The Community College Internship Program at NREL

The Community College Internship (CCI) program is a U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science undergraduate education and research program. Participation in the CCI program at NREL is designed to complement academic programs and provide students with valuable, hands-on technical and research experience. NREL provides the opportunity for interns to train as technicians or scientific researchers in world-class laboratory facilities under the direction of staff who serve as research advisers and mentors.

https://www2.nrel.gov/careers/community-college-internship

What Students Value in Internships - Ashley Mowreader, Inside Higher Ed

New data from Handshake shows current students place value on trying out careers through internships and look for fair pay when choosing a role. The value of internships for students’ career navigation and future employment opportunities is clear for colleges and many employers. But what do students think of internship experiences, and how do they benefit them in their future planning? A new report from Handshake, published Feb. 20, highlights trends across students who have and have not participated in internships, the impact on their goals beyond college, and the barriers that hinder engagement. Among the trends present: More interns are participating in paid internships and earning above minimum wage while doing so, and company culture can influence students’ willingness to return for a full-time position.

https://www.insidehighered.com/news/student-success/life-after-college/2025/02/21/12-college-students-wont-participate-internship

Penn State faculty, employers, students offer advice on summer internship process - Elsa Brumbaugh, The Daily Collegian

As Penn State students prepare for the second half of spring semester, many are fully immersed in the summer internship hunt. Finding a summer internship may feel like a daunting task — endless applications, stressful interviews, inevitable rejections — but the university has plenty of resources to offer. Bob Martin is the assistant dean for the Office of Internships and Career Placement in the Bellisario College of Communications, which offers a variety of services, including in-person appointments, mock interviews and resume reviews to help students land internships and eventually entry-level jobs.

https://www.psucollegian.com/news/penn-state-faculty-employers-students-offer-advice-on-summer-internship-process/article_97547b3c-f881-11ef-9bff-2b0b887349e2.html

Kendall Unfiltered: All majors should require internship to graduate - Kendall Timms, the Post

Hands-on learning is integral in expanding your knowledge and preparing you for the workforce. It can also show you if you actually want to be in that field or not, because some people think a certain career will be exactly what they want to do, until they actually do it and realize it’s not for them. Forbes explains the importance of internships by stating, “School teaches skills but doesn't give exposure to what work is like in real life… Not only do you get to learn from experts, you get to pick their brain on how they got to where they are.” Having an internship was very important for my career path in broadcast journalism because it’s a very demanding field and I needed to prepare myself for that. I did my internship at a news station in Columbus, Ohio, and got to see and do the day-to-day operations of a reporter and truly learn what that grind is like. 

https://www.thepostathens.com/article/2025/03/internships-college-required-experience-workforce-career-building

Who’s Not Applying for Internships? - Ashley Mowreader, Inside Higher Ed

While internships are a high-impact practice tied to student completion and job placement after college, not every student is taking advantage of internships. For some, time is a barrier, with a high academic course load and outside of class activities that put pressure on learners. For others, paying for college means they can’t take time away from their current jobs or need payment to participate in an internship. Recent data from Handshake shows gaps in application trends among student majors. Students in business, computer science and engineering majors are twice as likely to have applied to an internship by senior year compared to those in social sciences, art and design, general studies, or health professions.

https://www.insidehighered.com/news/student-success/life-after-college/2025/03/06/data-trends-internship-applications-college

Ridges Sanctuary, College affiliation opens new doors to learning - Linda Blaser, Lake Forest College

Lake Forest College is pleased to announce a budding interdisciplinary affiliation with The Ridges Sanctuary, a leading environmental conservation organization in Bailey’s Harbor, Door County, Wisconsin. This affiliation, implemented under the leadership of Krebs Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Tara Natarajan, offers students unique hands-on learning experiences in both field research and environmental studies—further setting the College apart as a leader in immersive experiential education.

https://www.lakeforest.edu/news-and-events/ridges-sanctuary-college-affiliation-opens-new-doors-to-learning

Mid-career allowance for part-time courses applies to transition programme, full qualifications up to undergrad degree - Business Times

It will also apply to micro-credentials that are stacked to these full qualifications, said Minister of State for Education Gan Siow Huang at the ministry’s Committee of Supply debate on Thursday (Mar 6). “While some learners would hope for a broader set of courses to be eligible, the Ministry of Education (MOE) has to strike a balance between flexibility and prudent use of public funds,” said Terence Ho, associate professor in practice at the National University of Singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. Part of the SkillsFuture Level-Up Programme, the allowance is for mid-career Singaporean workers aged 40 and above. Its expansion to part-time courses, from next year, was announced in Budget 2025.

