A new article published by EvoLLLution and authored by Workcred’s Isabel Cardenas-Navia, associate executive director of research, sheds light on the benefits of microcredentials and why clarity and transparency are essential for these types of credentials to have value.
Microcredentials must be earned: individuals must pass an assessment or a series of assessments to earn a microcredential, and these credentials are typically issued by training providers, professional associations, or certification bodies. They have benefits for both credential issuers and the workforce. Credential issuers are using microcredentials to meet their goals and respond to learner motivations. For the workforce, microcredentials can help talent gain and validate the skills needed to evolve and reflect their value to industry.
Despite these benefits, three in ten adults do not know what a microcredential is, as highlighted in the article.
Cardenas-Navia writes: “Workcred believes that issuers are purposely seeking broad definitions for microcredentials because these credentials are meeting three critical goals for the issuers:
1. Microcredentials can be developed more quickly than other credentials.
2. Microcredentials offer significantly more flexibility than other credentials.
3. Microcredentials are a potential new source of revenue for issuers.”
The article focuses on the first two goals, exploring how microcredentials are becoming the vehicle for organizations to develop and issue credentials that meet the speed of business, and why multiple meanings and purposes of microcredentials can reduce their labor market value.
Read the EvoLLLution article, “Microcredentials: Credentials at the Speed of Business.”
About Workcred
Founded in 2014, Workcred is a non-profit affiliate of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) that focuses on strengthening workforce quality by improving the credentialing system, ensuring its ongoing relevance, and helping employers, workers, educators, and governments better understand the value of certification.
