Creative Futures Academy receives Human Capital Initiative Micro-Credentials subsidy funding into 2025

Last year, Creative Futures Academy was awarded a total of €315,640 from the Human Capital Initiative HCI Pillar 3 Micro-Credentials Subsidy funding. These subsidies are allocated across various courses at the National College of Art & Design and the Institute of Art Design + Technology, Dun Laoghaire. Access to the Learner Fee Subsidy has been extended up until October 2025 meaning that learners can still avail of discounts of up to 80% on course fees! The courses on offer meet a range of priority skills needs including climate and digital skills for creatives. Creative Futures Academy continues to build its portfolio of flexible micro-credentialed learning opportunities that are accessible to learners at all stages of their career.

https://careersportal.ie/news/micro-creds-funding-2025

Ateneo Strengthens Regional Collaboration on Micro-Credentials - Ateneo de Manila

Launched in March 2023, MICROCASA includes 11 partner institutions, such as Universiti Sains Malaysia, Universitas Brawijaya, and European universities with expertise in quality assurance. The project has conducted a comparative study on micro-credential adoption in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia, identifying standardization, quality assurance, and mutual recognition challenges. Ateneo engages with government, industry, and international organizations to align micro-credentials with labor market needs. The project supports global agreements like the Tokyo Convention and ASEAN Quality Assurance Network (AQAN) initiatives for transparent recognition of qualifications.

https://www.ateneo.edu/features/2025/02/11/ateneo-strengthens-regional-collaboration-micro-credentials

AI Literacy Microcredential - NJIT

In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, AI is both a transformative technology and a fundamental competency. To meet the need organizations and individuals have regarding this fundamental competency, NJIT is launching a non-credit AI Literacy Microcredential - coming Spring 2025.

https://ldi.njit.edu/ai-literacy-microcredential

Quality Assurance for Micro-Credentials: IBM courses on Coursera receive FIBAA quality seal - Olga Leshchanskaya, IBM

The FIBAA Accreditation and Certification Commission has awarded seven courses by IBM with the FIBAA Quality Seal for certified continuing education courses. The courses „IBM DevOps and Software Engineering”, “IBM IT Support”, “IBM and ISC2 Cybersecurity Specialist”, “IBM Business Intelligence (BI) Analyst”, “IBM IT Project Manager”, “IBM Product Manager”, and “IBM Project Manager” are exclusively accessible on the online platform Coursera. Being dubbed as “Professional certificates”, these courses prepare participants for defined professional fields in the IT sector.

https://idw-online.de/en/news847247

Interns Impacted by Hiring Freeze Left ‘In Limbo’ - Johanna Alonso, Inside Higher Ed

The hiring freeze appears to have forced federal agencies to cancel numerous internships; most prominently, thousands of legal internships and entry-level positions within the Department of Justice and beyond have been impacted, according to reports on social media and in news outlet like Reuters and Law360. “We’ve most definitely seen impacts of the federal hiring freeze and subsequent actions related to college recruiting and internships. We’re hearing from colleges that there have been internships that have been canceled and we have heard that federal agencies have pulled out of going onto campuses to recruit,” said Shawn VanDerziel, executive director of the National Association of Colleges and Employers, an advocacy group for campus career centers and the businesses that work with them. “I would hope once the dust settles over the coming weeks and months that we will have many more answers and that the trajectory will be more positive.”

https://www.insidehighered.com/news/students/careers/2025/02/07/hiring-freeze-cancels-internships-federal-agencies

Micro-Credentials: The New paradigm in Indian Higher Education and Skilling - Pravesh Dudani, Education-Economic Times

India’s higher education landscape is undergoing a significant transformation. Rapid technological advancements and shifting industry demands mean that graduates need more than just theoretical knowledge to thrive. While conventional degree programs lay solid academic foundations, they often struggle to keep pace with rapidly evolving skill requirements. This gap has paved the way for micro-credentials, compact, skill-focused courses that provide learners with practical, industry-relevant expertise.

https://education.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/micro-credentials-the-new-paradigm-in-indian-higher-education-and-skilling/117982294

Principles to award learning achievements for lifelong learning in health using micro-credentials: an international Delphi study - Sharon Mitchell, et al; Human Resources for Health

This research investigates micro-credentialing as an approach to recognise learning achievements in health. Establishing international standards can ensure consistency, promote equity, and enhance quality of recognition systems. Achieving stakeholder consensus on the key topic areas is an important precursor to lead to relevant topics from which to build appropriate standards. This research supports the efforts by UN agency representatives and experts in qualification systems, medical education, the health and care sector, regulation, and accreditation, to build foundations from which to launch normative work on the application of micro-credentials to award learning achievements for health and care workers.

https://human-resources-health.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12960-024-00969-y

SUNY system now offers hundreds of microcredentials - Brian Dwyer, Spectrum 1 News

