Making the Business Case for Micro-Credentials

Description

The emergence of alternative credentials is well documented as part of the credentialing landscape, and in some instances redefining its future. Some of these evolving forms of credentialing include digital badges, nano-degrees, verified certificates, stackable credentials, and micro-credentials. While “traditional” certifications continue to serve the needs of many credentialing enterprises, models of micro-credentials are emerging as enterprises make the business case for adding micro-credentials to their portfolio of credential offerings.

Still largely undefined, but generally agreed to as a smaller, discrete, specialized opportunity for education and skills assessment, micro-credentials are useful for both learners wanting to achieve a level of proficiency in a skill and/or job function, and workers seeking the same to remain current in and/or advance in their jobs, some of which may already require training or certification. Micro-credentials are also an opportunity for credentialing enterprises to maximize resources and expand their existing credentialing portfolio, focusing on job “functions” or a unique area of the job, rather than on the full slate of competencies associated with performing in an occupation or profession as reflected in professional certifications.

Professional Testing, Inc. has worked with several credentialing enterprises in the development of micro-credentials, each time uniquely finding the approach to best fit the needs of the enterprise and its stakeholders. While there are several approaches organizations can take in developing micro-credentials, the models herein presented are assessment based, stemming from both professional certifications and certificate-awarding programs. Understanding the need of the enterprise informed the methodology utilized to develop the micro-credential, and helped make the business case to support its development and implementation. The models of micro-credentials that emerged are, therefore, unique to each credentialing enterprise.