Are you hoping to gain some skills that will set you apart from the crowded workforce? Are you lacking some soft skills or technological abilities that would make you better at your job? If the idea of going back to school feels overwhelming or is out of your budget, but you want to enjoy a new set of skills, consider microcredentials. These bite-sized credential programs allow you to gain knowledge and skills within your budget and in a timeline that will get you back to work quickly, armed with a new skill set.
What Are Microcredentials?
Microcredentialing opportunities can occur in college classes, bootcamps or in-house training sessions that help you understand and master a specific area of competency. They help you build the skill. The microcredential itself is recognition, often in the form of a digital badge, that you have proof of your mastery of the skills. Microcredentials work well for professionals who need to add an incremental skill and want to offer proof they have it.
Benefits of Higher Education Microcredentials
Microcredentials from an institute of higher education can be a great way to extend both your knowledge and your skills. They are frequently career-focused to offer skills you can apply immediately on the job. When these learning opportunities come from an institute of higher education, the learner can better demonstrate they gained legitimate skills from a solid education program.
If you have a skill set you need to add, or if you are an employer looking to provide training to team members, microcredential opportunities are a great tool to use. Here are some of the benefits of adding competencies through microcredential opportunities as you seek to make yourself more marketable in the modern workforce.
Fill in a Skill Gap with Immediately Applicable Skills
Today’s worker needs a highly specific skill set to do most jobs. This skill set can include technical capabilities as well as so-called “soft” or “people” skills. Through microcredential opportunities—and accompanying digital badges—in higher education, you could add these skills to your resume, closing the skills gap and helping you remain relevant in the modern workforce.
For example, if you are an older worker who did not gain many computer skills during your time in school, you may find that the lack of a tech competency makes it difficult to progress in the modern workforce. Perhaps the job you want to move into requires you know coding, but you do not have those skills. Earning an SAS Certified Specialist: Base Programming microcredential and adding it to your resume can help prove your competency.
Or, perhaps, you are looking to move into management and leadership, but lack those kinds of supervisory skills. People skills are sometimes hard to gain in your day-to-day work, especially if you have never had the opportunity to lead people. Leadership and management classes with microcredential opportunities could help you be a serious contender for leadership roles within your organization.
Scalable Learning to Fit Your Needs
Microcredentialing offers scalable learning options that allow you to fill in the gaps on your resume without spending extra time reviewing competencies you already have. This scalability also lets employers invest in training to maintain the productivity of their workforce without wasting time on training team members do not need.
Employment Advancement
Sometimes, microcredentials can mean the difference between career advancement and being overlooked for a raise or promotion. Often, it is all about your skill set. If you are hoping to advance in your career path, adding more skills can be critical. Microcredentials can be a quick and affordable way to do so.
Cost and Time Effective Education Option
Another perk microcredentials earned through a higher education platform is the fact that it is a good way to use both your time and your money. These credential opportunities are usually quite affordable, and they do not take much time to complete. While the amount of time and money you need to invest will depend on the skill set you pursue, you will often find that it is far less than you would invest if you went back to school for a complete degree or certificate program.
Credentials Backed by a College or University
When you add soft skills to your resume, they carry more power when you can put the name of a recognized academic institution alongside your digital badge. A reputable college or university’s name can make the skill appear more valid to a potential employer. The only way to get that perk is through higher education microcredential opportunities, like those available from Post University.
Stand out from the Crowd
Today’s executives are finding that people lack the skills they need to do the jobs they have for them. This skills gap, which 95% of employers claim they see in the workforce, is a serious issue. One way you can stand out from the crowd is by closing the skills gap through your own education. These bite-sized skill-building options allow you to demonstrate your capabilities and stand out as you seek advancement or new opportunities.
Microcredential Programs at Post University
Whether you are looking for micro credentials for your workforce or want to invest in your own professional development by adding these to your skill set, Post University has a program that will fit your needs. Our microcredential programs are flexible and pertinent to the modern work environment. We have both skill-focused and human-focused credentialing programs to meet a wide range of needs. Learn more about how our microcredentials work, or browse our existing microcredential programs, and get started furthering your education to make you an effective, in-demand worker.
Thank you for reading! The views and information provided in this post do not reflect Post University programs and/or outcomes directly. If you are interested in learning more about our programs, you can find a complete list of our programs on our website or reach out directly!