Micro-credentials: A quicker way to build your career-enabling skills

Credit to Author: Nicole Enright-Morin| Date: Tue, 01 Mar 2022 15:40:53 +0000

Looking to upskill and add some educational credentials to your resumé? Continue your learning with “bite-sized” courses

When it comes to upgrading education and job skills to get ahead in the Canadian labour market, “micro-credentials” may be a rapid-fire way to do it. But what does it mean? Simply put, micro-credentials are short-term, industry-recognized certifications that add on or complement more formal educational qualifications or hands-on work experience.

For skilled immigrants, they are also an easy way to supplement international education with a Canadian credential. It may even help you get back to work in your field or a related career, faster.

Good for business

Employers are increasingly recognizing these “bite-sized” certifications. According to a study from Boston’s Northeastern University, 65 per cent of employers see micro-credentials as a sign of a job seeker’s commitment to lifelong learning. This is a quality sought after by many Canadian employers, today.

From in-demand technical skills like cloud computing fundamentals to transferable soft skills like communication, problem-solving, emotional intelligence and creativity, micro-credentials help job seekers gain the skills necessary to take on new roles and succeed in today’s rapidly changing workplace.

“During the pandemic, it became apparent that employers needed employees with ready-to-work skills as they revamped their businesses, and micro-credentials like short-term courses and boot camps, have helped people upskill quickly,” says Joyce Wan, a client success coach with Windmill Microlending, a national not-for-profit organization focused on offering affordable loans to help skilled newcomers reach their career goals.

Upskilling with micro-credentials

Wan says one of the best things about micro-credentials is how they can benefit people at any stage of their career. This can mean developing new skills to remain competitive, to earn a promotion, find a new job or even to change careers.

“Micro-credentials are gaining popularity. As the nature of work changes and the education landscape evolves, people need the flexibility and mobility micro-credentials offer to learn new and in-demand skills,” Wan says.

They’re also pretty convenient to access. Many micro-credentials can be completed online, much quicker than academic programs like bachelor’s degrees or year-long certificates. Broadly speaking, micro-credentials can take anywhere between eight and 200 hours to complete. For professionals with jobs and families, this makes it easier to upskill while managing work and family demands, explains Wan.

For the Canadians who faced job loss at the start of the pandemic, Wan says that micro-credentials allowed many to reskill or upskill quickly in order to re-enter the labour market.

That was the case for Victor Vazquez, a skilled newcomer from Mexico who was laid off from his office role in Canada but found a new opportunity with the help of a micro-credential. While the job loss was a difficult experience, it made Victor realize he wanted a new direction for his career. After doing some research, Victor felt Canada’s in-demand cybersecurity industry could provide plentiful career opportunities. He found a virtual cybersecurity boot camp, and Windmill Microlending offered him a low-interest loan to help pay for the course fees.

Victor now has what he calls a “dream job,” in cybersecurity. “When I landed this job, I felt like my life was back on track,” he says.

Read more about Victor’s story here.

Finding your micro-credential

In the past couple of years, provincial governments like those in Ontario and Alberta have been investing millions in the development of micro-credential programs because they recognize the value of these rapid training programs.
As a result, there are more and more rapid upskilling opportunities available from both established educational institutions as well as emerging ones.

If you are serious about upgrading your skills, it is important to do your homework, especially, if you plan to invest money into a micro-credential program. The quality of programs can vary widely, so research institutions thoroughly and check their reputation. Look for highly regarded courses that have been recommended by employers in the fields where you want to work.

Beyond the institution, look carefully at the course content and resulting certifications. Some courses are offered on a no-credit basis, others include a “digital badge” of completion, and others count toward a diploma or certificate. Once again, do research to make sure your final outcome will help support your career goals.

“As micro-credentials are in their developing stages, learners and students need to select courses that meet educational quality standards and are recognized by employers,” says Wan. “They also need to ensure that the learning outcomes are adequately assessed and meet industry needs that will lead to employment.”

Cost is another factor to consider. There are free training programs available, says Wan, and these can come in handy if you’re experiencing financial pressure or are considering a complete career change like Victor did.

For example, if you want to change your career from finance to software development, Wan says it would be better to opt for a free training course, first, to see if the field is really for you. Once you are familiar with the topic, Wan says you can then consider taking a more in-depth fee-based course to get a valid badge that you can highlight to prospective employers.

Ultimately, the value of your micro-credential comes down to the employer. Do they see it as a skill or competency they need in their organization? It won’t matter how fast you get a badge or complete a micro-credential if it isn’t sought after by an employer.

What’s the takeaway for skilled newcomers thinking about whether a micro-credential is a good fit for them?

Be selective and choose wisely, and remember that most learning, even if just for your personal benefit, can be valuable and interesting, too.

The Immigrant Career Planning Guide presented by Windmill Microlending shares how newcomers can reach their full career potential by taking advantage of in-demand areas and employment opportunities across Canada. Whether you’re just starting your career, looking to move up, or retrain for a new field, growing opportunities await you. Now is the time to accelerate your career in Canada. Windmill’s Career Success and Planning Centre offers tools, tips and online digital resources to help skilled immigrants and refugees reach their professional goals, sooner. Visit windmillmicrolending.org to take the next step in your career, today.

The post Micro-credentials: A quicker way to build your career-enabling skills first appeared on Canadian Immigrant.
http://canadianimmigrant.ca/feed