MICROCREDENTIALS IN COLLEGE POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION: WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT

Micro-credentials differ from traditional diplomas and degrees in that they are generally offered in shorter or more flexible timespans and tend to be more narrowly focused. In Ontario, their adoption has gained momentum as a result of the Ontario Government's initiatives focusing on helping people retrain and upgrade their skills to find new employment. Although no standard definition currently exists, it is generally accepted that micro-credentials are competency and skill-based, demonstrate a skill, experience, or knowledge in a particular subject and are developed in partnership with industry. The benefits of micro-credentials include customized, flexible learning tailored to meet an individual's needs, the opportunity for non-traditional learners to sample a piece of a program before committing. These microcredentials may provide portable, stackable, and shareable currency. Students may ultimately broker their education through digital badges and afford employers the ability to view, evaluate, verify, and compare the skills/competencies achieved.