Latest news with #microcredentials
Forbes
16-06-2025
- Forbes
Are Micro-Credentials Democratizing K-12 Credentialing?
Students with a mentor learning how to protype a device as they prepare for a micro-credential ... More assessment. A quiet shift is underway in K-12 education that is democratizing the types of credentials awarded to students and educators. Increasingly, K-12 is using micro-credentials to verify and document what students and educators know and can do when assessed on particular learning outcomes. The effect is potentially profound. Journalist Sara Weissman says that young people's use of micro-credentials is creating 'The micro-credential generation, a fast-growing number of traditionally college-age students [who] are bypassing degrees to pursue cheaper and faster alternative credentials.' What follows examines the emerging use of micro-credentials in K-12 student learning and teacher professional development, the challenges involved in implementing this approach, and the lessons learned along the way. Micro-credentials are certifications awarded to learners who successfully complete discrete learning experiences focused on acquiring specific knowledge or skills. 'They show what people know and can do,' writes Theresa Gaffney of the Competency-Based Education Network. They are typically awarded for learning that occurs through work, simulations, classroom instruction, or a combination of these and other learning formats. A variety of providers grant micro-credentials, including school districts, professional associations, companies, and higher education institutions. Micro-credentials can be awarded in various forms, including digital badges, licenses, boot camp certificates, and more. They can be stand-alone credentials or be 'stacked' sequentially to signal increasing learner expertise. This stacking allows micro-credentials to be integrated into traditional degree programs. An international skills survey by the global online learning platform Coursera reports that 91% of employers believe that employees with micro-credentials demonstrate higher proficiency in workplace core competencies. Students agree, with 94% reporting that micro-credentials fast-track career development, and almost nine out of ten say they enhance workplace competitiveness. Finally, 94% of higher education leaders report that micro-credentials improve the long-term career outcomes of their graduates. In another survey, Coursera found that 51% of higher education leaders report that their institutions now offer micro-credentials. Of those, more than half also award academic credit for them. According to the nonprofit Credential Engine, more than 1,600 formal micro-credentials were available in 2022 through Massive Open Online Courses or MOOCs, nearly double the number from the previous year. Advance CTE's state policy tracker identifies 34 states that have passed 92 state laws since 2020 focused on industry-recognized credentials, including micro-credentials. It also identifies the focus on industry-recognized credentials as one of the top five state policy trends for 2024. A report from HCM Strategies identifies 70 initiatives in 32 states and estimates that these states invested at least $5.6 billion in short-term micro-credential-like programs. The two most common uses for this money were direct financial aid to students or financial aid to institutions for student support and tuition assistance. This significant interest in micro-credentials has migrated to K-12 education. FutureEd Senior Fellow Anne Kim's report Skill Building describes three forces that are driving demand for K-12 student micro-credentials: the expansion of career and technical education or CTE, the rise of the 'mastery' education movement, and growing attention to career readiness and 'soft skills.' A fourth factor—the growing use of micro-credentials for teacher professional development—completes the picture for K-12 education. For students, micro-credentials offer an opportunity to pursue personalized learning experiences aligned with their interests and career goals. Rather than relying on the Carnegie unit's definition of seat-time or traditional transcripts, micro-credentials focus on demonstrated competencies—knowledge and skills that employers and colleges increasingly value. This shift to micro-credentials also supports differentiated instruction, allowing students to progress at their own pace. This enables them to build a record of accomplishment that can follow them from high school into the workforce or higher education. In CTE pathways, for instance, students can earn industry-aligned credentials that carry weight beyond the K-12 school walls. Educators, too, are benefiting. Traditional professional development often involves one-size-fits-all workshops with little connection to daily practice. In contrast, micro-credentials break down complex teaching skills into segments. Micro-credentials allow teachers to pursue targeted, practice-based learning tailored to their own classroom needs. The National Education Association now offers members over 175 micro-credentials that are 'designed by educators for educators.' An American Institutes for Research report documents what early adopter states are learning about the use of micro-credentials for teachers. Two critical lessons include the importance of integrating them into a larger professional learning strategy and viewing them as part of a continuum of educator career development strategies. Micro-credentials are more than just a resume booster for educators. They have the potential to 'empower educators, enhance district capacity, and improve student outcomes,' writes Abdulla Pathan of LearningMate. Despite their promise, integrating micro-credentials into the K–12 system has its challenges. Here are three of them. 1. Ensuring Quality: The biggest concern is variation in quality. Without clear, consistent standards to judge mastery, the value of a micro-credential can differ from one provider or platform to another. To gain credibility, those who award micro-credentials should adopt rigorous assessment practices that ensure credentials reflect real, validated skills. Jobs for the Future has a project underway to create job-earning and outcomes standards for non-degree credential programs. The Burning Glass Institute has a project underway on the quality of non-degree credentials that includes a partnership with the American Enterprise Institute. That project calls for for an outcomes-based approach to credential funding and includes a website with information on the financial return of different non-degree credentials. 