Monday, March 18, 2024
Microcredentials are flexible, bite-sized learning opportunities typically delivered online for fast, focused upskilling. Learn more about what a microcredential is.
How People Use Microcredentials
People have found microcredentials helpful for many reasons. Many are using them to reach career goals, while others are using them to meet personal goals.
Career Advancement
These learners are interested in growing their skills and knowledge to advance their careers and improve their income. While career advancement is a goal many professionals have, it can be difficult to determine how to advance your career. Microcredentials offer an easy way to earn credentials as individual badges or series badges that learners can share with employers and display on social media such as LinkedIn. Because microcredentials offer flexible part-time learning opportunities, they are a good option for someone who is already working full-time but wants to earn credentials to achieve their career advancement goals.
What I liked best about the delivery is that I can take them at my own pace. Work life is busy and home life is busy so it was really nice to work on them at my pace over the time they were being delivered.
Career Changing
Interested in making a career switch? You might fall under this category. These learners may already have an established set of skills but are looking to build on these with additional knowledge to transition to a different career where they can earn more or do something new. Microcredentials allow learners to take one badge at a time but several badges can also be stacked to earn a series badge that will demonstrate a wider breadth of knowledge in a subject. Microcredentials work well for career changers because of their flexible nature and lower cost. Learners can balance their current career and personal life while also taking microcredentials to reach their goal of changing careers. Plus, most microcredentials are eligible for OSAP!
I think the microcredentials that I chose to pursue are going to help me further my career because they have filled the minor gaps in my knowledge and skill set that I think were missing in my resume.
Early Career Upgrading
For those who are still in the early phases of their career, but are interested in improving their income and building skills in their current career, microcredentials can help. Those who are early on in their careers will have a good idea of paths they can take to land the roles that interest them. Microcredentials can help these learners upskill and gain the knowledge and credentials needed to pursue their career-upgrading goals.
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Lifelong Learning
Lifelong Learners are interested in keeping their minds sharp and their knowledge current. They typically use microcredentials to reach personal goals rather than professional ones and as an opportunity to meet others who share similar interests. Microcredentials make great opportunities for this type of learner because they are bite-sized learning opportunities that can be taken as interests arise. These learners can pursue multiple microcredentials in similar topics and switch to something new as the desire arises. Microcredentials allow this type of learner to pursue their personal goals when they have time and interest without a large upfront investment.
There are many ways in which microcredentials can help you reach your professional and personal learning goals. To read more about the benefits of microcredentials, check out the top 6 reasons to take a microcredential.