Over the past few years, not only has the cost of higher education continued to rise, the profile of the average student has as well. Time is limited and students come from all walks of life. That’s why a relatively new concept is becoming more popular: microcredentials. Students and schools are looking at options to help continue higher education, and microcredentials are becoming popular. Microcredentials allow students to work at their own pace to earn certificates in a specific subject.  SUNY offers more than 500 microcredentials, and Jefferson Community College is one school looking to help students get where they want to go.

https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/central-ny/news/2025/01/10/suny-microcredential-jcc-

Elevate your career options with microcredentials. - VCU

At VCU's College of Humanities and Sciences, students can enhance their career potential through digital badges, which serve as verified, online microcredentials representing the skills and knowledge gained during their studies. These badges, earned throughout their academic journey, can be easily integrated into resumes, email signatures and social media profiles, providing employers with a clear and trustworthy way to verify qualifications while giving students a competitive edge in the job market. 

https://chs.vcu.edu/academics/microcredentials-and-badges/

The Microcredential Generation - Sara Weissman, Inside Higher Ed

Andrew McDonough wears a neon-yellow jacket and a sturdy pair of dusty brown boots, a hard hat by his side on the ground. The 18-year-old and his classmates lean back in padded metal dining room chairs, listening to their instructor as a cool wind rustles the trees around them on a summer afternoon. Their classroom is a little unusual. In fact, it’s not a room at all. The students are out on a forested logging site in the Kennebec Valley, a rural area of Maine. Neat piles of logs sit in the distance. A whiteboard hangs off of a truck. Heavy machines, which from afar look like large metal creatures, are waiting to be used.  McDonough is enrolled in Northern Maine Community College’s mechanized logging operations and forest trucking program.

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

Academic and Workplace Future Learning Market Research Report 2024: Growth Opportunities in AI Chatbot for Tutoring, Collaborative Learning, and Skill-based Learning Apps - ResearchAndMarkets.com

A shift in learning and teaching methodologies is related to advanced technologies and skilling needs. Students seek more flexibility and targeted knowledge in course content and, in the realm of on-the-job training, employees want personalized learning experiences.The rise of micro-credentials and mini-mesters in educational institutions addresses students' needs to acquire specific skills and knowledge quickly and efficiently.

To address professional needs, adaptive learning (technology-supported personalized training experiences) will cater to individual needs of learning style and paces.

Green upskilling is gaining prominence as a part of skilling evolution to address the growing need for skills relevant in environmental sustainability.

Technological innovations, such as gamified learning approaches that use games to motivate and increase learner engagement, immersive learning experiences that use virtual and augmented reality to create engaging and interactive environments, and personalized learning platforms that customize educational content to meet the needs of individual learners, are being used more often.

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250203465863/en/Academic-and-Workplace-Future-Learning-Market-Research-Report-2024-Growth-Opportunities-in-AI-Chatbot-for-Tutoring-Collaborative-Learning-and-Skill-based-Learning-Apps---ResearchAndMarkets.com

Alternative Credentials Market for Higher Education to grow by USD 1.8 Billion from 2025-2029, driven by skills gap expansion, Report on AI-powered market evolution - Technavio

Report on how AI is driving market transformation - The global alternative credentials market for higher education size is estimated to grow by USD 1.8 billion from 2025-2029, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of  15.3%  during the forecast period. Widening skills gap is driving market growth, with a trend towards rise in non-traditional offerings. However, threat from traditional degree program providers  poses a challenge. Key market players include 2U Inc., Bisk Ventures, Carroll Community College Foundation Inc., City and Guilds Group, Coursera Inc., Credly Inc., JPMorgan Chase and Co., New York State Education Department, NIIT Ltd., NorthEastern University, Pearson Plc, Purdue University Global, Simplilearn, Strategic Education Inc., Temple University, Udacity Inc., Udemy Inc., University of Michigan, University Professional and Continuing Education Association, and XuetangX.

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/alternative-credentials-market-for-higher-education-to-grow-by-usd-1-8-billion-from-2025-2029--driven-by-skills-gap-expansion-report-on-ai-powered-market-evolution---technavio-302363300.html

Microcredentialing and the role it will play in the future of work - Stand Together

The future of work demands openness to new opportunities, agility in adapting to change, and a focus on skills and aptitudes that enable individuals to thrive. Microcredentialing rises to this challenge by offering flexible, targeted pathways for individuals to gain expertise and quickly strengthen the workforce in mutually beneficial ways. This approach empowers individuals to take charge of their education, building on their unique strengths and talents. While traditional degree programs offer broad foundations, they don’t always align with everyone’s personal goals or career paths. 

https://standtogether.org/stories/future-of-work/microcredentialing-and-the-role-it-will-play-in-the-future-of-work

TRU Open Learning receives funds to improve micro-credential assessment - Thompson Rivers University

