Micro Credentials Part 4 - What Does the Future Hold for Micro Credentials?

 Recap and conclusion of the investigation into micro credentials

The 21st Century has brought fundamental changes to work, life and family and with these changes comes the need for new educational models. There are many innovations in learning and micro credentials, and their associated badges, are just one of them.

This series of blogs has explored what micro credentials are and how they have and can be utilised by learners, employers and educational institutions. On the surface they offer a compact and efficient way for learners to upskill and advance in their careers, it allows employers to ensure that their workers skills remain relevant and aids in implementing lifelong learning strategies to keep employees engaged and fulfilled. For educational institutes it offers a way for students to easily attain certifications by attaining small chunks at a time.

In a time poor world micro credentials appear to offer the solution to these issues but they do not come without their challenges. How are micro credentials going to be standardised and recognised between different institutions and employers? This is essential to aid in the portability of a credential and allow a learner to prove certification and competency in skills learnt. Some solutions shown in this investigation are the clarification statements offered by Professor Beverley Oliver, or the huge digital learning platforms being offered by Percipio and LinkedIn Learning.

If standardisation and certification can be agreed upon and consistent then the impact that micro credentials will have not only on the workforce but learning institutions will be positive. It  will allow people and businesses to upskill and reskill in a time where the need to learn new skills quickly is becoming an imperative requirement.