Moving Towards Micro-Credentials

The AQF (Australian Qualifications Framework) review in 2019 signalled a new era for a holistic training system in Australia. Focused on student needs and outcomes, its recommendations were to make the framework more robust and fit for the future.

As part of the Federal Government’s response to COVID-19, Minister for Education Dan Tehan announced that there would be funding for universities to produce micro-credentials for job seekers to use that would enable them to gain meaningful skills to access work.

This year Austrade also released a new program called, Study with Australia. A collection of micro-credentials created by Australian education providers hosted on Future Learn’s eLearning platform that were free to international students to participate in. This demonstrated a collaborative effort towards recognising and utilising micro-credentials whilst making it more accessible.

Image by Marisa Schoen

NCVER state that micro-credentials are also known as digital badges, nano degrees, micro-certifications, web badges, mini degrees and open badges (. They focus on small elements of learning. They may or may not fit into the definition of accredited training under the AQF, however they are considered accredited in that they come with some form of formal recognition for learning through one of the listed certifications (NCVER, 2018).

Micro-credentials allow responsive and reactive training to industries with changing needs. While it takes an accredited course up to 12 months to be developed and approved by the relevant regulator, a short course created in collaboration with industry can be created in a comparably short period of time. For niche providers this can be a way to demonstrate awareness and leadership within a chosen field and can complement accredited training.

The best example of a responsive and agile approach is the rise of Mental Health First Aid. In order to have more control over content and delivery, Mental Health First Aid Australia (MHFAA) have created their own internally accredited courses around mental health. Instructors must complete MHFA instructor training and all resources are owned and copywrited by MHFAA.

Another example is Child Protection training. In order to be current in child safety regulation and best practice, many child care centres or school providers mandate employees must complete Child Protection training before they can begin work. Child Protection training is created and delivered by government departments, training providers and child safety specialists such as Bravehearts.

Micro-credentials can be an excellent way to deliver innovative training to your students. It is also a great way to produce content rich interactive delivery through your eLearning system while not being bound to unit of competency requirements. Short courses can be fully online with creative and engaging content that will keep students eager to continue study, or take a blended approach with face-to-face or online meeting components.

The development of a short course can also be a good way for a training provider to try new engagement specialists to assist with short course development before moving onto a full unit of competency.