$1M grant will support paid internships in community archives - Kyle Mittan, University of Arizona Communications

The University of Arizona College of Information Science will help more students – especially those from historically underrepresented backgrounds – get paid internships in community archives, thanks to a $1 million grant from the Mellon Foundation's Public Knowledge Program. The grant will support the work of a collaborative of library and information sciences faculty members from nine universities across the U.S. and Canada, including the U of A. The collaborative is called FOCAS, which stands for Faculty Organizing for Community Archives Support. 

https://news.arizona.edu/news/1m-grant-will-support-paid-internships-community-archives

Women, First-Gen, BIPOC Students Less Likely to Have Paid Internship Experience - Ashley Mowreader, Inside Higher Ed

A September report from the Business–Higher Education Forum found there are not enough internships available for students who want them nationally, and a new brief from California Competes found similar gaps among students at California public institutions. Researchers discovered that only 6 percent of Californians have participated in a paid internship, and only 15 percent participated in an internship at all. Women (4 percent), Black (5 percent), Latino (4 percent) and Native American (0 percent) students were less likely than their peers to complete a paid internship, as were first-generation learners (4 percent) and college students over 30 years old (2 percent).

https://www.insidehighered.com/news/student-success/life-after-college/2024/10/28/equity-gaps-paid-internships-calif-college

Micro-credentialing on the rise in India: Coursera data - Economic Times

Coursera’s insights and report titled Micro-Credentials Impact Report 2024, India edition, based on a survey of 180 Indian education leaders and part of a global study of 1000+ leaders in 850+ institutions shows that India is leading this shift. Part of this could be due to the flexibility being designed in the New Education Policy. In fact over half (52%) of Indian institutions offering micro-credentials now provide them for academic credit, and nearly all (94%) plan to do so within the next five years. Indeed, this trend is supported by the National Credit Framework (NCrF) under India’s National Education Policy (NEP), which enables students to earn transferable credits for both academic studies and skill-based learning.

https://m.economictimes.com/jobs/fresher/micro-credentialing-on-the-rise-in-india-coursera-data/amp_articleshow/116212654.cms

Quality Assurance for Micro-Credentials: Courses by Microsoft and Meta on Coursera receive FIBAA quality seal - Olga Leshchanskaya, FIBAA

The FIBAA Quality Seal for certified continuing education courses is a certification for learning opportunities that do not conclude with an academic degree. FIBAA has developed this quality seal in analogy to the internationally recognized FIBAA accreditation of academic study programmes. Like FIBAA accreditation, the certification is based on the quality requirements of the European Study Guidelines (ESG). Within this framework, FIBAA examines the principles of student-centred learning and teaching, transparent regulations for admissions, course participation and examinations, the qualifications of the teaching staff, the organizational and technical infrastructure including documentation and information about the courses offered, as well as quality management for the continuous further development of the courses offered. In addition, there is the examination of the teaching and learning content and examination procedures with regard to the qualification objectives and the didactic methods used.

https://idw-online.de/de/news844589

KIPT CoLAB completes study on skills and training needs in Tourism - Sul Informação

Tactical professionals, who occupy middle management positions, “have leadership and organizational skills, but require greater technological adaptability and strategic vision. Micro-credentials in strategic management, event planning and artificial intelligence applied to tourism may be the solution to their needs”, the note also reads. Strategic professionals, responsible for senior management and strategic decisions, demonstrate leadership and global vision, but face gaps in resilience and mastery of emerging technologies. Micro-credentials in circular economy, sustainable management and innovation in tourism were identified as priority training for this group.

ttps://www.sulinformacao.pt/en/2024/12/kipt-colab-conclui-estudo-sobre-competencias-e-necessidades-formativas-no-turismo/

ISUFST to Launch Industry-Focused Micro-Credentials - Daily Guardian

The Iloilo State University of Fisheries Science and Technology (ISUFST) is preparing to introduce micro-credential programs designed to bridge academic learning with industry needs, following a successful two-day workshop in Iloilo City. Dr. Greg Pawilen, a curriculum expert from the University of the Philippines Los Baños, praised ISUFST’s initiatives during the event held at Park Inn by Radisson, describing the proposals as “among the first, cleanest, and finest” he has encountered.

https://dailyguardian.com.ph/isufst-to-launch-industry-focused-micro-credentials/

