Students need more educational choices after high school - Cindy Cisneros, Hechinger Report

Education leaders have long called for expanded postsecondary pathways. College isn’t for everyone. Unfortunately, many college alternatives, especially career and technical education programs, have a complicated history. In the past, these programs have been criticized for funneling students from low-income families into low-paying jobs. That criticism reinforced a stigma around such programs and led to their decline. Now, a growing number of employers are shifting away from degree requirements and embracing nondegree and skills-based credentials. Still, a significant gap remains between employers’ intended approach and actual hiring practices. This dissonance signals that college degrees will not become obsolete in the foreseeable future, and employers will still need a way to assess the workplace value of a degree or credential.

https://hechingerreport.org/opinion-students-need-more-educational-choices-after-high-school/

Getting on the same page: 5 tips for credentialing success - Elizabeth Loutfi-Hipchen, Chief Learning Officer

The world of credentials—badges, alternative degrees, nano-credentials, micro-credentials!—is vast and nuanced. In this Q&A with Chief Learning Officer, Dr. Nancy Coleman, Harvard University’s dean of continuing education, shares her “Fast Five”—recommendations for success in the world of credentialing, and provides insight into the transformative role of alternative credentials in today’s job market.

https://www.chieflearningofficer.com/2024/11/19/getting-on-the-same-page-5-tips-for-credentialing-success/

Victoria’s Educational Leaders invited to apply for powerful learning opportunity - Freya Lucas, the Sector AU

Through the Best Start, Best Life (BSBL) reforms, the Victorian Department of Education has engaged Queensland University of Technology (QUT), in partnership with the Early Learning and Care Council of Australia (ELACCA) to deliver the VELP. After a successful inaugural delivery to a cohort of 200 Educational Leaders in 2024, expressions of interest for the second cohort in Term 2 2025 are now open.

There are 2 micro-credentials on offer: VELP Foundations – designed for new Educational Leaders with 1-2 years’ experience. This credential focuses on the fundamentals of how to be an Educational Leader, including leadership skills, change management theory, facilitating team teaching, and observation and assessment.

VELP Advanced – designed for experienced Educational Leaders with 2+ years’ experience. This credential focuses on advanced leadership models, fostering effective team teaching and driving reflective practice in teams.

https://thesector.com.au/2024/11/18/victorias-educational-leaders-invited-to-apply-for-powerful-learning-opportunity/

Pitching free micro-credentials for all, 1 - Panay News

Enter the concept of the Free University Microcredential International (UMI) Hybrid Program — a ground-breaking proposal designed to democratize education on an unprecedented scale and to champion social justice by making it accessible and free for all who wish to enhance their employability. This innovative idea was formulated by a group of forward-thinking individuals, including the author of this column, during the Asian International Mobility for Students (AIMS) Summer Intensive Program held from August 1-8, 2024, at Hiroshima University, Japan. The program, supported by a JASSO scholarship, focused on higher education innovations, peace education, global collaboration, and internationalization.

\https://www.panaynews.net/pitching-free-micro-credentials-for-all-1/#google_vignette

Students are increasingly turning to microcredentials to boost their career prospects - Sarah Ash, Texas Standard

Fall means it’s college application season, but a growing number of students are looking for post-high school opportunities outside a traditional four-year university. Hundreds of thousands of young people have pinned their hopes on what are called microcredentials as a quicker pathway to in-demand careers. Programs vary widely, with students getting certified to become phlebotomists or welders or earning credentials for specific information technology skills.

https://www.texasstandard.org/stories/student-microcredential-programs-certificates-job-skills/

USI Board of Trustees approves two new master’s degrees, nine certificates and microcredentials - University of Southern Indiana

The University also approved nine certificates and microcredentials. They are as follows:  

Undergraduate 

Childhood Health and Well-being Microcredential 

Public and Nonprofit Leadership Microcredential 

State and Local Government Microcredential 

Graduate 

Elementary Math Leadership Certificate 

Teacher License Addition for English Learners Certificate 

Nonprofit Professional Microcredential 

Policy Making Microcredential 

Program Evaluation Microcredential 

Fundraising Microcredential 

https://www.usi.edu/news/releases/2024/11/usi-board-of-trustees-approves-two-new-master-s-degrees-nine-certificates-and-microcredentials-hears-update-from-presidential-search-committee-chair

The Microcredential Generation - Sara Weissman, Inside Higher Ed

While these kinds of programs have long served adult learners looking to update their job skills or switch careers, research shows students fresh out of high school are flocking to them in greater and greater numbers. Learners ages 18 to 20 completed more certificates at higher ed institutions than any other age group during the 2022–23 academic year, according to an April 2024 report from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center. Nearly 154,000 young learners earned certificates that year—an 11 percent increase over the previous year—among the 670,665 certificate earners across all ages. The microcredential student population is much larger than those numbers indicate, because certificates offered at colleges and universities are only one type.

