Micro-credentials matter: Evaluating the role and value in professional careers through an Australasian lens

Kashmira Dave

Abstract

Focus

This showcase will present an Australasian survey analysing the impact and value of microcredentials on professionals' careers, aiming to improve their design, assess their effects, and provide insights from recent completers across industries.

Background/context

As per Federal Government, "Microcredentials are small courses in a specific area of study, with a focus on upskilling and reskilling in short timeframes, to meet the needs of employers.” Microcredentials offer universities new partnerships and revenue, appealing to employers for rapid, flexible upskilling. The sector faces challenges like inconsistent definitions and scarce design guidance (DESE, 2021), with limited research on their value to professionals. An international survey highlighted missing standards and quality concerns (Holon IQ, 2021). In Australia, unregulated microcredential landscape results in uneven adoption across universities (Selvaratnam & Sankey, 2021), causing hesitancy in investing in these qualifications.

Description

This study investigates the development, design, and learner value of microcredentials, focusing on the recent experiences of industry professionals amidst their broad discussion by governments and policymakers.

Method

A mixed-methods survey utilising snowball sampling was distributed in Australasia, with subsequent analysis involving descriptive statistics for quantitative data and thematic analysis for qualitative data.

Evidence

The survey findings reveal a widening gap between employer expectations and educational offerings in higher and professional education. Microcredentials from universities could bridge this gap, but this raises critical questions about value of traditional degrees and the effectiveness of microcredential programs.

Contribution

This research aims first to offer insights into learners' values in microcredentials, potentially guiding future design, and second, to contribute to the broader conversation on the role of microcredentials in professional and academic settings.

Original language	English
Publication status	Published - 31 Jul 2024
Event	HERDSA 2024: Together we innovate-Annual conference - Adelaide Convention Centre, North Terrace, Adelaide South Australia, Australia 5000, Adelaide, Australia Duration: 8 Jul 2024 → 11 Jul 2024

Other

Other	HERDSA 2024: Together we innovate-Annual conference
City	Adelaide, Australia
Period	8/07/24 → 11/07/24

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Cite this

@conference{36c315daffc946a983271d4202c80808,

title = "Micro-credentials matter: Evaluating the role and value in professional careers through an Australasian lens",

abstract = "Focus This showcase will present an Australasian survey analysing the impact and value of microcredentials on professionals' careers, aiming to improve their design, assess their effects, and provide insights from recent completers across industries. Background/context As per Federal Government, {"}Microcredentials are small courses in a specific area of study, with a focus on upskilling and reskilling in short timeframes, to meet the needs of employers.” Microcredentials offer universities new partnerships and revenue, appealing to employers for rapid, flexible upskilling. The sector faces challenges like inconsistent definitions and scarce design guidance (DESE, 2021), with limited research on their value to professionals. An international survey highlighted missing standards and quality concerns (Holon IQ, 2021). In Australia, unregulated microcredential landscape results in uneven adoption across universities (Selvaratnam \& Sankey, 2021), causing hesitancy in investing in these qualifications. Description This study investigates the development, design, and learner value of microcredentials, focusing on the recent experiences of industry professionals amidst their broad discussion by governments and policymakers. Method A mixed-methods survey utilising snowball sampling was distributed in Australasia, with subsequent analysis involving descriptive statistics for quantitative data and thematic analysis for qualitative data. Evidence The survey findings reveal a widening gap between employer expectations and educational offerings in higher and professional education. Microcredentials from universities could bridge this gap, but this raises critical questions about value of traditional degrees and the effectiveness of microcredential programs. Contribution This research aims first to offer insights into learners' values in microcredentials, potentially guiding future design, and second, to contribute to the broader conversation on the role of microcredentials in professional and academic settings.",

author = "Kashmira Dave",

year = "2024",

month = jul,

day = "31",

language = "English",

note = "HERDSA 2024: Together we innovate-Annual conference ; Conference date: 08-07-2024 Through 11-07-2024",

}

TY - CONF

T1 - Micro-credentials matter

T2 - HERDSA 2024: Together we innovate-Annual conference

AU - Dave, Kashmira

PY - 2024/7/31

Y1 - 2024/7/31

N2 - Focus This showcase will present an Australasian survey analysing the impact and value of microcredentials on professionals' careers, aiming to improve their design, assess their effects, and provide insights from recent completers across industries. Background/context As per Federal Government, "Microcredentials are small courses in a specific area of study, with a focus on upskilling and reskilling in short timeframes, to meet the needs of employers.” Microcredentials offer universities new partnerships and revenue, appealing to employers for rapid, flexible upskilling. The sector faces challenges like inconsistent definitions and scarce design guidance (DESE, 2021), with limited research on their value to professionals. An international survey highlighted missing standards and quality concerns (Holon IQ, 2021). In Australia, unregulated microcredential landscape results in uneven adoption across universities (Selvaratnam & Sankey, 2021), causing hesitancy in investing in these qualifications. Description This study investigates the development, design, and learner value of microcredentials, focusing on the recent experiences of industry professionals amidst their broad discussion by governments and policymakers. Method A mixed-methods survey utilising snowball sampling was distributed in Australasia, with subsequent analysis involving descriptive statistics for quantitative data and thematic analysis for qualitative data. Evidence The survey findings reveal a widening gap between employer expectations and educational offerings in higher and professional education. Microcredentials from universities could bridge this gap, but this raises critical questions about value of traditional degrees and the effectiveness of microcredential programs. Contribution This research aims first to offer insights into learners' values in microcredentials, potentially guiding future design, and second, to contribute to the broader conversation on the role of microcredentials in professional and academic settings.

AB - Focus This showcase will present an Australasian survey analysing the impact and value of microcredentials on professionals' careers, aiming to improve their design, assess their effects, and provide insights from recent completers across industries. Background/context As per Federal Government, "Microcredentials are small courses in a specific area of study, with a focus on upskilling and reskilling in short timeframes, to meet the needs of employers.” Microcredentials offer universities new partnerships and revenue, appealing to employers for rapid, flexible upskilling. The sector faces challenges like inconsistent definitions and scarce design guidance (DESE, 2021), with limited research on their value to professionals. An international survey highlighted missing standards and quality concerns (Holon IQ, 2021). In Australia, unregulated microcredential landscape results in uneven adoption across universities (Selvaratnam & Sankey, 2021), causing hesitancy in investing in these qualifications. Description This study investigates the development, design, and learner value of microcredentials, focusing on the recent experiences of industry professionals amidst their broad discussion by governments and policymakers. Method A mixed-methods survey utilising snowball sampling was distributed in Australasia, with subsequent analysis involving descriptive statistics for quantitative data and thematic analysis for qualitative data. Evidence The survey findings reveal a widening gap between employer expectations and educational offerings in higher and professional education. Microcredentials from universities could bridge this gap, but this raises critical questions about value of traditional degrees and the effectiveness of microcredential programs. Contribution This research aims first to offer insights into learners' values in microcredentials, potentially guiding future design, and second, to contribute to the broader conversation on the role of microcredentials in professional and academic settings.

UR - https://conference.herdsa.org.au/2024/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/05-HERDSA-2024-Conference-Program.pdf

M3 - Abstract

Y2 - 8 July 2024 through 11 July 2024