https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/singapore/mid-career-allowance-part-time-courses-applies-transition-programme-full-qualifications-undergrad

Why the University of Texas System is offering microcredentials to students — for free - Lilah Burke, Higher Ed Dive

 Microcredentials are often touted as a way for students and working adults to learn skills and move into new industries without the same time and money commitment required to pursue a college degree. But some college officials are working to pair microcredentials with a traditional four-year education. The University of Texas System expanded its partnership with Coursera late last year to provide some 15,000 students across its five health campuses with free access to the online learning platform’s microcredentials. Through the partnership, students, faculty, staff, and alumni have access to Coursera’s Career Academy, which offers some 50 professional certificate programs with companies like Google and Microsoft. 

https://www.highereddive.com/news/ut-system-coursera-partnership-microcredentials/740906/

8 tips for employers hiring candidates early in their careers for transportation jobs - College Recruiter

Hiring early-career transportation professionals isn’t just about finding people with the right licenses or certifications—it’s about identifying candidates who are dependable, safety-conscious, and adaptable to changing conditions. Employers should look for individuals who’ve shown responsibility and strong work ethics through internships, part-time jobs, or hands-on training programs.

https://www.collegerecruiter.com/blog/2025/02/24/8-tips-for-employers-hiring-candidates-early-in-their-careers-for-transportation-jobs

FIBAA Introduces Revised Assessment Guide for Certified Continuing Education Courses and Micro-Credentials - Olga Leshchanskaya, Foundation for International Business Administration Accreditation

FIBAA is pleased to announce the adoption of its newly revised Assessment Guide for Certified Continuing Education Courses and Micro-Credentials. Approved during the 16th FAZK meeting, the updated guide will take effect on March 1, 2025. The revision reflects FIBAA’s commitment to maintaining high-quality standards in continuing education while adapting to evolving educational trends and quality assurance requirements.

https://idw-online.de/en/news847969

Additional health and safety online courses offered to PEI workers and employers - OHS Canada

The Workers Compensation Board (WCB) of Prince Edward Island has launched three additional online certificate courses, building on the success of the first five courses it launched less than a year ago. These courses are free on the WCB website. The three new courses are: ergonomics; developing a respiratory protection program; and hearing conservation programs. “The goal of the courses is to provide practical knowledge and insights into occupational health and safety and compensation topics that support both workers and employers,” said Danny Miller, the WCB’s director of occupational health and safety. “Since the initial five courses were released in May 2024, more than 400 individuals have registered for courses and 516 completion have been completed."

https://www.ohscanada.com/additional-health-and-safety-online-courses-offered-to-pei-workers-and-employers/

A College Degree Isn’t for Everyone - Susan H. Greenberg, Inside Higher Ed

Kathleen deLaski unpacks her new book, which envisions higher education as a stepladder to skills that learners collect over a lifetime and present to employers. In her eloquent new book, Who Needs College Anymore? Imagining a Future Where Degrees Won’t Matter (Harvard Education Press), Kathleen deLaski, a former journalist who founded the Education Design Lab to help colleges develop alternative pathways for learners to achieve their goals, traces the history of the skills-based education movement and outlines a compelling vision for a future where hiring and economic success are driven by skills—not degrees. DeLaski, who also teaches at George Mason University and serves on the board of Credential Engine, a nonprofit seeking to create standards and clarity for alternative credentials, spoke with Inside Higher Ed via Zoom.

https://www.insidehighered.com/news/tech-innovation/alternative-credentials/2025/02/24/new-book-envisions-future-where-degrees

The Growing Importance of Micro-Credentials in Higher Education - Thaís Roberto, Keystone Education Group

Micro-credentials are competing more and more with traditional higher education programs, following quick shifts in the global job market. These short certifications, focused on specific knowledge and skills, are gaining space as candidates seek more flexible and targeted qualifications. We explore the growing importance of micro-credentials in higher education, examining their impact on career advancement, the evolving job market, and the role of technology in shaping this educational trend.

https://www.keg.com/news/the-rising-significance-of-micro-credentials-in-higher-education

McDonald's and Walmart will give employees college credit for on-the-job work - Ben Kesslen, Quartz

Walmart and McDonald’s believe the work some of their employees do merits college credit — and they’ve managed to get a slew of colleges on board. Workers at the two companies who pursue college degrees on the side can get credit for various work and on-the-job training programs, NPR reports. It’s part of corporate America’s efforts to attract, retain, and train employees. At Walmart, it’s also part of the company’s work to create a talent pipeline that it can promote from within.

