How Micro-Credentials Are Shaping The Future Of AI-Driven Learners Forbes Technology Council - Venkatadri Marella, Forbes

As AI is implemented in industries ranging from finance to healthcare to manufacturing, one thing is for sure: the future belongs to those who can learn continuously and prove their skills in a hurry. That's why micro-credentials—bite-sized, stackable credentials for single skills—are stepping into the spotlight as a powerful driver of future learners in the age of AI.

https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbestechcouncil/2025/09/24/how-micro-credentials-are-shaping-the-future-of-ai-driven-learners/

A taste of the future through global food tech experience - Massey University (NZ)

“I’d always wanted to see how food science was taught in another country, and Jiangnan is known as one of the best universities in the world for food technology. When the programme was advertised, it felt like the perfect way to spend my break and to travel," Yvonne says. Supported by a scholarship from Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University’s Office of Global Partnerships, the third-year Bachelor of Food Technology (Honours) student joined other students from around the world for a hands-on exploration of food technology. “We visited food factories, studied different areas of food science, and even made gelato. It was such a creative and exciting experience. I met people from all over Asia and learned how different cultures approach food production and development."

https://www.massey.ac.nz/about/news/a-taste-of-the-future-through-global-food-tech-experience/

Preliminary Launches C-GWECLA a Global Certification for Job Seekers

Birmingham, United Kingdom, 20th Sep 2025 - Preliminary (preliminary.online), a Birmingham-based online training provider, today announced the launch of its Certificate in Global Work Ethics, Culture & Language Adaptation (C-GWECLA). This program offers candidates short, job-readiness training with verifiable digital certificates, supporting individuals preparing to pursue employment opportunities overseas. Preliminary Launches C-GWECLA a Global Certification for Job Seekers

Developed as part of Preliminary's commitment to workforce readiness, the C-GWECLA equips participants with cultural awareness, workplace professionalism, and language adaptation skills. The program also enlightens learners on how to recognize and avoid cultural bias, encouraging them to adapt positively to diverse workplace environments. Training is delivered fully online, and candidates receive a secure digital certificate upon completion.

https://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/news/revupmarketer/preliminary-launches-c-gwecla-global-certification-1119484579.html

Crash courses bridge financial skills gap - Barbara Carrs, Reminetwork

A selection of online, crash courses are now available to guide career rookies and/or veterans in non-financial disciplines through commercial real estate’s key accounting and budgeting concepts. Attendees at the recent Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) of Canada’s annual conference were offered complimentary access to one of five short courses that underpin a newly launched micro-credential, which can also be recognized as a component of a full Real Property Administrator (RPA) or Facilities Management Administrator (FMA) designation. “We’ve introduced the micro-credential to meet skill gap needs in the market. In particular, it’s targeting property managers and facilities managers coming into the industry, to help them get up to speed in the areas where they need to be able to hit the ground running when they start work for a commercial real estate firm,” explains Andrea Sine, senior vice president with BOMA International, who was on hand for BOMA Canada’s BOMEX event in Halifax.

https://www.reminetwork.com/articles/crash-courses-bridge-financial-skills-gap/

US faces shortfall of 5.3M college-educated workers by 2032 - Laura Spitalniak, Higher Ed Dive

Nursing, teaching and engineering would experience the largest gaps, per a study from Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce. The U.S. will need over 5 million additional workers who have at least some postsecondary education by 2032, according to a report released Tuesday by Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce. Of that total, 4.5 million will need at least a bachelor’s degree, according to the report. Degree-requiring positions facing “critical skills shortages” include nurses, teachers and engineers, it said.

https://www.highereddive.com/news/us-faces-shortfall-of-53m-college-educated-workers-by-2032/760155/

SCCCD partners with Ed2go to offer online courses for professional growth and development - Jessica Harrington, ABC30

