Skills-Based Credentials Drive Higher Salaries and Lower Training Costs - Lin Grensing-Pophal, HR Daily Advisor

As workforce requirements shift dramatically in an era of rapidly developing technology—including generative AI (GenAI), employers are shifting their focus from educational credentials to a focus on specific skills. New data from Coursera’s 2025 Micro-Credentials Impact Report supports this shift and offers insights into how employers can develop a more skills-based focus for their talent acquisition and learning and development (L&D) efforts.

Adoption is dramatic. For example: 

97% of employers are already using or exploring skills-based hiring. 

90% say they’re willing to offer higher starting salaries to candidates with micro-credentials. 

89% of employers who have hired candidates with micro-credentials say they saved on training costs for those hires—with most saving 10–30% annually. 

https://hrdailyadvisor.com/2025/05/30/skills-based-credentials-drive-higher-salaries-and-lower-training-costs/

4 big reasons micro-credentials are off to a slow start - Mica Ward, District Administration

While some early adopters in K12 report high levels of interest among their students, the evidence is clear: significant barriers are keeping districts from scaling high-quality micro-credentialing programs. These hurdles include uneven program quality, a dearth of accountability, hesitancy from students and teachers to embrace the model, and a lack of rigorous evidence to support the credentials’ value. “Whether micro-credentialing achieves its full potential rests on its champions’ ability to overcome these obstacles,” the report reads.

https://districtadministration.com/article/4-big-reasons-micro-credentials-are-off-to-a-slow-start/

14 great online graduate certificate programs in agriculture - AGDAILY

For students who are looking to pursue a highly specialized course of study — or those who simply don’t want to pursue a long-term degree path — agriculture graduate certificates are a important option to consider. Many universities offer online graduate certificate programs in agriculture, which may be the perfect fit for someone eager to enter into the ag industry or build upon their current knowledge base. A graduate certificate can be awarded in as little as two semesters and is more affordable than a traditional degree. Certificates often teach highly specific skills or hone topics within larger fields — as opposed to degrees, which often are more broadly focused — while still building on the knowledge you gained as an undergrad. The value of this specialized educational experience is sought-after by agricultural companies, as well as being readily applicable to a farming or ranching operation or your ag career.

https://www.agdaily.com/insights/great-online-graduate-certificate-programs-in-agriculture/

Certificate Programs Surge as Bachelor's and Associate Degrees Decline, Report Finds - Walter Hudson, Diverse Education

For the third consecutive year, undergraduate certificate programs have reached a 10-year high in completion rates while traditional degree programs continue to decline, according to new data released Thursday by the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center. The annual Undergraduate Degree Earners report reveals shifting student preferences toward shorter, more affordable credential options in higher education. While more than 3.2 million learners earned undergraduate credentials in the 2023-24 academic year—a modest 0.6% increase from the previous year—the distribution across credential types shows significant changes in student behavior. Certificate program completions jumped 12.6% for first-time earners and 8.0% for students adding certificates to previous credentials. Meanwhile, bachelor's degree and associate degree attainment continued declining for the third straight year, with associate degrees hitting their lowest level in a decade.

https://www.diverseeducation.com/students/article/15742533/certificate-programs-surge-as-bachelors-and-associate-degrees-decline-report-finds

Boston U Expands AllCampus Partnership with New Non-Credit Certificate Programs - Rhea Kelly, Campus Technology

Boston University Metropolitan College's Center for Professional Education has expanded its relationship with online program management provider AllCampus. The agreement will extend support for BU's existing online Paralegal Studies Program and add new non-credit certificates in financial planning, professional fundraising, and genealogical studies. AllCampus provides marketing, recruitment, course development, and student support services to help institutions build both for-credit and non-credit online programs. BU worked with the company to launch its Paralegal Studies Program nearly a decade ago; the university's decision to expand the partnership was based on the program's success and AllCampus's tailored support and dedication to student outcomes, according to a news announcement.    

