For students, microcredentials are an opportunity to validate extra-curricular learning that serves to develop interests and acquire new, specific skills. How should microcredentials be approached to make the most of their potential while studying?

Read on and you will learn:

• Microcredentials – what are they in the context of traditional education?
• How to start collecting microcredentials while studying?
• How can microcredentials help students?

Microcredentials – a complement to traditional education

Traditional education is not always enough to meet today’s challenges. While the ability to think critically or remember large amounts of information in a short time-period are important and often underestimated, it is no less important to master specific skills useful for particular tasks – from business analysis to programming to interior design. 

It is in this context that microcredentials – small, specialised certificates confirming the acquisition of specific skills or knowledge in a particular field – are emerging. They can include both hard skills (e.g., technical or those relating to a specific job) and soft skills (e.g., social, personal or digital competencies). Their purpose is to complement traditional education and increase one’s competitiveness in the job market. Microcredentials help enrich your resume and present your own unique competency profile. They also show that your skills have already been tested and validated by a trustworthy institution.

Microcredentials are often awarded after completing short courses or training programmes and passing an exam and/or handing in work. But earning them may require more work (e.g., 100 or even 200 hours of learning), or other types of achievements (e.g., involvement in community activities, participation in an event, or achievement of a specific result in a competition).

Microcredentials – where to start?

Microcredentials are already being offered at Polish universities. Examples include Enhance, available at Warsaw University of Technology, or the Lifelong Learning Certificate in Data Science at the Jagiellonian University. However, it’s worth remembering that you don’t have to earn them from the higher education institution where you are studying. 

“The first step should be to decide what you want to learn and why. That is, to set a goal – such as supplementing the knowledge gained at college, developing interests or preparing for recruitment to your first serious job and getting a good start to your career. It’s worth remembering that you should measure your strengths against your goals. Sometimes it’s better to take a short course and finish it, than to start a big one and get discouraged,” advises Dr. Wojciech Stęchły, chief expert on designing digital solutions for skills development in the project “Microcredentials – piloting a new solution to support lifelong learning.  

The second step is to look for the right microcredential – one that fits your needs, but also provides a guarantee of quality in the materials, support and the reputation of the institution offering it. Currently, this is still not as easy as it will be when information on all microcredentials is in one place. For now, microcredentials are scattered: they can be found on various educational and development platforms (from commercial to open platforms operated by educational institutions, including Navoica, Copernicus College, Coursera, Futureleran, etc.), at universities (especially those in Poland operating within European consortia), and are often offered by companies, corporations or non-profit organisations.

Third, as Dr. Stęchły points out, it is worth taking a moment to evaluate a given course or training and the associated microcredentials. You should look out for:

• Quality: the microcredentials you choose should be developed and implemented by a recognised educational or industry institution. It should provide brand confidence, offer a high standard of materials or support. Remember, too, that unless there is an exam (or some other test of skills), it is likely that anyone can earn such a microcredential and there is a risk that it may not be worth much.
• Timeliness and relevance: make sure the microcredential you choose fits your needs, but also your abilities. Are you already ready to attend a practical workshop, or is it better to do a short course on the theoretical aspects first? Is the microcredential practical enough, or does it require too much work? Pay attention to whether it is up-to-date; some skills become obsolete faster than others.
• Readability and recognisability: even the best training completed with a carelessly written paper certificate, with an uninteresting title and no information about the programme or the skills gained will ultimately be unconvincing. When making a choice, evaluate not only the content, but also the certificate itself. A good microcredential should have a digital format, be issued in accordance with one of the current standards (such as Open Badges). It’s also a good idea for it to have its own “page” that presents detailed information about your achievement.
• Verifiability: it is standard today to be able to verify authenticity with a single click. Pay attention to whether the microcredential publisher offers this.

The fourth and final step is to start studying and attain the microcredential. 

Microcredentials – why is it worth it?

Studies show that there are numerous benefits from self-study and involvement in extra-curricular activities. In addition to acquiring specific skills, students learn self-discipline, time management and self-reliance, attributes that are highly valued in the job market. As shown in the “Report on the Survey of Educational Activities of SGH Students in 2020” [W poszukiwaniu wiedzy, czyli pozaformalny wymiar studiowania w Szkole Głównej Handlowej w Warszawie. Raport z badania aktywności edukacyjnej studentów SGH w 2020], active participation of students in the life of the university, such as through volunteering, activities in study clubs or social projects, allows them to gain practical experience, develop soft skills and build a network of contacts, which increases their attractiveness in the eyes of future employers. 

“Microcredentials, such as those gained by attending  a training course organised by a potential employer or by completing MOOCs (massive open online courses), can open many doors. In particular, they are often recognised by employers who value employees with specific, practical skills. They make it easy and quick to adapt to the demands of the job market, which is crucial in rapidly developing industries, such as information technology, digital marketing or data analytics,” explains Dr. Stęchły. 

The benefits of self-study and involvement in extracurricular activities are invaluable. The independent acquisition of knowledge and skills demonstrates motivation, determination and time management skills. These are qualities that are highly valued by employers and simply come in handy in life. In addition, getting involved in a variety of extracurricular projects, such as volunteering, internships or activities in study groups, develops interpersonal skills, organisational skills and allows you to make valuable contacts.

Sources:

1. “W poszukiwaniu wiedzy, czyli pozaformalny wymiar studiowania w Szkole Głównej Handlowej w Warszawie. Raport z badania aktywności edukacyjnej studentów SGH w 2020” [In Search of Knowledge: the Informal Dimension of Studying at the Warsaw School of Economics. Report on the Survey of Educational Activities of SGH Students in 2020], https://open.icm.edu.pl/items/abc7a970-63a8-4f2c-8396-5c8553d9a640.
2. https://radon.nauka.gov.pl/opendata/reports/download/pdf/Mikropo%C5%9Bwiadczenia%20nowym%20kierunkiem%20rozwoju%20szkolnictwa%20wy%C5%BCszego.pdf