As the job market gets more competitive, The Training Institute through State Center Community College District is making it easy for students to advance their skills and learn new ones. Frank Nuñez is the District Director Trade and Training. "The Training Institute is the not for credit, arm of State Center Community College District, and so we do a lot of short term programs, a lot of professional development," Nuñez said. While they offer on-site training such as truck driving certification and careers in the medical profession, they also have a partnership with Ed2go.

https://abc30.com/post/scccd-partners-ed2go-offer-online-courses-professional-growth-development/17750150/

Students Who Want to Teach Theatre Can Now Earn a Credential at CSUF - Cal State Fullerton

For undergraduates who love theatre but may not dream of celebrity, a teaching credential program launching this fall offers another avenue to use their degree. The one-year program will prepare students with a Bachelor of Arts to get their theatre credential and then teach in K-12 schools. Students with a B.A. in any subject can apply to the program, though if their degree isn’t in theatre they’ll first need to pass a state exam.

https://news.fullerton.edu/2025/09/students-who-want-to-teach-theatre-can-now-earn-a-credential-at-csuf/

The Declining ROI of MBA Degrees and the Rise of Alternative Skill-Building Platforms - Eli Grant, AInvest

- Micro-credentials ($500–$5K) offer faster ROI (12–18 months) with 15%–30% salary boosts, prioritizing job-ready skills over generalized degrees.

- Employers increasingly value micro-credentials equally to MBAs (68% LinkedIn survey), reflecting a shift toward skills over degree prestige.

- Hybrid models (e.g., MIT MicroMasters) and AI-driven learning platforms are reshaping education by blending affordability with personalized, on-demand upskilling.

https://www.ainvest.com/news/declining-roi-mba-degrees-rise-alternative-skill-building-platforms-2509/

Sask Polytech launches micro-credentials to support manufacturing and agriculture sectors - Education News Canada

Saskatchewan Polytechnic is helping Canadian workers adapt to a rapidly changing economy with new micro-credentials targeting manufacturing and agricultural technology. As new technologies reshape industries, employers and workers face growing pressure to keep pace. Targeted upskilling is emerging as one of the most effective ways to build resilience, support growth and stay competitive. Canadian workers are among the most educated in the world, but the supply of skilled labour in advanced manufacturing and agricultural technology is falling behind industry demand. 

https://educationnewscanada.com/article/education/level/colleges/2/1159087/sask-polytech-launches-micro-credentials-to-support-manufacturing-and-agriculture-sectors.html

COLUMN: Education micro-credentials more in line with employer needs - Jennifer Ellis, Lawton Constitution

The concept is simple: learners develop a specific competency, pass an assessment to prove it, and earn a credential that complements, not replaces, a degree. In practice, these credentials are becoming more aligned with the needs of employers. The purpose is twofold. For learners, micro-credentials offer speed and relevance. They help people to pivot in their careers, upskill after a layoff, or deepen their expertise without committing to a multi-year program. For employers, a micro-credential can certify skills in specific software, data analysis techniques, regulatory knowledge, or project management methods. In a rapidly changing job market, such credentials help bridge the gap between learning and doing, benefiting both employers and employees.

https://www.swoknews.com/multimedia/photo_galleries/column-education-micro-credentials-more-in-line-with-employer-needs/article_952dc653-d408-5930-8453-040c86814b13.html

Udemy's cofounder said he's got a way to avoid hiring interns for 'painful and inefficient' work that one person can do - Kwan Wei Kevin Tan, Business Insider

"It was painful and inefficient. I spent as much time training the interns as I got value from their work. But it worked, and we reached thousands of leads to get Udemy off the ground," he added. But the rise of AI-powered tools meant that interns were no longer needed for such tasks, Biyani wrote on LinkedIn. "15 years later at Maven, we now have one person who is more productive than that entire team," Biyani said, adding that AI allowed the employee to "parse through millions of people and find the exact profile you're looking for.""She's as productive as that entire intern team (with less oversight from me)," Biyani continued.

https://www.businessinsider.com/udemy-cofounder-avoid-hiring-interns-inefficient-work-2025-9

