wire/argonne-national-laboratory-inspires-young-minds-from-big-data-camp-to-suli-internships/

The Rise of Micro-Credentials - Scott Merrill, Business NH Magazine

In its most basic form, a micro-credential is a digital representation of academic achievement or skill gain, says Michael Mengers, director of the Career Advancement and Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of NH (UNH). Unlike a traditional bachelors, master’s or PhD programs, micro-credentials can be tailored to meet the specific needs of employees and employers in a changing job market. More than a million micro-credentials are being offered in the United States and not only by colleges and universities but also other organizations for credit or non-credit. During the first half of 2022, more than 1,700 organizations issued 1.7 million digital credentials, according to Accredible, a certification platform, up from 1,200 organizations in the first half of 2021 when 1.2 million credentials were issued each month.

https://biz.manchesterinklink.com/the-rise-of-micro-credentials/

Taking Action on Planetary Health (online certificate program) - Temerty Medical School, U Toronto

The Taking Action on Planetary Health certificate program focuses on solutions that address the impacts of climate change on human health and ways we can improve the health of our communities. Working in teams, you will apply planetary health principles to a novel and practical planetary health intervention you can immediately implement into clinical practice. Join a community of health professionals committed to planetary health promotion and action. Visit our website to learn more and register. This program will appeal to physicians, nurses, and allied health professionals who are interested in leading change and implementing action to tackle the planetary health crisis.

https://temertymedicine.utoronto.ca/event/taking-action-planetary-health-online-certificate-program

The age of flexibility and inclusivity in higher education through alternative credentials and lifelong learning - UM Extended Education

As the higher education landscape undergoes significant transformation, universities, particularly the University of Manitoba, are increasingly adopting alternative credential frameworks. These frameworks cater to the growing demand for diverse and flexible higher education programs. The University of Manitoba, a pioneer in this field, with its Division of Extended Education, has been at the forefront. In an era marked by rapid technological advancements and shifting economic landscapes, learners require adaptable, accessible education aligned with their personal and professional goals. The University of Manitoba, a leader in Canadian education, was an early adopter of this trend. In 2001, it developed a non-degree taxonomy, updated in 2021 into the Certificate and Diploma framework, encompassing short-cycle learning programs, such as micro-credentials and other non-degree offers, known as Alternative Credentials.

https://news.umanitoba.ca/the-age-of-flexibility-and-inclusivity-in-higher-education-through-alternative-credentials-and-lifelong-learning/