Can Micro-credentials bridge the gap between industry and education?

Skillnet Ireland (2021), defined micro-credentials as “smaller units of assessed learning recognised by higher education institutions and other trusted credential-bearing agencies or professional bodies.” Additionally, they are certifications that validate an individual's skills, knowledge, and experience in a specific area or skill set. They are smaller in scope than traditional degree programs and often focus on a particular skill or competency, for example, project management, data analysis, or digital marketing. Still an emerging area, micro-credentials offer many benefits such as short lead-in times to certification, flexibility in learning, and skill provision in new and expanding areas.

According to a report from the World Economic Forum, a key benefit of micro-credentials is that learners can use them to “stack” new modules and skills on top of previous education and training. Additionally, they can be more affordable and flexible than traditional higher education courses.

Further benefits include the ability to learn new skills quickly and flexibly, to focus on specific areas of interest, and to demonstrate proficiency in a particular field or skill set to potential employers or clients. As micro-credentials are stackable, individuals can earn multiple credentials over time to build a comprehensive set of skills and knowledge.

But, while micro-credentials offer many distinct advantages, there are also some challenges including:

·   Quality control: Since micro-credentials are not subject to the same level of scrutiny as degree programs, there can be a variation in quality between different providers. This can lead to issues with consistency, credibility, and reliability.

·   Standardisation: There is no standardised system for micro-credentials, which can make it difficult for employers to evaluate the value of different credentials. This can create confusion about which micro-credentials are worth pursuing and which ones are not. 

·   Cost: While micro-credentials are generally less expensive than degree programs, they can still be costly, especially for those who are already paying for other educational expenses such as tuition or textbooks.

·   Recognition: Micro-credentials are still relatively new, so they may not be recognised by all employers or industries. This can limit their usefulness for individuals looking to advance their careers.

·  Learning outcomes: Since micro-credentials are often focused on specific skills or knowledge, they may not provide a well-rounded education that prepares individuals for a wide range of professional challenges. This can limit their usefulness in certain contexts.

 Yet, despite the potential challenges, overall, micro-credentials have the potential to be a valuable tool for career advancement and skill development. The only caveat is that they must be approached with a critical eye to ensure that they are worth the time and investment required to earn them.

The future

“In a world where most workers don’t hold a higher education degree, micro-credentials are critical to the future world of work”

-    World Economic Forum (2022)

Although in their infancy, the Abodoo team predicts that the following trends are likely to shape the future of micro-credentials:

·   More personalised learning: As technology continues to evolve, it will become easier to create customised learning experiences that are tailored to individual needs and preferences. This will allow individuals to earn micro-credentials that are specifically designed to meet their career goals and interests.

·   More stackable credentials: As more organisations begin to offer micro-credentials, it will become easier for individuals to stack them together to create a comprehensive set of skills and knowledge. This will allow individuals to create unique learning paths that meet their specific career goals.

·   More collaboration between employers and educators: As more employers recognise the value of micro-credentials, they will begin to collaborate more closely with educators to ensure that the skills and knowledge being taught align with their needs. This will help to create a more seamless transition from education to employment.

·   More standardised credentialing systems: As the number of micro-credentials grows, there will be a greater need for standardisation to ensure that they are recognised and valued by employers. This will require collaboration between educators, employers, and regulatory bodies to establish common standards for credentialing.

Overall, micro-credentials are likely to become an increasingly important tool for individuals looking to advance their careers and gain new skills. 

Bridging the Gap between Industry and Education

Micro-credentials can bridge the gap between education and industry by providing a flexible and efficient way for individuals to gain the skills and knowledge that employers are looking for. Abodoo have identified the following ways that micro-credentials can help to close the gap:

·   Relevant skills: Micro-credentials can be designed to focus on specific skills and knowledge that are in demand in particular industries. This means that individuals can gain the skills they need to be successful in their chosen career without having to spend time and money on a full degree program.

·   Industry partnerships: Many micro-credential programs are developed in collaboration with industry partners, which ensures that the skills being taught are directly relevant to the needs of employers. This can help to ensure that graduates of micro-credential programs are well-prepared to enter the workforce.

·   Flexibility: Micro-credentials are often delivered online and can be completed on a flexible schedule, which makes them accessible to individuals who are already working or who have other commitments. This can help to ensure that individuals can gain new skills without having to put their careers on hold.

·   Stackable credentials: Micro-credentials can be stacked together to create a comprehensive set of skills and knowledge that are directly relevant to a particular industry. This means that individuals can tailor their learning path to their specific career goals and interests.

In Conclusion

Micro-credentials offer a way for individuals to gain the skills and knowledge they need to be successful in their chosen careers, while also ensuring that those skills are directly relevant to the needs of employers. As more industries begin to recognise the value of micro-credentials, they are likely to become an increasingly important bridge between education and industry. Additionally, as the field continues to evolve, it will be important to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and developments to ensure that micro-credentials remain a valuable and effective means of learning and credentialing.

Abodoo’s Skills Passport has an integrated personalised learning solution. This provides an individual with recommended learning and development programmes, allowing them to upskill, reskill and position themselves for greater success in their chosen career.

By

Vanessa Tierney (CEO) & Fiona Whelan (Director of Education and Skills)

Who we are

Abodoo is a skills technology company transforming future learning and lives. 

What we do 

We provide governments and educational institutions, skills software and actionable insights that can bridge the digital divide, empower individual lifelong learning paths and ensure greater inclusivity for the future of work.

How we do this

We achieve this through mapping skills at a macro and micro level, recommending individual learning paths, providing access to unlimited educational providers, implementing an automated inclusive skills matching for marketplaces and giving actionable insights for future skills investment. All of our solutions can be integrated and provided in a white labelled capacity.

For more information: vanessa@abodoo.com

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