https://www.insidehighered.com/news/tech-innovation/alternative-credentials/2024/10/01/microcredential-generation

Bridging the gap: From professional learning to classroom impact with microcredentials - Donna Spangler, Smart Brief

Microcredentials offer a new way forward: turning learning into action. They build educator capacity and require evidence of application, helping to bridge the gap between learning and classroom practice. Recent research highlights ongoing challenges in translating professional learning into classroom practice. Findings in a 2023 published RAND study revealed challenges between participation in professional learning and classroom application. This gap highlights a critical issue today: little professional learning actually results in classroom application or changes within the classroom. 

https://www.smartbrief.com/original/bridging-the-gap-from-professional-learning-to-classroom-impact-with-microcredentials

Internships a balancing act for adult students Posted by Moira Kelley, University of Wiscons-

For instance, 63 percent of the students wanted to do internships but could not for various reasons, especially a lack of time due to a heavy course load or the need to work a paid job. Internships can be particularly challenging for adult students if they offer little or no pay. Students who land an internship can find it an excellent opportunity to field test a new career pathway, get a foot in the door of a new organization or build professional networks. Research shows that it is critical to have an experienced mentor, realistic and challenging workplace tasks, and ample feedback from your supervisor to ensure a good internship experience.

https://continuingstudies.wisc.edu/blog/internships-a-balancing-act-for-adult-students/

KACIF Program Bridges Gap for Students Pursuing Public Service Internships with Financial Support - GW Today

The GW Career Services Council established the fund in 2013 through alumni and parent donations to reduce financial challenges associated with pursuing high-quality, necessarily unpaid internships (essentially, for organizations that don’t have a paid structure) that may fit into a GW students’ career ambitions and/or enhance their academic programming. The council believes that “the financial support provided by the fund will make a significant difference in the lives of GW students, just as the students will make a significant difference in the world and through their work with the organizations at which they intern.”

https://gwtoday.gwu.edu/kacif-program-bridges-gap-students-pursuing-public-service-internships-financial-support

Health and wellness internships show students how to make a difference - Binghamton University

Binghamton University’s Division of Health and Wellness Studies (HWS), as part of Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences, offers a range of internships that allow students to gain hands-on experience, build new skills and make an impact in the community. Here’s a closer look at those internships and how they’ve shaped students in unique ways.

https://www.binghamton.edu/news/story/5199/health-and-wellness-internships-show-students-how-to-make-a-difference

Internships Become Growing Part of a SUNY Canton Education - SUNY

The college currently has students placed in 52 on-campus Presidential Internships. Two additional students are working off-campus with area agencies, including the St. Lawrence County Center for History and Culture in Canton. The college expanded its robust internship program so students could gain experience working in their chosen fields while still in college.

https://www.canton.edu/news/2024/internships.php

Recognition of non-formal skills: new research on micro-credentialing - Unicef

On the other hand, while slowly and unevenly compared to the global trend, the up-take of micro-credentials is increasing in South Africa. Micro-credentials are a form of alternative education, formal or non-formal, that can be offered by universities, online learning platforms, technical schools, or other skills development entities. It certifies the learning outcomes of short-term learning experiences, for example a short course or training that offer micro-credentials such as online certificates, diplomas, and badges.

https://www.unicef.org/southafrica/press-releases/recognition-non-formal-skills-new-research-micro-credentialing

Micro-credential pilots are precursor to campuswide launch - Jeff Budlong, Iowa State University

An ISU micro-credential workgroup has spent the past several months building a foundation for the micro-credential program in preparation for a rollout in summer or fall 2025. Led by Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT) professional development and micro-credential program specialist Tanya Austin, the workgroup established processes, standards for quality, centralized branding and technology for consistency across the university. A major piece of the foundation is the micro-credential resources and support CELT staff developed for students, faculty and employers, including a comprehensive micro-credential toolkit to help faculty understand and design micro-credentials.

https://www.inside.iastate.edu/article/2024/11/14/microcredentials

VCU Global Education Office offering two new microcredential digital badges - Amelia Heymann, VCU

Virginia Commonwealth University’s Global Education Office has debuted two microcredential digital badges – Global Zone Training and Peace Corps Prep – that offer educators and students specialized instruction to meet the evolving landscape of college and beyond. “The digital badging that is now being offered through the Global Education Office is yet another example of ‘at-home internationalization’ and is an innovative global initiative that benefits the entire VCU community,” said Jill Blondin, Ph.D., associate vice provost for global initiatives. “The knowledge that is gained through Global Zone training not only enhances professional development, but it also equips faculty and staff members to serve our international student community optimally. 

