Tag: Microcredentials

The Conversation published the following description on the 14th of October 2021:

“In Australia, the term microcredential describes different types of smaller bites of learning offered by universities, TAFEs and private education providers. The term is often used interchangeably with short courses…” [1]

The Australian Government’s Department of Education, Skills and Employment released the National Microcredentials Framework on the 22nd of April 2022. This document gives the following definition:

The framework defines microcredentials as a certification of assessed learning or competency, with a minimum volume of learning of one hour and less than an AQF award qualification, that is additional, alternate, complementary to or a component part of an AQF award qualification. [2]

From these sources, we can say that a microcredential is usually a short duration training program that includes assessment. Certification is issued to people who can demonstrate their attainment of the learning outcomes.

Who can provide a microcredential?

Microcredentials are unregulated, which differentiates them from other products delivered by higher education or vocational education and training sectors. [3] There are many providers of microcredentials.

There are ‘regulated providers’ of microcredentials:

• Universities and other higher education providers (regulated by TEQSA)
• Registered training organisations (regulated by ASQA).

There is a myriad of ‘unregulated providers’ of microcredentials:

• Providers of industry training (some are industry associations, others can be affiliated with an industry associations, and others may align their microcredentials to industry standards)
• Providers of community training
• Providers of commercial training.

Also, some ‘regulated providers’ are providing microcredentials that are ‘non-regulated microcredentials’. For example, a registered training organisation can provide a microcredential that is not a skill set, unit or units of competency from a Training Package. This leverages from the brand recognition of the provider and avoids requiring the microcredential to comply with the regulations for operating as a registered training organisation.

The following diagram provides a simplistic view of the range of microcredential providers.

In conclusion

The microcredentials ecosystem is disparate. The National Microcredentials Framework aims to bring some coherence to this ecosystem. [4]

Do you want to learn more about the National Microcredentials Framework? I am presenting a ‘How to implement the National Microcredentials Framework‘ training course. The following topics will be covered during the 2-hours of training:

• National Microcredentials Framework
• Unifying principles of microcredentials
• Volume of learning for microcredentials
• Learning outcomes and assessment methods
• Critical information requirements for microcredentials
• Essential quality assurance processes for microcredentials
• Five steps towards implementing microcredentials.

Look here for more details.

References

[1] https://theconversation.com/microcredentials-what-are-they-and-will-they-really-revolutionise-education-and-improve-job-prospects-169265 accessed 6 April 2022

[2] https://www.dese.gov.au/higher-education-publications/resources/national-microcredentials-framework (page 3) accessed 6 April 2022

[3] https://www.dese.gov.au/higher-education-publications/resources/national-microcredentials-framework (page 12) accessed 6 April 2022

[4] https://www.dese.gov.au/higher-education-publications/resources/national-microcredentials-framework (page 2) accessed 6 April 2022

Training trainers since 1986

The National Microcredentials Framework was released on the 22nd of March 2022. The Framework aims to provide a nationally consistent framework for defining microcredentials across higher education (HE), vocational education and training (VET), and industry.

On Target Work Skills is proud to have developed a learning program about how to implement the National Microcredentials Framework. This program consists of:

• 2-hour training session
• Assessment tasks (optional).

This program is being delivered as a microcredential with the following characteristics specified by the National Microcredentials Framework:

• The learning outcomes for the microcredential must be clearly stated
• A microcredential requires assessment that provides evidence that learning outcomes have been achieved
• Microcredentials must have a volume of learning that is at least one hour
• Microcredentials may certify the attainment of skills, knowledge, and competencies.

Learning outcomes

The learning outcomes for this program are:

• Develop learning outcomes for a microcredential
• Describe the assessment method for a microcredential
• Estimate the volume of learning for a microcredential
• Write a microcredential descriptor using the critical information requirements as a guide
• Write a quality assurance statement
• Draft an accurate and truthful certificate of attainment for a microcredential.

Key content points

The key content for this learning program are:

• National Microcredentials Framework
• Unifying principles of microcredentials
• Volume of learning
• Learning outcomes
• Assessment methods
• Levels of skills acquisition
• Critical information requirements
• Accurate and truthful certification
• Essential quality assurance processes
• Quality assurance statement
• Implementation steps.

Assessment

Assessment is optional. You may complete and submit the following practical assessment tasks:

• Develop learning outcome for a microcredential
• Describe the assessment method for a microcredential
• Estimate the volume of learning for a microcredential
• Write a microcredential descriptor using the critical information requirements as a guide
• Write a quality assurance statement
• Draft an accurate and truthful certificate of attainment for a microcredential.

If you are assessed as having attained the learning outcome, then you will receive a ‘Certificate of Attainment’.

If you decide not to be assessed, you will be issued with a ‘Certificate of Attendance’ that still can be valid evidence of participation in structured professional development.

Training date

The next training date is:

Monday 5th of September 2022, starting at 10:00am Australian Eastern Standard Time.

Training location

You can attend from your workplace or home because the training session will be delivered via Zoom. The connection to Zoom is quick, and using Zoom is easy. Instructions about joining Zoom will be provided when your training enrolment is confirmed.

Training fee

The training fee is $285, and this is to be paid at the time of your enrolment

There is no additional cost for the assessment.

Additional tutoring or consulting to your organisation about implementing the National Microcredentials Framework is available, but this would incur an additional cost.

Enrolment

Enrolment is essential.

Please call Alan Maguire on 0493 065 396 to reserve your place.

Contact now!

Training trainers since 1986