https://campustechnology.com/articles/2025/03/03/boston-u-expands-allcampus-partnership-with-new-non-credit-certificate-programs.aspx

Students can now earn a credential from more schools - Alcino Donadel, University Business

No education sector is limited to the kinds of credentials they award as schools—from K12 districts to four-year colleges and universities—broaden their efforts to swiftly upskill the emerging and mid-career workforce. No academic credential is resigned to a specific education sector anymore as schools—from K12 districts to four-year colleges and universities—ramp up efforts to swiftly upskill the emerging and mid-career workforce. Denver high school students can now earn an associate degree from an accredited technical college when they participate in a registered apprenticeship program and complete transferable general education courses.

https://universitybusiness.com/students-can-now-earn-a-credential-from-more-schools/

UNESCO IESALC releases key study on microcredentials and their impact on higher education in Latin America and the Caribbean - UNESCO

Microcredentials are gaining popularity, especially among women, who increasingly use them to access traditionally underrepresented fields such as STEM disciplines. Despite their growth, most countries are still in the early stages of developing regulatory frameworks and quality assurance mechanisms. Many institutions have created internal frameworks, but there is still a lack of common definitions and standards at the national and regional levels. The uncontrolled expansion of microcredentials poses a risk of market saturation and credential inflation, which could dilute their value and lead to fragmented educational pathways.

https://www.iesalc.unesco.org/en/articles/unesco-iesalc-releases-key-study-microcredentials-and-their-impact-higher-education-latin-america

WCC launches short-term programs to empower professionals - the Manila Times

WORLD Citi Colleges (WCC) officially launched its School of Career Advancement and Lifelong Education (Scale), marking a significant milestone in its commitment to delivering accessible, career-focused education for learners and professionals across industries, on May 15, 2025. Led by World Citi Colleges President Raymond Patrick Guico, the  institution launches its School of Career Advancement and Lifelong Education for learners and professionals across industries, on May 15, 2025. Led by World Citi Colleges President Raymond Patrick Guico, the institution launches its School of Career Advancement and Lifelong Education for learners and professionals across industries, on May 15, 2025. The event brought together professionals from diverse sectors and was graced by Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Executive Director 4 lawyer Cinderella Filipina Benitez-Jaro, who emphasized the relevance of micro-credentials in preparing learners for a globally competitive and rapidly changing workforce.

https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/05/26/tmt-newswire/wcc-launches-short-term-programs-to-empower-professionals/2120577

The inner game of women CEOs - Aalia Ratani, Carolyn Dewar, and Johanne Lavoie - McKinsey

Human-centric skills are more critical than ever in an increasingly complex world. Here’s how some women CEOs harness these strengths to meet the challenges of the role. What makes an effective CEO? In short, comfort with embracing polarities.  CEOs sit at the nexus of organizational tensions, balancing seemingly opposing demands. They must be confident and humble, decisive and empowering, professional and authentic. They must also deliver short-term results and offer a longer-term vision.

https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/people-and-organizational-performance/our-insights/the-inner-game-of-women-ceos

GVBOT pushes B.C. government on AI strategy ahead of Web Summit - Glenn Korstrom, BIV

The Greater Vancouver Board of Trade this week gave B.C. Premier David Eby's office a set of recommendations to call on how it wants the B.C. government to take action to fuel the province's artificial intelligence sector, its CEO Brigitte Anderson told BIV Wednesday. Anderson is urging B.C. to create academic courses and "micro-credentials or certifications" to help power a workforce ready to be part of the AI niche that is changing how business operates.  "As far as we know, there is no digital-skills index for the workforce in B.C., but we should be doing that," Anderson said. Micro-credential programs in B.C. for AI exist in B.C.

https://www.biv.com/news/technology/gvbot-pushes-bc-government-on-ai-strategy-ahead-of-web-summit-10692843