2. System Integration: Micro-credentials must align with broader educational frameworks, including curriculum standards, accountability systems, and student and educator records management systems. That integration is no small feat. Success requires coordination among teachers, administrators, district leaders, employers, and policymakers to ensure micro-credentials enhance rather than disrupt existing systems. 3. Access: Micro-credentials risk widening opportunity gaps if access is uneven. Students in under-resourced schools may lack the technology, support, or guidance needed to pursue them. Educators may not receive the necessary training to embed them in instruction effectively. Ensuring access is crucial if micro-credentials are to serve as tools of empowerment rather than stratification. As schools and educators use micro-credentials, several key lessons are emerging. Here are four of them. 1. Personalization drives engagement: When tailored to individual student or teacher needs, micro-credentials can increase relevance and motivation. 2. Standards safeguard credibility: Clear learning standards linked to industry-recognized credentials are necessary to ensure micro-credentials carry weight beyond the issuing institution. 3. Collaboration enables integration: Bringing together stakeholders from across the education and training system is critical to embedding micro-credentials into the core practices of these often disconnected systems. 4. Access requires design: Access must be an integral part of the design and rollout of micro-credentials, including the recruitment of young people from diverse backgrounds. Matt Sigelman, president of the Burning Glass Institute, says that skills are the genome of the labor market: they define jobs, explain the distance between talent and opportunity, and contribute to the dynamism of the labor market. The rise of micro-credentials aligns with this skills-first strategy. The micro-credentials approach values demonstrated ability in addition to traditional proxies, such as diplomas or grade-point averages. By capturing and recognizing discrete, real-world competencies, micro-credentials open up new avenues for students to succeed and new ways for teachers to develop professionally in K-12 education. Yet for this movement to achieve its potential, attention must be paid to the quality, integration, and accessibility of the credentials themselves. If done right, micro-credentials can democratize K-12 credentialing for students and educators in ways that traditional assessment and evaluation systems never could. Creating a genuine and accessible micro-credential generation will bring us closer to an education and training system where opportunity is built not on a person's background, but on what one knows and can do.
Forbes
25-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
5 Free Courses And Certificates That Give Teens Real Resume Advantages
Prove your skills by displaying your microcredentials and certificates on your resume The college application process has never been more competitive. With test-optional policies at many universities, admissions officers scrutinize extracurriculars, essays, and proven initiative more than ever. Teen applicants need ways to stand out beyond GPA and standardized test scores. Some teenagers are considering professional certifications and skill-building courses to differentiate themselves and build their resumes. These credentials signal initiative, career readiness, and practical abilities that traditional transcripts can't capture. Many high-impact courses are entirely free and designed for busy high school schedules. Traditional education teaches academic subjects but often misses career-ready skills like digital marketing, coding fundamentals, and professional communication that look great on a resume. A 2024 National Association of Colleges and Employers survey found that 89% of employers prioritize candidates with demonstrated technical skills alongside academic credentials. These certificates provide credibility for teen entrepreneurs, especially when launching businesses or pitching ideas to potential mentors and investors. Here are five free courses that build real-world capabilities while providing credentials and skills worth adding to college applications and resumes. Provider: GoogleTime Investment: 40 hours, self-pacedCertificate: Industry-recognized Google certification This comprehensive course covers search engine optimization, social media marketing, email campaigns, and analytics. Students learn through interactive modules, real-world case studies, and hands-on exercises using actual marketing tools. The curriculum addresses skills immediately applicable to any business or personal project. Teens running social media accounts, promoting school events, or launching small ventures can immediately implement these strategies. Google's brand recognition makes this certificate particularly valuable. The course also provides a foundation for more advanced marketing certifications later in college or career development. Provider: Harvard University via edXTime Investment: 11 weeks (10-20 hours weekly)Certificate: Optional paid certificate, but completion alone is impressive This CS50x course teaches computational thinking through C, Python, SQL, and JavaScript programming languages. Students complete weekly problem sets, labs, and a final project demonstrating their skills. This course stands out for its rigor and reputation. The problem-solving approach translates to any field requiring analytical thinking. Even without purchasing the certificate, listing "Harvard CS50x (Completed)" on applications or your resume demonstrates intellectual curiosity and persistence. Teens can use their final projects as talking points in college interviews or internship applications. Provider: IBM SkillsBuildTime Investment: 12 hoursCertificate: Digital badge and completion certificate Artificial intelligence impacts every industry, yet most high school curricula don't address it. IBM's course introduces machine learning concepts, AI applications in healthcare and business, and ethical considerations around automated systems. The short time commitment makes this accessible for busy students. Students gain conversational knowledge about AI trends, helping them engage in informed discussions about technology's role in their intended field of study. The digital badge system allows students to showcase specific competencies on LinkedIn profiles, digital portfolios, and resumes, which is increasingly essential for college-bound students building their online presence. Provider: UPennTime Investment: 5 weeks, self-pacedCertificate: Fee for certified certificate (free audit option available) This English for Career Development course is designed for non-native English speakers. Professional communication