https://news.vcu.edu/article/2024/07/vcu-global-education-office-offering-two-new-microcredential-digital-badges

Disability Rights Advocate John Robinson Joins Office of Microcredentials - Hope Alvarez, Syracuse

The College of Professional Studies has appointed John Robinson ’90, P’25 as a professor of practice in the Office of Microcredentials. This position is made possible by a generous gift from the Einhorn Family Fund for Disability Entrepreneurship, founded by University Trustee Steven L. Einhorn ’64, ’67, P’92 and his wife, Sherry Einhorn ’65, P’92. Robinson will help coordinate and scale the Workshop in Entrepreneurship for People with Disabilities, while also serving as a member of its instructional team. The workshop is a non-credit microcredential program designed to empower people with disabilities to either become entrepreneurs or to be better prepared for employment.

https://news.syr.edu/blog/2024/09/24/disability-rights-advocate-john-robinson-joins-office-of-microcredentials/

Microcredentials. Macro benefit. - Clark College

Every industry, from health care to high tech, requires the mastery of specific skills to meet new challenges, leverage emerging technologies, and improve company performance. Employer expectations have never been higher. Many workers are turning to microcredential programs that offer concise, targeted courses to enhance their skill sets and, ultimately, strengthen their professional performance and prospects. Clark’s School of Professional Studies is now offering microcredentials that focus on skill development in a range of subject areas.

https://clarknow.clarku.edu/2024/10/15/microcredentials-macro-benefit/

Financial Support for Internships Can ‘Level the Playing Field’ - Misty Evans, Insight into Diversity

Research by interdisciplinary scholars and the Strada Education Foundation “Building Better Internships” report has shown that paid internships significantly improve labor market outcomes for college graduates. Those who complete paid internships tend to secure higher-paying jobs after graduation, regardless of differences in field of study, gender, or race/ethnicity. They are also more likely to report that their first job required a degree and express greater satisfaction with that job compared to peers without internship experience. Despite the clear benefits, accessibility remains an issue. Although 70% of first-year students plan to complete an internship, less than half do so, and only a quarter secure paid opportunities. This discrepancy is often due to financial challenges, time constraints from course loads or other jobs, and difficulties in finding internships, especially within specific fields of study.

https://www.insightintodiversity.com/financial-support-for-internships-can-level-the-playing-field/

Precision Connect ’24 to Showcase SDSU Students’ Ag Internships - Mitchell Now

Nearly 100 South Dakota State University undergraduate students will showcase their ag industry internship experiences at Precision Connect ’24, Thursday, Nov. 14, at the Raven Precision Agriculture Center. This is the fourth annual Precision Connect event, started in conjunction with the 2021 opening of the center. Students in two departments within the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences and the Jerome J. Lohr College of Engineering will participate.

https://mitchellnow.com/news/236632-precision-connect-24-to-showcase-sdsu-students-ag-internships/

St. Mike’s students recall ‘life-changing’ internships made possible by Freeman Foundation grant - Caitlin Herz, St. Michaels College

Each year, just over a dozen students at Saint Michael’s receive funding through the Institute for Global Engagement to engage in an opportunity that impacts their personal and professional trajectories: an international internship in Asia.  Saint Michael’s is one of only 33 colleges and universities in the country to receive a grant from the Freeman Foundation, which supports the Global Citizenship International Internship program each year.  The opportunity is fully funded through Saint Michael’s Institute for Global Engagement, and students had the option to complete the internship in either Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam or Seoul, South Korea.  

https://www.smcvt.edu/about-smc/news/2024/november/st-mikes-students-recall-life-changing-internships-made-possible-by-freeman-foundation-grant/

New IBM SkillsBuild Cybersecurity and Data Analytics Certificates to be Deployed in Community College Systems across Alabama, California Bay Area, Colorado and Louisiana

New IBM SkillsBuild Cybersecurity and Data Analytics Certificates to be Deployed in Community College Systems across Alabama, California Bay Area, Colorado and Louisiana through IBM SkillsBuild this fall. - Credentials have been piloted and designed with community college experts, and have ACE recommended college credits. Cybersecurity and data analytics skills are essential for artificial intelligence (AI) innovation, enabling professionals to extract insights, secure critical information, drive informed decisions, and create value across industries in an increasingly data-centric and security-conscious world. According to a global study conducted by IBM Institute of Business Value, executives estimate that implementing AI and automation will require 40% of their workforce to reskill over the next three years, mostly those in entry-level positions. This underscores the importance of creating public-private partnerships to help close the skills gap.

https://newsroom.ibm.com/2024-07-22-New-IBM-SkillsBuild-Cybersecurity-Certificate-and-Data-Analytics-Certificates-to-be-Deployed-in-Community-College-Systems-across-Alabama,-California-Bay-Area,-Colorado-and-Louisiana