Reflections

Thoughts and key takeaways surrounding the implementation and use of microcredentials in the workforce

Microcredentials are a key to the future of learning and working. As the workforce becomes increasingly difficult to enter, and education shifts toward a heavy use of technology in the format of online learning, microcredentials, which prepare learners for careers and are offered to individuals at all stages of life and are often delivered online, are being an integral piece.
Microcredentials very clearly act as a complement to previously earned education, such as college diplomas or university degrees.
Microcredentials can assist in representing competencies within a particular company or field.
Microcredentials can be seen as filling skill gaps in learners and employers.
Implementation of microcredentials can be challenged by common barriers that new developments experience, such as a competitive market entrance and low buy-in rates.

Tomorrow’s labour market is intensely competitive, and degrees are not enough to secure a job (Ahmed & Jassim, 2021)

Implementing a micro-credential course provides opportunities to foster life and employability skills (Ahmed & Jassim, 2021)

These various forms of non-formal learning have enabled learners – working or not, and across the lifespan – to stay engaged with intellectual challenges, and to remain current in their working lives (Oliver, 2019)

Next steps to make micro-credentials work – or work better – by building trust, adding value and achieving sustainability (Oliver, 2019)

Microcredentials with Beverley OliverListen to this episode from KPMG Talking Tertiary on Spotify. KPMG’s Talking Tertiary is back with a second season in which we will be talking to 'The Disruptors' – the people leading change in the new market entrants and within the traditional institutions. In the first episode of Season 2 Professor Stephen Parker AO talks with Beverley Oliver, Former Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Deakin University. Beverley is a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and an Australian National Teaching Fellow. She works as a higher education consultant and researcher particularly in areas such as digital education, micro-credentials, curriculum transformation, quality assurance and graduate employability. She is the founder and editor of the Journal of Teaching and Learning for Graduate Employability. Prior to this Beverley was Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education at Deakin University (2013-2018), Deputy Chair of Universities Australia’s Deputy Vice-Chancellors (Academic) (2018) and Deputy Chair of the Board of EduGrowth, a not-for-profit entity and Australia’s acceleration network for high-growth, scaleable, borderless education (2016-18). In this episode Stephen and Beverley discuss the disruptive power of micro credentials and how they link in with the technologies and learning approaches that have the potential to change the landscape of the Education sector. They also touch on the importance of more certified learning in both formal and informal settings to ensure that the future workforce can upskill and reskill to meet the demands of the changing nature of work. To read Beverley’s full report on ‘Making micro-credentials work for learners, employers and providers’ head to https://dteach.deakin.edu.au/2019/08/02/microcredentials/ Visit: KPMG.com/au/talkingtertiary or email us at talkingtertiary@kpmg.com.au

Want to learn more? See a podcast featuring Beverley Oliver discussing microcredentials as a disrupter in education.

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