Even prior to the [Coronavirus Disease 2019] COVID-19 pandemic, technological changes, globalization and demographic shifts were disrupting the labour force at an unprecedented pace, creating a need for a more effective lifelong learning system. Postsecondary institutions and governments are responding by experimenting with training programs geared to adult learners. These programs include microcredentials which have emerged in recent years as a complement to traditional credentials. These shorter learning programs offer targeted opportunities to upgrade skills and transition or advance in the
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Even prior to the [Coronavirus Disease 2019] COVID-19 pandemic, technological changes, globalization and demographic shifts were disrupting the labour force at an unprecedented pace, creating a need for a more effective lifelong learning system. Postsecondary institutions and governments are responding by experimenting with training programs geared to adult learners. These programs include microcredentials which have emerged in recent years as a complement to traditional credentials. These shorter learning programs offer targeted opportunities to upgrade skills and transition or advance in the workforce. The Ontario government's 2020 budget announced nearly $60 million for a microcredential strategy, including new programs, an online portal and a public awareness campaign. As is often the case with innovation, the microcredential work in Canada is happening quickly and without much precedent or evidence. It is also happening without a consistent interpretation of what the word 'microcredential' means. The Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario (HEQCO) set out to inform the strategic development of microcredentials in Ontario and other Canadian provinces. Specifically, HEQCO sought to: (1) develop a common definition for advancing innovation and effective communication about microcredentials; and (2) offer insight into the perceived and potential value of microcredentials by engaging end users (employers and prospective students) and postsecondary institutions across Canada.
Working with the Business + Higher Education Roundtable (BHER), Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICAN) and Abacus Data, HEQCO surveyed 201 employers, 2,000 working-age Canadians and 161 representatives from 105 postsecondary institutions across the country on their experiences, awareness and perception of microcredentials. Researchers conducted followup interviews with employers and postsecondary leaders. These surveys and interviews revealed that many are unaware of microcredentials and among those who are aware there remains a great deal of confusion about what they are and who they serve. HEQCO developed a practical and concise definition for microcredentials that is informed by international examples and discussions with sector experts. This simple definition is flexible and inclusive, while focusing on the essential elements of being narrow in scope and short in duration. The definition is as follows: A microcredential is a representation of learning, awarded for completion of a short program that is focused on a discrete set of competencies (i.e., skills, knowledge, attributes), and is sometimes related to other credentials.
Edited excerpts from publication and publisher's website.
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