Irish Medtech Skillnet ’s Post

We live in a world where learning opportunities exist everywhere, in both formal and nonformal settings. Large-scale online courses, corporate or other workplace learning opportunities, skill or competency-based short courses, and self-paced learning modules are offered by institutions and third-party organizations alike. These "prior learning" experiences are a very real component of the learner ecosystem. The latest AACRAO report on the Landscape of Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) is a mixed report card on post-secondary institutional assessment practices: Some highlights: --82% of the responding institutions offer one or more CPL pathways to learners --54% will not accept CPL in transfer, independent of whether CPL is offered at the institution --67% charge a fee for one or more types of CPL; few offer financial assistance to offset any fees --71% of institutions require a learner to be admitted to the institution before CPL can be evaluated for credit; 13% do not and the remaining 16% report, “maybe, it depends on a number of factors” "It’s clear that while opportunities to access nonformal and nontraditional learning have multiplied, institutional capacity, in the form of policies, practices, and systems has not kept pace with the explosion of learning opportunities." - Melanie Gottlieb, CAE Read more about the barriers to recognizing learning in the latest #BeyondTransfer featured in Inside Higher Ed: https://lnkd.in/gSyJHk5E

🌟 Discover the Power of Micro-Credentials! 🌟 Micro-credentials certify the learning outcomes of short-term learning experiences, such as short courses or training. They offer a flexible, targeted way to help you develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies needed for personal and professional growth. Across Europe and globally, micro-credentials are rapidly evolving to provide modern learning opportunities. The MASTERY project is at the forefront, focusing on green skills to meet the demand for updated professional profiles. This initiative targets the Agri-food, Construction, Wood, and Manufacturing sectors. Learn more about how micro-credentials can support your professional development! 🌱🔗 #MicroCredentials #GreenSkills #ProfessionalDevelopment #SustainableManagement #MASTERYProject

An insightful and interesting article with the Irish Times about the many amazing benefits of micro-credential courses. Have a read to find out more about potential fee subsidies, upskilling and the importance of being a lifelong learner. MicroCreds #MicroCredentials #MicroCreds #LifelongLearner #Upskilling

MSc in Strategic Learning & Development - limited places still available - closing date for applications August 20th. Funding is currently being allocated for the 2024/25 programme (20% funding available), so if you are interested in applying for this programme and would like to discuss your application, please contact us immediately. The first intake (class of 2022/23) have just graduated - here's what three members of that class said about the programme: 👉 I was delighted when I first learned of the Masters programme via an email from the L&DI. It was exactly what I had been looking for, a programme that would blend a traditional academic approach to andragogy with actual current industry needs. Another aspect that particularly drew me to the programmes was that of having a strategic lens, which can be an area that L&D professionals sometimes struggle with at an organisational level when seeking to be seen as credible strategic partners. 👉 The Master’s was attractive because it was a new and unique collaboration between DCU and L&DI and it was pitched at a strategic level. Given that my business provides consultancy to clients, it is imperative I keep up-to-date with contemporary thinking, both on an academic and practical level. It was also a fantastic opportunity to network with other experts in our industry and to gain wider insights into best practice. The core modules were an exact fit for my needs, and I was particularly interested in HR Analytics, Digital Learning Design and Contemporary Issues in Strategic L&D. The blended delivery meant that I could fit the programme in around my own business. 👉 I was attracted to the programme to develop my strategic knowledge of L&D, gain updates on trends and developments in the area of L&D and to learn from fellow practitioners. The mix of topics was very attractive, and amongst other areas I wanted to deepen my expertise in the areas of Strategy, Leadership & Change, Digital Learning and Data Analytics. Living in Galway, the fact that the programme is blended made it very accessible to me. I believed this delivery method would offer the benefits of virtual learning, and also enable the deeper connections made possible by face-to-face interactions. The partnership of DCU and L&DI was another attraction, given the strong reputation of both parties. Further info on entry criteria and L&D Skillnet funding (available to eligible applicants): https://bit.ly/4fI96fW Dublin City University DCU Business School #learning #development #masters #strategy #jobfairy