https://qz.com/mcdonalds-walmart-employees-college-credit-work-1851581058

The big career benefits of micro-credentials - Dean Lisk, Toronto Star

For people looking to acquire new skills, whether because they have recently been promoted at work, want to advance their career or are a student or senior looking to expand their knowledge, micro-credentials are a simple solution. “I find that they are helpful for people who are looking to quickly learn a new skill,” said Minette Klazinga, the program manager of part-time studies at Fanshawe College, which has multiple campuses across Ontario. The college is one of several institutions across Canada that offer micro-credentials, which are fast, focused learning opportunities that can usually be completed in a short period of time and cover a diverse range of subjects.

https://www.thestar.com/sponsored-sections/insiders-guide/the-big-career-benefits-of-micro-credentials/article_9c4f00ec-efc3-11ef-a469-7fb7381be0ff.html

The British University in Dubai and the American Society for Engineering Management sign a Memorandum of Understanding - Zawaya

The British University in Dubai (BUiD) and the American Society for Engineering Management (ASEM) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The purpose of the MOU is to collaborate to promote and facilitate the development and delivery of engineering management professional development training courses and micro credentials via the Certified Knowledge Provider programme. Prof Bassam Abu Hijleh, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and IT commented: “BUiD’s partnership with ASEM began in 2019 when the university’s Engineering Management MSc programme became the first in the Middle East to receive ASEM’s professional accreditation. 

https://www.zawya.com/en/press-release/companies-news/the-british-university-in-dubai-and-the-american-society-for-engineering-management-sign-a-memorandum-of-understanding-p61m4tpp

Additional online courses offered to support PEI workers and employers - Workers Compensation Board

Building on the success of the first five courses it launched less than a year ago, the Workers Compensation Board (WCB) is pleased to announce that three additional online certificate courses are now available. These courses are free, and they are available to anyone at the click of a button on the WCB website. The three new courses are: Ergonomics, Developing a Respiratory Protection Program and Hearing Conservation Programs. “The goal of the courses is to provide practical knowledge and insights into occupational health and safety and compensation topics that support both workers and employers,” said Danny Miller, the WCB’s Director of Occupational Health and Safety. “Since the initial five courses were released in May 2024, over 400 individuals have registered for courses and 516 completion certificates have been delivered.”

https://www.wcb.pe.ca/Information/NewsItem/1157

Micro-credentials: A New Era in Professional Development - Governance Institute of Australia

 In today’s rapidly evolving workplace, professional skills can soon become obsolete. In order to keep up with changing demands, shorter, cheaper and more practical credentials are required. Micro-credentials are concise, certification-style courses designed to enhance proficiency in a particular area of study within a shorter timeframe.

https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=96633f47-7640-4026-a7fe-e33249ea5dfe

The 2nd C2-FRONTS International Collaboration Promotion Meeting. - Gifu University

In this meeting, Professor INOUE Masahiro from Keio University (Tokyo) participated online and gave a lecture on 'The Latest Trends in Micro-Credentials1.' In the lecture, detailed explanations were provided on the development of micro-credentials both domestically and internationally, and how each institution should respond in the future. Particularly, the insights on the potential for international collaboration using micro-credentials and the challenges in their implementation were extremely valuable for the participants. Gifu University will continue to promote international collaboration through frequent information sharing with related institutions and striving for further development.

https://www.gifu-u.ac.jp/en/news/news/2025/02/entry17-14224.html

Should I Get Microcredentials To Complement My Four-Year Degree In Today’s Job Market? - Maja Zelihic, Forbes

The data supports this evolution. A 2023 report by the Education Design Lab highlights that 70% of employers recognize microcredentials as valuable indicators of specialized skills, while 87% continue to value the foundational knowledge provided by traditional degrees. As micropathways grow in popularity, they are increasingly regarded as complementary to degrees rather than standalone solutions. The conversation is shifting from choosing one path over the other to understanding how they work together to create versatile, future-ready professionals.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/majazelihic/2025/01/27/should-i-get-microcredentials-to-complement-my-four-year-degree-in-todays-job-market/

The future of education: Heriot-Watt University’s Professor Richard A Williams shares insights - Gulf News

In an in-depth conversation with Gulf Business, Professor Richard A Williams, Principal and Vice Chancellor of Heriot-Watt University, shares the key trends transforming education today. He also talks about bridging the skills gap and the impact of AI on students and society. Furthermore, he discusses the rising demand for micro-credentials and the importance of raising awareness about sustainability.

https://gulfbusiness.com/videolinks/heriot-watt-principal-prof-richard-williams-on-education/