Micro-credentials, reskilling in the spotlight for the year ahead - Irish Examiner

Gone are the days when a single degree could sustain an entire career. Skills gaps are inevitable in today’s fast-moving work environment, leaving workers and employers grappling hard to stay on top of trends. Enter micro-credentials: those compact, targeted courses that equip individuals with the skills they need to meet the demands of the modern workplace. For stretched workforces, micro-credentials offer employees the chance to upskill or reskill efficiently. Often lasting between six and 12 weeks, they are designed with flexibility in mind. Many are delivered online or through a blended format, enabling learners to balance education with professional and personal responsibilities.

https://www.irishexaminer.com/special-reports/arid-41540204.html

Micro-credential programmes seek to narrow skills gap in India - HP Ranina, Khaleej Times

Technical institutes, universities and colleges have now started incorporating micro-credentials in their curriculum and are creating hybrid models that blend traditional degrees with skill-focused programmes. This integration enables students to have a holistic education combining deep academic knowledge with practical, job ready skills. Many industries face skill gaps that hinder growth and innovation. Micro-credentials provide a solution by offering efficient pathways for workers to gain the expertise and skills needed to fill the gaps.

https://www.khaleejtimes.com/business/micro-credential-programmes-seek-to-narrow-skills-gap-in-india

Apprenticeships are a trending alternative to college — but there’s a hitch - Jon Marcus, Hechinger Report

Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom time. Increasing their use has bipartisan support and was a rare subject of agreement between the presidential candidates in the election just ended. Apprenticeships have also benefited from growing public skepticism about the need for college: Only one in four adults now says having a four-year degree is extremely or very important to get a good job, the Pew Research Center finds, and nearly two-thirds of 14- to 18-year-olds say their ideal educations would involve learning skills on the job, as in apprenticeships, according to a survey by the ECMC Group. (ECMC Group is affiliated with the ECMC Foundation, one of many funders of The Hechinger Report.)

https://hechingerreport.org/apprenticeships-are-a-trending-alternative-to-college-but-theres-a-hitch/

Looking for internships? They are in short supply - Jon Marcus, Hechinger Report

Not only are there growing concerns about the supply of apprenticeships meeting demand; there’s a shortage of another important workforce training tool — internships. There were an estimated 5.7 million fewer high-quality internships last year than learners who wanted to intern, according to the Business-Higher Education Forum, or BHEF.Employers last year provided 2.5 million high-quality internships, compared to 8.2 million people who wanted one, the BHEF found. Another million internships that were offered fell short of high standards of quality and skills development, the organization said.

https://hechingerreport.org/looking-for-internships-they-are-in-short-supply/

Alternative Credentials Market Size and Share - Fortune Business Insights

The global alternative credentials market size was valued at USD 16.33 billion in 2023. The market is projected to grow from USD 18.83 billion in 2024 to USD 69.87 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 17.8% during the forecast period. This market refers to the education and training sectors that provides non-traditional credentials aimed at developing specific skills and competencies outside the traditional degree programs. This market includes various credentials, such as certificates, micro-credentials, digital badges, nanodegrees, professional certifications, and bootcamps. The global market is rapidly emerging as a transformative force in the education and professional development landscape. Unlike traditional degrees, alternative credentials offer a flexible, affordable, and skill-focused approach to learning. Employers and educational institutions, due to the need for continuous skill enhancement in an ever-evolving job market, are increasingly recognizing these credentials.

https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/alternative-credentials-market-110785

Nursing and Healthcare Education Online Post-Master's Certificate (PMC) - UMass Dartmouth

This four-course graduate post master’s certificate in nursing and healthcare education certification will help clinical experts transition into the role of novice educator. The curriculum blends theory with practical application, equipping students with advanced knowledge and competencies in nursing education. Through a combination of innovative coursework, hands on experiences, and mentorship from distinguished faculty, students develop the critical thinking, instructional design, and leadership abilities essential for success in educational roles across diverse healthcare settings. Completion of the program provides graduates eligibility to become a Certified Nurse Educator (CNE®) through the National League for Nursing.

https://www.umassd.edu/programs/nursing-healthcare-education-pmc-online/

Communication graduate Hope VanBennekom set to pursue master’s degree in security and disaster management - Steve Walentik, UMSL

Hope VanBennekom has spent a lot of time thinking about Saturday afternoon’s walk across the commencement stage at the University of Missouri–St. Louis. “It’s been almost 20 years in the making,” she said recently. VanBennekom, who is taking part in a commencement ceremony for graduates of the College of Arts and Sciences, will earn her bachelor’s degree in communication while graduating summa cum laude with certificates in public relations and health communication as well as a certificate from the Pierre Laclede Honors College. That’s all coming nearly two decades after she received her associate degree in early childhood education. She’d known for a while that she wanted to return to school, but she kept putting it off while raising her two kids and helping support her husband Kurt’s budding military and legal career.

