Introduction to Micro-Credentials
4. Where Do Micro Credentials Fit?
Focus
Micro credentials are really about specific skills and competencies that are in demand so the credential is smaller than a certificate - which is why the term "micro-certification" is often used.
Micro-credentials can be stacked to result in a bigger certification
Stakeholders
Key stakeholders for formal education:
- learners,
- employers,
- providers and
- policy makers
(Oliver, 2019). For micro-credentials the stakeholders are arguably the same.
Surfnet (2019) a Dutch organization lists the stakeholders for digital badges as:
- badge holder,
- badge issuer
- enquirer (assessor) (Surfnet, 2019)
The typical learner is well educated (already has a degree) average age is 36 and median salary is $50,000 US. (Kato et al, 2020). Their main motivation is acquire new skills and could include extrinsic, intrinsic and practical factors (ibid).
Micro-credentials complements prior education , experience & training (ibid)
The following image from the OECD (Kato et al) report shows how alternative credentials fit with other qualifications:
