Micro-credentials: Learning for Life

Micro-credentials/Short Certification Courses are integral to upskilling for staying relevant in any career stream. Whether it’s upskilling or reskilling, micro-credentials become an integral learning for life along with mainstream degree courses. Micro-credentials are secret weapons for tackling complex topics, broken down into small bite-sized, learner-driven segments.

They are crafted by field experts, regularly reviewed, and grounded in research and evidence-based best practices. For educators who are hard pressed for time, each micro-credential takes a few hours, enhancing their interests and creating new ones to help in professional development.

Educators study online, complete tasks, and upload the required evidence. It is just-in-time learning for educators. 

Influence of Technology

In recent years, with the evolution of technology, the certification process has been effectively digitized and processes have been written up as execution steps in a learning sequence that can be tracked digitally, gaining visibility and transparency in learning.

These courses, by design, are relatively open, and are structured to suit different types of learners, needs, topics, and modes of learning. 

Attributes Influencing Course Selection 

1.   Cost and funding/reimbursement: yes/low

2.   Format of instruction: online/blended

3.   Time commitment “ 1-15 hours

4.   Total number of hours: Part-time

5.   Provider Reputation: Excellent

6.   Certification impact 

Impact of Micro-Credentials 

It becomes essential for educators to consistently update themselves so that they can stay relevant, as many do not study further after completing their formal education. Micro-Credentials come with high growth potentials wherein skilled educators are provided with opportunities to train others in the courses that they used to upskill themselves.

Some knowledge seekers would like to build their resume and also participate in workshops and conferences in the research field. This helps educators grow their expertise and be a part of a higher knowledge community who work on research.

Implementation of Micro-Credentials 

55% of the Indian population is below the age of 28 years – a powerful workforce. The balance between youth and older age follows a pattern of alternating cycles. The introduction of the National Credit Framework by the Govt. of India has instilled skill and vocational education to ensure that youth are industry-ready. Every 30 hours of notional learning with an assessment and certification gives a student one credit. 

With this framework, educational institutions are mandated to have additional skill courses right from Pre-KG to Ph.D. 

The introduction of APAAR ID from the Govt. of India is a huge boon for the country and recognition of talent for the youth of India.

An Indian student can now be recognized even for the credentials gained from Pre KG onwards. Every main education course in India covers 1200 hours of classes which lead to 40 credits automatically. Beyond that, every 30 hours of a course of their choice earns them a credit.  APAAR IDs are to be a part of a student’s ID card from 2025-26 onwards. Internships of 30 hours can earn a credit too. 

Micro-credentials can be anything related to general studies or the interests of the candidate. 

The credit framework will also apply to teachers in the future for recognition and upscaling. This is a huge move to ensure teachers are updated. In higher education where publishing papers is a mandate for growth, school teachers will get competitive and will be given a push for upskilling. To help educators make the most of this program, most schools declare second and third Saturdays as holidays. 

Micro-Credentials for Students 

These courses are already a part of the curriculum mandated by the universities and the secondary boards of the country. It is added to the curriculum and adjusted by the schools and universities in the timetable itself.

Certification at universities should be initiated by the Govt of India like Swayam etc. Students can take on any course of interest ranging from pottery, electrical, carpentry, dance, music, art, craft, yoga, karate, AI, Python, counseling, etc. within the institution or outside, but will receive credits for the same if the certification and certification body is recognized.

Essential Micro-Credentials 

·       It may seem taxing but it’s important to know that most people have subject knowledge required at different levels/grades to teach but personality development, communication, and public speaking courses need attention. 

·       One should also have a deeper knowledge of the subject to enhance competency-based teaching and learning. This makes the educator and the student competent - a unique quality that is required and observed. 

·       Courses that can influence day-to-day work and simplify management like classroom management etc. which CBSE offers in their capacity building programs for teachers. 

·       Financial courses in self-management etc. 

·       Content writing 

·       Health and fitness courses 

· Counselling and Emotional Management from a well-recognized practitioner. 

·       Child parent counselling 

·       Neurolinguistic Program (NLP) 

·       Mental–health & First Aid 

·       Cognitive Behaviour Therapy 

The learning outcome of students, certification impact in terms of recognition for recruitment, cost, duration, and industry relevance are the main parameters. 

Impact on Job Markets 

Micro-credentials will definitely influence hiring practices as they arm students with skills, and to some extent make them industry-ready. This will reduce an employer’s cost and time in training the candidate. In turn, a candidate can get a higher remuneration or better designation than the one that an absolute fresher receives. 

Reaching the Hinterlands 

Teachers in the hinterlands can access online or blended learning courses that do not mandate physical presence. However, with the demand for micro-credentials getting stronger, many course providers are moving into the hinterlands to beat the competition, and this helps our educators who are craving for the same. 

The Future 

An educator is a learner.  With the upgradation of all curricula and the mandates in national education policy and NCF, learning is an ongoing and integral part of a teacher’s journey and micro-credentials help them to carve their own learning curve and development.