Thompson Rivers University (TRU) has received $321,359 for the third phase of its work creating a process to assess micro-credentials for additional credit options. A micro-credential is a short, stand-alone, competency-based learning program that fits with labour market or community needs. It is assessed and recognized for employment or further learning. As part of phase 3, TRU is assessing up to 50 micro-credentials for possible academic credit. This includes provincially funded and independently developed micro-credentials. TRU is also working with the B.C. Council on Admissions & Transfer (BCCAT) to house and share the assessment results through the online Transfer Credit System. Sharing assessment results allows institutions across B.C. to identify potential credit paths within their own institution.

https://www.castanet.net/news/Campus-Life-Kamloops/530124/TRU-Open-Learning-receives-funds-to-improve-micro-credential-assessment

Wisconsin School of Business Center for Professional & Executive Development Partners With Ziplines Education - Higher Ed Dive

Wisconsin School of Business (WSB) Center for Professional & Executive Development announced its launch of several new online certificate courses in partnership with Ziplines Education, a career accelerator focused on upskilling professionals at all career levels. The collaboration is especially timely as businesses increasingly seek talent with the technology-first skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in the workplace.In today’s economy, the Salesforce Global Digital Skills Index reports that 95% of U.S. companies use technology platforms, yet 76% of global workers feel unprepared to use these digital tools effectively. To remain competitive and prepared, professionals in “business and management” roles must continually advance their skills in a rapidly evolving and tech-driven landscape. WSB Center for Professional & Executive Development will equip professionals with some of these skills by offering programs in Digital Marketing, Product Management, and AI Prompting.

https://www.highereddive.com/press-release/20250128-wisconsin-school-of-business-center-for-professional-executive-developmen-1/

College of Charleston Partners with Cousera

Through the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning:The College became the first university in South Carolina to partner with Coursera to offer industry-branded, micro-credentials to students, faculty and staff. The spring 2025 faculty professional learning community plans to teach courses with embedded industry micro-credentials.

https://today.charleston.edu/2025/01/27/updates-from-academic-affairs-fs/

Digital Badges and Micro-Credentials in Higher Education - Nature Research Intelligence

[Ed note:  the  original link to this topic was removed by the publisher - I have substituted another publication from Springer on the topic] Recent studies have highlighted the strategic importance of micro-credentials in higher education. For instance, university leaders are encouraged to consider whether micro-credentials align with their institutional goals and the needs of their students. The research emphasizes that while micro-credentials can offer strategic value, they are not a one-size-fits-all solution and should be integrated thoughtfully with existing programs and initiatives. 

https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-319-15425-1

New models for university attendance - Walter V. Wendler, President of West Texas A&M

competency-based education, flexible scheduling, AI-powered personalized learning, experiential and work-integrated learning, flexible assessments and subscription-based learning opportunities, as well as other approaches to university study allow for scheduling, interaction and participation to fit the needs of an evolving, highly individualized student demographic. Responsive rural universities, to recruit and provide needed contemporary service to a wide range of students, will build programs to fit the needs of one student at a time, which simultaneously do not compromise quality. According to Panopto, the choice to fit needs and circumstances empowers both the student and the institution.

https://www.myplainview.com/news/education/article/new-models-university-attendance-20052096.php

AR community colleges create new pathways to employment - Freda Ross, MSN.com

Students at eight Arkansas community colleges can benefit from new micro-courses to prepare for the workforce. The schools are collaborating with the Education Design Lab to create a curriculum of credentialing classes, or micro-pathways, which when combined, prepare a student for a job at or above the local median wage. Lucas Paxton, director of digital learning at Northwest Arkansas Community College, said they are getting input from employers and community leaders to ensure students have the skills needed for available positions.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/careers/career-advice/ar-community-colleges-create-new-pathways-to-employment/ar-AA1vweaJ

Association leaders, educators praise Meyer’s youth apprenticeship executive action - Delaware Live

 Governor Matt Meyer directed state agencies to prioritize the development of youth apprenticeship programs across the state in his first executive action.   Led by the Delaware Department of Education, Executive Order #1 establishes a statewide working group consisting of at least 15 members from across labor, educational, and nongovernmental sectors, with the ultimate goal of developing proposed processes and policies to expand youth apprenticeships and workforce development across the state. “If we’re serious about educating our kids, then we need to be serious about the opportunities we want them to have,” said Governor Meyer. 

https://delawarelive.com/youth-apprenticeship-meyer/

Shapiro Administration Highlights Nearly $400K Investment to Expand Early Childhood Education Pre-Apprenticeship Program in Philadelphia

The Shapiro Administration’s nearly $400,000 investment last fall enabled Philadelphia Academies Inc., in partnership with Parkway West High School, to launch its expanded Early Childhood Education Pre-Apprenticeship program. By increasing annual funding for workforce development by nearly $65 million since taking office, Governor Josh Shapiro is addressing workforce shortages and setting Pennsylvania’s workforce up for success for generations to come.

https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dli/newsroom/shapiro-administration-highlights-nearly--400k-investment-.html