Partnership to Advance Edtech Ecosystem - 1EdTech & Digital Promise, Skills First Future (SHRM)

High-quality digital micro-credentials have the potential to help address many significant challenges facing both formal and informal education, including equity, agency, completion, and creating a better fit to employment opportunities. In March 2024, two global nonprofit organizations — 1EdTech®and Digital Promise — announced a partnership to support each other's work to create a greater impact on teaching and learning, particularly in digital credentials. The partnership is collaborating in the areas of trusted micro-credentials and badging.

https://www.shrm.org/foundation/skills-first-future/resource-library/resource-detail-page.71706__ag

The upskilling imperative: Required at scale for the future of work - McKinzie

Amid overall uncertainty, including about the future that AI will bring, two things are clear. One, jobs and occupations will change as new technologies are used to handle and support more tasks. The transition to AI is already underway, according to the results of the latest McKinsey American Opportunity Survey (AOS) in which roughly 20 percent of employed respondents say that they have used gen AI for work purposes. Two, as work transforms amid the adoption of new technologies, upskilling that enables occupation switching will be even more important than it is today.

https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/public-sector/our-insights/the-upskilling-imperative-required-at-scale-for-the-future-of-work

For new grads, landing a job may be hard. Navigating the workplace may be harder - Laura Pappano, Hechinger Report

Gen Zers often haven’t had practice at speaking up in large groups, asking for help or responding to authority figures. This generation, typically those born between 1997 and 2012, also has grown up with threats, from Covid to school shootings to the impact of social media, including bullying and self-doubt sown by pop culture pressures. This has led many to prioritize their mental well-being, according to research and experts who work with them.  Surveys repeatedly show that a large percentage of Gen Zers struggle with well-being and want to be able to talk about it at work.

https://hechingerreport.org/for-new-grads-landing-a-job-may-be-hard-navigating-the-workplace-may-be-harder/

New Mason Career Academy gives students and displaced federal workers immediate access to industry certificates and micro-credentials - Paola Duran, George Mason University

George Mason University has launched Mason Career Academy, a new online learning resource that is free for current students, faculty, and staff to develop new skills, and is available to displaced federal workers for a small registration fee. Mason Career Academy offers access to more than 90 online micro-credential courses and industry-recognized certifications in fields, such as data analytics, cybersecurity, project management, and information technology (IT) support. 

https://www.gmu.edu/news/2025-05/new-mason-career-academy-gives-students-and-displaced-federal-workers-immediate-access

New financial literacy training aims to empower new and aspiring business owners - Penobscot Bay Pilot

The Maine Business School and University of Maine Cooperative Extension have joined forces to create Finances in a Flash, an innovative online training designed to enhance financial literacy among Maine’s professionals, entrepreneurs and small business owners. This interactive, self-paced course offers a comprehensive overview of essential financial management topics, including budgeting, cash flow analysis, emergency fund planning and understanding key financial statements. In just under two hours, participants can acquire practical skills to make informed financial decisions and strengthen their business acumen.

https://www.penbaypilot.com/index.php/article/new-financial-literacy-training-aims-empower-new-and-aspiring-business-owners/258116

How Microcredentials Can Boost Your Starting Salary By Up To 15% - Caroline Castrillon, Forbes

\In a job market where employers increasingly value specialized skills, microcredentials have emerged as powerful salary boosters. New research reveals that 90% of employers offer higher starting salaries, up to 15% more, for candidates with these targeted certifications. Coursera’s 2025 Microcredentials Impact Report confirms these financial benefits: 28% of entry-level workers with microcredentials received raises, while 21% earned promotions after certification. "Employer demand for skills-based hiring requires educators to prioritize skills-based learning," explains Francesca Lockhart of the University of Texas at Austin, highlighting the growing gap between traditional education and rapidly shifting job qualifications.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/carolinecastrillon/2025/05/16/how-micro-credentials-can-boost-your-starting-salary-by-up-to-15-percent/

90% Of Employers Agree They’d Pay People With This One Thing On Their Resume 10-15% More - Alexis Faible, Your Tango

90% of employers agree they'd pay people with micro-credentials on their resumes more.

