Micro-what? How Skill Badges and Mini-Degrees are Unbounding Education
Microcredentials. Nano-degrees. Skills badges. These pint-sized proof of achievements are popping up all over resumes and LinkedIn profiles. What are they, and what benefit do they have for job seekers? Potential employers? And even higher education?
Microcredentials are certifications that provide proof of completion for specific educational training, topic-based courses, or small series of learning outcomes. They result from competency-based learning exercises focused on a small range of skills. Some microcredentials can be one-off courses that certify one particular skill, while others are modular and can be stacked together to complete more in-depth qualifications.
Microcredientials are industry-recognized and even created by leaders in the corporate sector to enhance training for their employees or expand access to high-paying, in-demand jobs to millions of potential employees—with little to no experience required. Currently, one can find at least 1500 online micro-credentials, 75% of which cover topics related to business and technology. These courses cost between $25 to $150 and can take students anywhere from 3-30 hours to complete.
Small Degrees, Big Impact
As the cost of higher education rises, people are looking for alternative ways to spruce up their skillsets or even change careers without committing to the price of a full-fledged degree. At the same time, employers’ rising concerns about graduate skills, competencies and frustrations surrounding the job market have created the perfect opportunity for businesses, universities, and large corporations to develop their easy-access educational content. Universities like the University of California Irvine, MIT, and the SUNY system have adopted online certification programs. Others have partnered with online platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and edX to expand course offerings to the masses.
Changing careers is a big hurdle, and when it comes time to revamp a resume, especially for a new industry, it’s hard to know how to stand out. Micro-credentials make it possible to enhance qualifications and add to a resume quickly. In less time than it would take to complete a 16-week college course, job seekers can gain inside industry knowledge and experience in fields in which they have no prior experience. In addition to learning the ropes, these courses will often include assignments that help students put together comprehensive projects and portfolios that can be used during the interview process. Some instructors will even assist their students with resume prep and mock interviews and support them as they search for a new job.
Opportunity for All
For employers, micro-credentialing expands the pool of qualified candidates and allows companies to introduce fresh perspectives and ideas through talent with more varied experience. While it may seem that a small badge on your resume is not all that convincing, recruiters are often looking for evidence of desirable soft skills, which can either be verified through soft skill-related badges or assumed from other related micro-credentials. In fact, 71% of employers claim they have considered an applicant based on listed qualifications earned through micro-credentialing.
“Skills are often gained from experience, but candidates can stand out by including formal training or certification. [Microcredentials] show the candidate has the discipline to back up their raw skills with [self-directed] learning.”
Many employers are also using skills badges internally to train and promote staff from within. Internal courses help them fill skill gaps and retain and promote talent that otherwise would not have had the skills needed to advance up the ladder. Skill badges also make it easier for companies to create and scale development training programs, which HR departments can track and measure.
Nothing Wrong with Upskilling
Even when it may seem that micro-credentialing programs compete with their target market, one could say that universities have the most to gain from offering certificate programs.
Nano-degrees help universities expand their portfolio, spearhead new programs and classes, and reach a broader set of potential new students by allowing them to test-drive coursework. Expanding into the world of online education provides students from across the globe with affordable, accessible educational options that diversify student bodies and cater to those that prefer more self-directed learning.
These benefits aren’t just limited to students on the web, as micro-credentialing can also encourage those enrolled at home campuses. Today’s students are always looking to graduate as quickly as possible while squeezing the most out of their degree programs. The more credentials a student can earn while in school, the more confident they feel when entering the workforce. Microcredentials can also help students reinforce their understanding of subjects they struggle with, leading to better results in their actual college courses and even help those at risk of failing. Offering certifications or nano-degrees alongside other degree programs allow students to reach their imagined potential while assisting colleges in producing a more competitive workforce equipped with a more expansive set of skills.
The future of work is ever-changing, and micro-credentials are here to ease the transition. “Microcredentials provide a flexible and effective pathway to employment, upskilling and reskilling, economic mobility and a thriving local economy.” Micro-credentials can be a small yet mighty solution for anyone looking to expand their repertoire or verify skill-based qualifications.