skills often determine career success, yet many students enter college without knowing how to write effective cover letters, craft compelling personal statements, or interview confidently. This course addresses those gaps through practical exercises. Students write actual resumes, practice interview responses, and learn networking strategies. The content applies immediately to college applications, scholarship essays, and summer job searches. The University of Pennsylvania brand adds prestige, while the practical nature of assignments creates tangible outputs that students can use on their resume and in their college application process. Provider: MITTime Investment: 6 months (starting in June)Certificate: Yes – program completion and participation One of the most prestigious STEM programs for junior high school students, MITES Semester is a two-phase experience. The first half includes challenging online courses and hands-on STEM projects in astrophysics, computational biology, and robotics. The second phase focuses on college preparation, offering mock interviews, essay reviews, and one-on-one mentoring. The experience culminates in an in-person conference at MIT, where you'll attend a college fair, meet STEM professionals, and present your work. It's highly competitive—but completely free—and a game-changing addition to any college-bound teen's resume. Simply completing courses won't guarantee admission or employment success. Students should connect their new skills to real applications whenever possible. Create social media campaigns for school clubs using Google's marketing principles. Build a simple website using CS50x programming concepts. Write professional emails to potential internship supervisors using UPenn's communication strategies. Keep track of what you accomplish along the way. Take screenshots when you finish modules, save copies of final projects, and build a simple spreadsheet or doc listing each course, when you completed it, and what you got out of it. Set up a folder—on your computer or in the cloud—for storing certificates, project files, and quick reflections. Don't wait until senior year to try to remember everything. When it's time to create your resume, write essays, or prep for interviews, these notes will jog your memory and help you speak clearly about what you've done. The challenges you worked through and the skills you picked up can become powerful, specific stories that set you apart. The best way to make these certificates stand out is by connecting them to your real interests. If you care about the environment, you might use what you learn in a digital marketing course to design a campaign promoting your school's recycling program. That kind of follow-through shows not just that you took a course, but that you applied it with purpose. College admissions officers consistently report valuing students who show initiative beyond required coursework. These free certifications signal precisely that quality—a teenager willing to invest personal time in skill development without external requirements or grade incentives. The key is starting now rather than waiting for someday. Each completed course builds your resume, momentum, and confidence while adding concrete credentials to your growing professional profile. In an increasingly competitive academic environment, these small advantages can make meaningful differences in college admissions and early career opportunities.
Forbes
16-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
How Micro-Credentials Can Boost Your Starting Salary By Up To 15%
Micro-credentials can boost your starting salary by 15% or more. In a job market where employers increasingly value specialized skills, micro-credentials have emerged as powerful salary boosters. New research reveals that 90% of employers offer higher starting salaries, up to 15% more, for candidates with these targeted certifications. Coursera's 2025 Micro-Credentials Impact Report confirms these financial benefits: 28% of entry-level workers with micro-credentials received raises, while 21% earned promotions after certification. "Employer demand for skills-based hiring requires educators to prioritize skills-based learning," explains Francesca Lockhart of the University of Texas at Austin, highlighting the growing gap between traditional education and rapidly shifting job qualifications. But what exactly makes these micro-credentials so valuable to employers, and which ones deliver the highest returns on your investment of time and money? The willingness to pay premium salaries for candidates with micro-credentials stems from several key factors: Beyond salary benefits, micro-credentials significantly improve your hiring prospects. The Coursera report found that 96% of employers agree that micro-credentials strengthen a candidate's job application, and 85% are more likely to hire a candidate with a micro-credential than one without. This hiring advantage is reflected in actual employment practices, with 87% of employers reporting they hired at least one candidate with a micro-credential in the past year. For job seekers, this represents a clear competitive edge in a crowded job market. While micro-credentials generally boost earning potential, specific certifications deliver impressive returns. Research from the tech industry provides insights into which certifications might offer the highest salary premiums: Not all micro-credentials deliver equal value. The Coursera report highlights a critical distinction between credit-bearing and non-credit credentials, with employers consistently offering higher premiums for credit-bearing options. This preference also extends to educational institutions. Higher education leaders report that students are more than twice as likely to enroll in programs that offer micro-credentials, with even higher interest when those credentials are credit-bearing. When selecting micro-credentials, prioritize those that provide academic credit whenever possible. They command higher salary premiums and offer more flexibility for further learning opportunities. To capture the full salary potential of micro-credentials, consider these approaches: The value of micro-credentials is poised to increase further. As 94% of students report that micro-credentials fast-track skill development, and educational institutions increasingly embed these credentials into degree programs, their recognition and value in the job market will likely continue to grow. For professionals at any career stage, micro-credentials offer a path to salary advancement. By selecting credentials aligned with employer needs and industry trends, you position yourself to command premium compensation in an increasingly skills-focused job market.