"Micro-credentials help students, employers, and universities adapt quickly," according to Coursera Enterprise. Employers place a high value on candidates with micro-credentials, as ith Coursera Enterprise reported, "Globally, 96% of employers say micro-credentials strengthen a candidate’s job application. Additionally, 9 in 10 are willing to offer micro-credential holders a higher starting salary." 

https://www.yourtango.com/career/people-one-thing-resume-more-likely-paid-more

Copyright alone cannot protect the future of creative work - Mark MacCarthy, Brookings

AI challenges the future of creative work. Copyright law has a role to play, but the needed policy response must come from elsewhere. According to current guidelines, AI-generated works are not eligible for copyright protection. This has broad implications, especially around how content companies might register their works or disclaim content generated by AI. Transparency measures for how AI is trained have been introduced at the state and federal level, but these might be premature if AI firms succeed in their fair use claims in the courts. 

https://www.brookings.edu/articles/copyright-alone-cannot-protect-the-future-of-creative-work/

Micro-credentialing is revolutionising education – NOUN VC - Owede Agbajileke, Abuja, the Guardian Nigeria

The Vice-Chancellor, National Open University of Nigeria, Prof. Olufemi Peters, has said micro-credentialing is reshaping the landscape of education and professional development. This is even as he called on the National Universities Commission (NUC) to take the lead in developing clear definitions, standards, and goals for micro-credentialing in Nigeria. The Vice-Chancellor stated this in Abuja on Tuesday while declaring open a regional consultative meeting for West Africa organised by the Regional Training and Research Institute for Open and Distance Learning (RETRIDOL), National Open University of Nigeria, in collaboration with the Commonwealth of Learning. The Guardian reports that the event, which has as its theme “Commonwealth Credit Transfer Framework: Micro-credentials in a Digital Age”, witnessed participants from Togo, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Cameroon, and Ghana.

https://guardian.ng/features/education/micro-credentialing-is-revolutionising-education-noun-vc

Trump Sends Mixed Signals on Apprenticeships - Sara Weissman

President Trump issued an executive order last month instructing federal officials to “reach and surpass” a million new active apprenticeships. It was an ambitious target that apprenticeship advocates celebrated, anticipating new federal investments in more paid on-the-job training programs, in new industries and via a more efficient system. “After years of shuffling Americans through an economically unproductive postsecondary system, President Trump will refocus young Americans on career preparation,” federal officials wrote in a fact sheet on the order. They also emphasized that the federal government spends billions on the Workforce Investment and Opportunity Act, or WIOA, and Career and Technical Education, but “neither of these programs are structured to promote apprenticeships or have incentives to meet workforce training needs.”

https://www.insidehighered.com/news/government/politics-elections/2025/05/13/trump-sends-mixed-signals-apprenticeship-and-job

New research highlights gaps in financial education for diverse learners - Massey News

The research project, Developing Culturally Sustaining and Equitable Financial Education Resources for Young Diverse Learners, was led by a team from the Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University’s Financial Education and Research Centre (Fin-Ed Centre) and the Institute of Education. It focused on how families with children aged 10 to 15 engage with financial situations in their daily lives. Through surveys and interviews with 87 families, the study sought to understand the values, practices and expectations surrounding financial learning in the home. The study found that most parents talk openly about money with their children, sharing advice on saving, budgeting and spending. However, parents also expressed a strong desire for schools to provide consistent, culturally-aware financial education. Director of the Fin-Ed Centre Dr Pushpa Wood ONZM says families are doing a great job laying the foundation, but financial education should not be left to chance.

https://www.massey.ac.nz/about/news/new-research-highlights-gaps-in-financial-education-for-diverse-learners/