The Relationship Between Online Learning Self-Efficacy and Learning Engagement: The Mediating Role of Achievement Motivation and Flow Among Registered Nurses - Tong ZhouTong Zhou1, et al; Frontiers in Psychology

This study aimed to investigate the mediating effects of achievement motivation and flow in the relationship between online learning self-efficacy and learning engagement among registered nurses (RNs). Background Learning engagement is a critical predictor of core professional competencies in nursing. Understanding the factors that influence learning engagement is essential for designing effective educational strategies that support RNs' professional development. Online learning self-efficacy exerts both direct and indirect influences on learning engagement, with the indirect effect mediated by achievement motivation and flow experiences. 

https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1629174/abstract

UBC micro-credential programs have macro impact for a changing workforce - Brian Helberg, University of British Columbia

Continuous learning isn’t just important for people looking to advance their careers—it’s crucial for fueling a workforce that can power a changing economy. UBC’s micro-credential programs provide a flexible, affordable way for anyone, regardless of where they live or education level, to get skills needed for the current and future job market. Micro-credentials are focused programs designed to teach practical, career-ready skills. Offered through UBC Extended Learning and many faculties at UBC, these programs are a solution for professionals looking to quickly gain skills in areas ranging from artificial intelligence to climate change, to writing and communication. 

https://news.ubc.ca/2025/09/ubc-micro-credential-programs-have-macro-impact-for-a-changing-workforce/

Accreditors’ New Frontier - Sara Weissman, Inside Higher Ed

Now, two accrediting agencies are stepping into that murky terrain, hoping to bring some order—and branch out into a new market. Both the New England Commission of Higher Education and the Higher Learning Commission, which has been researching short-term programs for eight years, are gearing up to assess whether providers of these programs meet their standards. This past spring, NECHE voted to start endorsing noncredit program providers, including traditional four-year and two-year higher ed institutions and external organizations that offer these programs. This fall, the Higher Learning Commission is launching its own endorsement for microcredential providers, specifically those outside higher ed. The accreditor has been working since 2017 to think through the role it could play in an evolving higher ed landscape. With funding from Lumina and ECMC, it started a think tank on the topic to consult with experts and, two years later, launched its Credential Lab, a hub to help institutions and students navigate the rapid expansion of short-term credentials.

https://www.insidehighered.com/news/governance/accreditation/2025/09/08/accreditors-venture-microcredential-landscape

Statement by Colleges Ontario on Prime Minister Carney’s tariff response announcement: Colleges key to Canada’s economic future - Colleges Ontario

Prime Minister Mark Carney today announced new measures to support Canadian industries and workers affected by the ongoing trade dispute with the United States, including reskilling and employment supports. Ontario’s colleges welcome federal leadership and the focus on economic resilience through retaining, upskilling and increased investments through Labour Market Development Agreements (LMDAs) with provinces and territories. With a long history of partnering with local employers, Ontario’s colleges are leaders reskilling to ensure that local labour markets have the graduates and workers they need. Ontario’s public colleges currently train nearly half of the province’s manufacturing, nuclear, utilities and mining workforce, have more than 15,000 nursing students enrolled and deliver over 80 per cent of in-class apprenticeship training each year.

https://www.collegesontario.org/en/news/colleges-key-to-canada-s-economic-future

Why liberal arts schools are now hopping on skills-based microcredentials - Alcino Donadel, University Business

New market demands are pushing small, four-year liberal arts colleges to offer microcredentials, indicating growing momentum across sectors of higher education to elevate workforce readiness within their academic offerings. Chief learning officers at community colleges are leading the charge in expanding non-degree offerings, reporting the highest levels of institutional investment in this area. Meanwhile, large research universities—like the University of Colorado Boulder and the University of Tennessee at Knoxville—are catching up. However, strict faculty governance and curriculum processes and different accreditation standards have caused some liberal arts schools to lag, says Mike Simmons, an associate executive director at the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers.

https://universitybusiness.com/why-liberal-arts-schools-are-now-hopping-on-skills-based-microcredentials/