https://blogs.umsl.edu/news/2024/12/13/hope-vanbennekom/

New ‘Civil Discourse for Citizenship Certificate’ program to open for student enrollment in spring - Madison Wallace, the Lantern

Ohio State’s Center for Ethics and Human Values is offering a new academic program enrollment opportunity this spring that aims to educate students about the importance of respectful dialogue, with the added benefit of appearing on a college transcript. The Civil Discourse for Citizenship Certificate — a 12-credit program that combines theoretical and practical knowledge from relevant disciplines as a formal certification, according to the center’s website — is designed to create an opportunity for students to study the principles of civil discourse. Kathryn Joyce, the center’s Civil Discourse Program director, said the program will allow students to deepen their understanding of civil discourse in various contexts through tailored coursework and classroom discussion. “Our hope is that this program will help future professionals and citizens appreciate civic values so they can contribute to the creation of inclusive, tolerant communities that recognize the importance of free speech and open dialogue across difference,” Joyce said. 

https://www.thelantern.com/2024/12/new-civil-discourse-for-citizenship-certificate-program-to-open-for-student-enrollment-in-spring/

Kentucky State University launches new correctional certificate program - Rachel Richardson, Lex 18

Kentucky State University set big goals for its strategic plan, including making education affordable and creating non-traditional pathways. The school's Director of Adult Learning and Governmental Relations, Cathi Smith, explains they're checking both boxes with its new partnership with Louisville Metro Department of Corrections. Smith said, "Those courses are all criminal justice courses and there are a couple of communication courses. There are four core courses that they take that are all criminal justice classes and then there's one elective that they can pick which elective they want."

https://www.lex18.com/news/kentucky-state-university-launches-new-correctional-certificate-program

Lessons Learned from Implementing the Largest University Based Microcredential Program in the U.S. - SUNY

The State University of New York (SUNY) is just reaching the five-year mark (with some pandemic interruption) of implementing a System-wide Microcredential Policy. Clear lessons are emerging, successes are being scaled, and new goals have been set to address challenges and explore new opportunities. All work is aligned with key pillars set by SUNY’s Board of Trustees and Chancellor John B. King, Jr., including student success; research and scholarship; diversity, equity, and inclusion; and economic development and upward mobility. SUNY is the largest comprehensive system of public higher education in the United States with 64 campuses located across New York State, serving approximately 1.4 million learners each year. The System includes community colleges, technology colleges, liberal arts and science institutions, and doctoral institutions including R1 research centers and medical centers. SUNY campuses are both large and small, in urban centers and rural communities. Microcredentials have been integrated across every sector of SUNY campus and major award level—undergraduate and graduate.

https://www.suny.edu/microcredentials/build-a-program/

What is a microcredential? Here’s what you should know - Carly Fredericks, Oregon State

A microcredential, sometimes spelled “micro credential” or “micro-credential,” is a series of courses that culminate in a digital badge from an accredited university. They let employers and your professional network know that you have proficiency in a subject area. But, you might be wondering, “So what’s a digital badge?” Digital badges offer verified proof of competency and document specific skills you’ve gained through learning. Digital badges aren’t exclusive to microcredentials, but all students who complete a microcredential online with Oregon State University receive one. At Oregon State, all microcredentials are delivered online by nationally ranked OSU Ecampus. 

https://ecampus.oregonstate.edu/news/what-is-a-microcredential/

How Microcredentials Are Transforming Higher Education - Coursera via AACSB

How can universities meet the rapidly changing needs of employers? By offering industry microcredentials that equip students with job-ready skills.

• Both students and employers are placing greater value on industry microcredentials as a way to keep up with the most sought-after skills in an ever-evolving job market.
• Universities have flexibility in how they integrate this training into their curricula—they can offer microcredentials as noncredit, for-credit, or free co-curricular options.
• One solution is Coursera’s Career Academy, where students can learn job-specific skills by completing microcredentials offered by the world’s leading companies.

https://www.aacsb.edu/insights/articles/2023/10/how-microcredentials-are-transforming-higher-education

Global Landscapes Forum Announces Multiple Remote Paid Internships 2025- Apply Now! - Mercy Awofiranye, After School Africa

The GLF Internship Program, offered by the Global Landscapes Forum (GLF) in partnership with CIFOR-ICRAF, provides aspiring young professionals the opportunity to contribute to global sustainable development initiatives. This 9-month, full-time internship supports various GLF teams, including Youth Programs, Communications, and Knowledge, offering hands-on experience in environmental sciences, sustainable development, and digital communications. Interns work remotely and gain valuable skills while advancing GLF’s mission to achieve Sustainable Development Goals, the Paris Climate Agreement, and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

https://www.afterschoolafrica.com/92320/global-landscapes-forum-announces-multiple-remote-paid-internships-2025-apply-now/

$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/