The digital skills gap among educators is a recurring issue. Kerry Boffey, CEO of the Fellowship of Inspection Nominees, has proposed new workforce development initiatives for further education teachers and trainers, including improving digital skills and responding to post-pandemic learning styles, to help upskill the workforce. What initiatives would you suggest? https://bit.ly/3JXoab0 #ReedFurtherEducation #furthereducation #skillsgap #upskilling #FE

In the expanding realm of professional learning, the demand for certifications, continuing education, and micro-credentials is soaring. Yet, many remain tethered to traditional educational methods, missing out on significant opportunities for revenue generation and learner engagement In this blog, we share the Lifelong Learning Strategy Framework and shed light on how organizations can utilize it to tap into the burgeoning professional education market ➡️ https://hubs.ly/Q02DCk1l0 #LMS #lifelonglearning #digitallearning

We are excited to inform our followers of the release of the new Global Quality Work-Integrated Learning Framework from WACE - the World Association for Cooperative Education. This is a move that focuses on equity of quality work-integrated learning (#WIL) provision and a framework that can help countries, institutions and programmes where no current framework exists. WILNZ (including, specifically, president Karsten Zegwaard) is referenced in the framework and we are delighted to have made a contribution to this highly useful resource. Release from wace: world association for co-operative education: "The first ever Global Quality Work-Integrated learning Framework has been released by WACE1, the international work- integrated learning (WIL) association. This framework provides guidance to tertiary institutions, industry and community partner organisations and students on quality WIL. Developed in collaboration with WACE’s international network of national associations and communities it is uniquely global in nature. The framework will prove especially useful in regions where no national quality WIL framework or guide exists Judie Kay, Vice Chair Programmes & Partnerships (WACE) states: "This framework has been developed, very deliberately, to be inclusive of the diverse WIL models being implemented globally and to accommodate a broad range of contexts and legislative environments. " ... Ensuring quality WIL experiences for all stakeholders has never been more important. As WIL expands globally to enhance student learning and prepare graduates for increasingly dynamic work contexts, the need to ensure the quality of WIL has intensified. Quality experiences maximise WIL outcomes and is in the best interest of students, industry, and community partners as well as tertiary institutions. The WACE Global Quality Work-Integrated learning Framework provides the guidance to improve outcomes for all stakeholders." Read more: https://lnkd.in/gj5PrQy9 #workintegratedlearning #stakeholderrelationships #cooperativeeducation #globalcommunity #qualityexperiences

There are a really interesting set of online courses on offer at Robert Gordon University (RGU) related to energy transition.

In the expanding realm of professional learning, the demand for certifications, continuing education, and micro-credentials is soaring. Yet, many remain tethered to traditional educational methods, missing out on significant opportunities for revenue generation and learner engagement In this blog, we share the Lifelong Learning Strategy Framework and shed a light on how organizations can utilize it to tap into the burgeoning professional education market ➡️ https://hubs.ly/Q02mWy7l0 #LMS #eLearning #lifelonglearning

Want to succeed in your career or branch out into a new one? A short, university-accredited micro-credential course is an easy way to upskill and make yourself more marketable to employers and recruiters. "The outdated vision of higher education being front-loaded after school has really shifted to a better understanding of the fact that many of us need to dip in and out of higher education throughout our lives, throughout our careers, to better enable us to adapt to our changing world and our changing workplaces.” - Nora Trench Bowles Recently Nora Trench Bowles (Head of Lifelong Learning, Skills & Quality at Irish Universities Association) and Fiona Gamble (MicroCreds Project Lead at Trinity College Dublin) spoke to The Irish Times about the importance of lifelong learning and how #microcredentials can help more people to engage with formal, accredited learning shortly and flexibly that fits around their current commitments. James Sullivan (Client Services Manager at Cpl’s Talent Evolution Group) also highlighted how #microcredentials can benefit both learners and enterprise. "Employers are aware of the importance of retaining and developing their talent. Utilising micro-credentials for upskilling purposes provides greater internal mobility opportunities, which in turn helps ensure employee retention within the company,” he explained. #DCUmicrocredentials #MicroCredsIE #microcredentials #lifelonglearning #upskill