Micro-credentials create job-ready graduates: Report - Telangana Today

India is leading the global shift toward skill-based education with 95 per cent of higher education leaders in the country agreeing that micro-credentials strengthen students’ career outcomes, according to Coursera’s Micro-Credentials Impact Report 2024 – India Edition. The micro-credentials are a certification of assessed learning that is additional, alternate, complementary or a formal component of a formal qualification. They ensure undergraduate students and adult learners are equipped with industry-specific skills that they need for employability and advancement. According to the report, over half (52 per cent) of the Indian institutions offering micro-credentials now provide them for academic credit, and 94 per cent plan to do so within the next five years. This trend is supported by the National Credit Framework (NCrF) under new National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which enables students to earn transferable credits for both academic studies and skill-based learning.

https://telanganatoday.com/micro-credentials-create-job-ready-graduates-report

New Applied Communication specialisation for the Bachelor of Communication - Massey News

The new Applied Communication (AC) specialisation is being offered to Bachelor of Communication (BC) students from 2025. This new specialisation, which can be taken as a major or minor, is designed to empower students with communication tools to effectively tackle some of the most pressing global issues around the challenges outlined in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Students will be taught how to develop cutting-edge communication applications, including strategic communication plans, community engagement strategies, case studies, policy briefs, white papers, advertising campaigns, communication advocacy campaigns, health communication interventions, environmental communication designs, digital stories, data-driven communication interfaces and future-ready communication platforms.

https://www.massey.ac.nz/about/news/new-applied-communication-specialisation-for-the-bachelor-of-communication/

Skill-based courses create job-ready grads, says Coursera report - Aryaman Gupta, Business Standard

As many as 95 per cent of higher education leaders in India agree that micro-credentials strengthen students’ career outcomes, indicating a shift towards skill-based education, according to a recent report by edtech platform Coursera. Micro-credentials are short, certified courses of assessed learning that are additional to a formal educational degree. Over half (52 per cent) of Indian institutions offering micro-credentials now provide them for academic credit, and nearly all (94 per cent) plan to do so within the next five years, Coursera’s Micro-Credentials Impact Report 2024 - India Edition stated.

https://www.business-standard.com/india-news/95-of-higher-education-leaders-say-micro-credentials-boost-job-readiness-124112801113_1.html

Squash Legend Nicol Ann David Completes Harvard Business School Online Course - Head Topics

Squash legend Datuk Nicol Ann David has received a certificate from Harvard Business School after successfully completing its 'Power and Influence for Positive Impact' online certificate programme. Nicol, who dedicated her professional life to squash and didn't attend university, finds the course empowering and fundamental in building her confidence as a leader. She acknowledges the help of a Malaysian friend, Sarah Chenglobal, and the Harvard Social Innovation + Change Initiative in making this achievement possible.

https://headtopics.com/my/squash-legend-nicol-ann-david-completes-harvard-business-62558215

Skills shortage help: microcredentials offer new pathways for out-of-field teachers - Grant Quarry, Education HQ (AU)

Charles Sturt University is offering two free microcredentials for out-of-field mathematics and science teachers, to be delivered online from March to October 2025. With Australia’s growing STEM qualified teacher shortage projected to affect up to 70,000 students annually by 2030 and out-of-field teaching rates for maths reaching as high as 32 per cent, the free microcredentials offer a much-needed solution. Funded through the Australian Government’s Microcredentials Pilot in Higher Education, the qualifications are designed for out-of-field teachers of maths and science, or teachers looking to add an additional teaching area.

https://educationhq.com/news/skills-shortage-help-microcredentials-offer-new-pathways-for-out-of-field-teachers-186438/

CPA Australia unveils new ESG micro-credentials - Imogen Wilson, Accountants Daily

CPA Australia has rolled out its first sustainability micro-credential to support its members ahead of a “breakthrough year” in environmental, social and governance (ESG) reporting requirements. CPA said the new micro-credentials were designed to support accounting professionals in providing the strategic leadership they needed to integrate sustainability in a way that created value and facilitated long-term growth. The first of the three new micro-credentials, ‘Sustainability: Building Resilience through Leadership’, was released ahead of mandatory climate-related financial disclosures for large organisations in 2025 and SMEs in 2026.

https://www.accountantsdaily.com.au/technology/20687-cpa-australia-unveils-new-esg-micro-credentials

GSU’s Microcredential Initiative: Elevating Skills and Credentials for Learner Success - Georgia State University

The landscape of higher education is expanding rapidly, and GSU innovatively embraces this expansion while always keeping our learners at the center, providing them with meaningful, verifiable credentials. Charged by Provost Parsons-Pollard in Spring 2024, a working group of representatives from Academic Affairs, The Graduate School, CETLOE, College of Education, Perimeter College, and Robinson College of Business developed a new Microcredential Framework to provide a guide for faculty to help learners document their skills and accomplishments through clear, standardized microcredentials. Primarily offered as continuing education or professional credits, these microcredentials provide faculty with a means to help learners showcase demonstrated competencies. 