Lost in a sea of skills? How employers can shift to skills-based hiring - Stacy Thomas, HR Reporter

In looking at the fastest-growing competencies for the next decade, Resume Now found they predictably include big data, AI and technological literacy — but resilience and empathy are also emerging as crucial qualities for future talent. The platform analyzed World Economic Forum and Burning Glass data to predict what the most valuable skills will be in 2030, stating: “For employers, this highlights the value of supporting skill development and recognizing alternative credentials that lead to results.” For Eddy Ng, Smith professor of equity and inclusion in business at Queen’s University, while technical skills are gaining attention, employers should not lose fact of the foundational value of soft skills like empathy and leadership.

https://www.hrreporter.com/focus-areas/people-analytics/lost-in-a-sea-of-skills-how-employers-can-shift-to-skills-based-hiring/393306

Job credentials are on the rise. Here's what it means for students and higher ed / Opinion - Candice McQueen, Tennessean

Higher education is at a turning point. Driven by shifting student needs, evolving workforce demands and rapid technological change, the traditional four-year degree is no longer the only path to success. As Education Trust notes, “There is a growing interest in short-term credentials, which offer alternatives to traditional four-year degrees and are gaining support across the political spectrum.”These alternatives — certificates, micro-credentials and other focused programs — are becoming attractive options for students, employers and policymakers alike, offering pathways to employment without the weight of crippling debt.

https://www.tennessean.com/story/opinion/contributors/2025/09/04/higher-education-job-readiness-credentials-certifications/85956674007/

University of Texas at San Antonio joins elite ranks of Adobe Creative Campus Innovators - Adobe Education

Known for its commitment to innovation in education, The University of Texas at San Antonio (UT San Antonio) has been named one of the first Adobe Creative Campus Innovators. This new designation honors universities that champion creative thinking, forward-looking instruction, and transformative learning experiences — going beyond simply adopting Adobe tools to truly reimagining how students learn and grow. As a longtime Adobe Creative Campus, UT San Antonio empowers students to gain a competitive edge in the job market through Adobe microcredentials. These short, skill-focused credentials recognize students’ mastery in areas like presentation design, generative AI, and digital storytelling. Designed to be self-paced and completed in just a few hours, microcredentials offer students the flexibility to fit creative skill-building into their busy academic lives.

https://blog.adobe.com/en/publish/2025/09/02/university-of-texas-san-antonio-joins-elite-ranks-adobe-creative-campus-innovators

Beyond the Transcript: How Microcredentials Are Changing the Way Students Showcase Skills - Allegehny College, Pittsburgh Magazine

Allegheny College’s new program gives graduates a digital edge in a competitive world. In today’s competitive job market, a traditional college transcript often fails to capture the full range of a student’s abilities. That’s where microcredentials come in — and Allegheny College is embracing them with a new program launching in the 2025–26 academic year. Through the initiative, students can earn digital badges in skills-based areas alongside their majors and minors. Credentials in fields such as data analysis, cybersecurity, content creation, and programming will help students demonstrate real-world competencies to employers and graduate schools.

https://www.pittsburghmagazine.com/allegheny-college-microcredentials/

More learning pathways for health and social sector workforce supporting those with long term health conditions - Toitū te Waiora

Toitū te Waiora Workforce Development Council developed a suite of skill standards, micro-credentials, and a qualification, in collaboration with Diabetes New Zealand, Arthritis New Zealand – Matemōpōpōna Aotearoa, Stroke Aotearoa New Zealand, and the Heart Foundation, with support from Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora. The micro-credentials can be assessed by new skill standards approved in February 2025, and ‘stacked’ to award of the New Zealand Certificate in Long-Term Health Conditions qualification. Learners can complete each micro-credential separately, choosing the topics most relevant to their work or learning goals. If a learner completes all five micro-credentials, they will be eligible for award of the New Zealand Certificate in Long-Term Health Conditions qualification.

https://www.nzdoctor.co.nz/article/undoctored/more-learning-pathways-health-and-social-sector-workforce-supporting-those-long