https://news.gsu.edu/2024/11/14/gsus-microcredential-initiative-elevating-skills-and-credentials-for-learner-success/

Canadian PTIB Applied Project Management Online Certification Program Launch

The new 80-hour accredited applied project management online course offers a flexible schedule that can be completed within 10 weeks given an eight- to 10-hour-per-week commitment. Although the program is open to all, it is especially beneficial for professionals in the engineering and construction sectors looking to transition into more project management-focused roles. Graduates of the course will earn a certificate endorsed by the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills in British Columbia. This certificate confirms that learners have gained essential skills for managing real-life projects.

https://markets.financialcontent.com/stocks/article/marketersmedia-2024-11-23-canadian-ptib-applied-project-management-online-certification-program-launch

Micro-credentials: The solution to the skills gap and accessible education - Mike Caruso, University Business

By reformatting existing programs into micro-credentials and certificates, you can market these new programs to employers and bring new learners through your doors. At the end of 2020, 80% of U.S. employers said they had more difficulty filling job openings due to skills gaps compared to the year before — and the skills gap isn’t going away anytime soon. In fact, a recent Gartner survey found that 58% of employees need new skills to successfully do their work. If organizations don’t provide necessary training, they risk the inability to perform critical business activities, inefficient operations and missed growth opportunities. To close the skills gap, organizations need to invest in upskilling opportunities like micro-credentials — mini-qualifications that demonstrate an individual’s abilities, knowledge or experience in a specific subject area. With micro-credentials, companies can leverage programs from educational institutions to upskill and reskill their workforce

https://universitybusiness.com/micro-credentials-the-solution-to-the-skills-gap-and-accessible-education/

What is the experience of Latin American universities in offering micro-credentials? - UNESCO

In a context where universities require greater flexibility and where it is crucial to align knowledge and skills with the demands of the labour market, micro-credentials have established themselves as an innovative and effective tool to develop and validate specific competences throughout adult life. These credentials allow acquiring and demonstrating practical knowledge in an agile and accessible way, responding to the dynamic demands of today’s professional world. To this end, UNESCO IESALC and Red de Educación Continua de Latinoamérica y Europa (RECLA) have launched a survey to learn about the experience of Ibero-American universities in offering micro-credentials. Although there is no single definition of what constitutes a micro-credential, for this study it is understood as a certification that validates and recognises a specific competence or skill, verified through observable evidence and performance, and includes a learning assessment process.

https://www.iesalc.unesco.org/en/articles/what-experience-latin-american-universities-offering-micro-credentials

College of Engineering to offer microcredentials for manufacturing job seekers - PSU

Manufacturing  in Pennsylvania delivers economic impact of more than $116 billion, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. To help manufacturing workers keep pace with the evolution of skills required in this important sector, the Penn State College of Engineering will offer a new set of manufacturing microcredential courses, beginning in February 2025 and running throughout the spring, summer and fall.  Building on the success of other short-course microcredentials offered by the college, the manufacturing microcredentials are designed for individuals without bachelor’s degrees who are interested in beginning or furthering careers in manufacturing.

https://www.psu.edu/news/engineering/story/college-engineering-offer-microcredentials-manufacturing-job-seekers

Are Short-Term Credentials Really More Affordable? - Sara Weissman, Inside Higher Ed

Short-term credentials are proliferating and growing more popular as students come to see them as quicker, cheaper routes to jobs than traditional degrees. But are these programs as inexpensive as students think? The Education Trust, a nonprofit policy and advocacy organization, explored that question in a new report released Tuesday. The authors looked at how much it actually costs students to participate in these programs, including living expenses like room and board, books, technology, and transportation. They found that costs varied widely among different types of credentials, with some offered at no cost and others exceeding $20,000 per month.

https://www.insidehighered.com/news/tech-innovation/alternative-credentials/2024/11/22/are-short-term-credentials-really-more

New micro-credentials to prepare accountants for the opportunities of a sustainable future - CPA Australia

Australian businesses need to prepare for increasing ESG reporting requirements:

CPA Australia reveals first of three new micro-credentials to help members meet the growing demand for sustainability expertise - Sustainability reporting presents career boost opportunity for accountants - CPA Australia has launched the first of three new sustainability micro-credentials to support members ahead of a breakthrough year in ESG reporting requirements. 

https://newshub.medianet.com.au/2024/11/new-micro-credentials-to-prepare-accountants-for-the-opportunities-of-a-sustainable-future/77317/

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/