Micro-credentials offer workers the ability to upskill at a more flexible pace

Innovative training programmes developed by Skillnet Ireland in collaboration with education and training partners are aimed at overcoming some of the key challenges faced by people when committing to upskilling programmes. The micro-credential programmes are targeted at the needs of industry and offer workers the ability to upskill at a more flexible pace.

“Micro-credentials offer a shorter learning experience which is more manageable for learners and businesses,” says Skillnet Ireland director of business networks Dave Flynn. “We know businesses and workers often struggle to engage with and commit to upskilling programmes. These barriers manifest in a variety of ways including cost, time, relevance, uncertainty of offerings and so on, but in a recent Skillnet Ireland study we found that existing time commitments is the main barrier preventing workers from engaging in upskilling programmes.”

In the survey of 500 businesses throughout Ireland, 43 per cent of them cited existing time commitments as the main barrier. Among large businesses with more than 250 employees the figure jumped to 67 per cent.

“Despite these difficulties our research also highlighted that almost three-quarter of employees (74 per cent) have engaged in some form of upskilling in the past 12 months,” Flynn adds. “Skillnet Ireland is the national talent development agency for enterprise. We support 24,000 businesses and 92,000 learners with training and upskilling needs through 70 Skillnet Business Networks around the country. We understand the importance of upskilling and lifelong learning whilst also appreciating the real difficulties businesses face. Therefore, we partner with industry and educational providers to develop workforce development solutions that work for businesses. One recent innovation in this space is the micro-credential programmes.”

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The importance of these short programmes has been recognised by both the World Economic Forum (WEF) and the OECD. “The WEF has highlighted the value of micro-credentials of accessing new pipelines of talent,” he says. “People who may have shied away from learning experiences or hadn’t been offered them before this can avail of these now programmes. The OECD has pointed to the importance of strengthening recognition for lifelong learning by putting a value on it in the form of micro-credentials.”

The micro-credential programmes available through Skillnet Ireland cover a variety of areas including climate action, transport, and construction. Last year, Skillnet Ireland in partnership with the University of Limerick (UL) launched the first enterprise-led micro-credential programmes dedicated to climate action in Ireland. The programmes, developed by Skillnet Ireland’s climate ready academy, enable participants to develop tailored sustainability charters and action plans for their organisation across the areas of energy, sustainability and waste and circularity while also achieving recognised third-level certification on the national framework of qualifications. The micro-credentials can be stacked, over time, leading to a full level 7 award accredited by the University of Limerick.

Three programmes are offered at present: energy leaders, waste and circular economy leaders, and the sustainability leaders.

In the transport sector, the CILT Skillnet launched its electric vehicle fundamentals micro-credentials programme earlier this year. The 15-week programme was designed in partnership with Technological University of the Shannon, Midlands Midwest and equips learners with a broad knowledge of hybrid and battery EVs and the skills needed to maintain and repair hybrid and electric vehicles.

“The delivery of bespoke programmes of this type is essential for the success of Ireland’s plan to tackle the climate crisis,” says Flynn.

The Construction Professionals Skillnet has come together with Griffith College Dublin to develop a programme aimed at supporting the construction industry’s need to upskill in the area of modern methods of construction (MMC).

The new micro-credential in strategic co-ordination and collaboration for modern methods of construction was developed following intensive engagement with industry to identify the key knowledge and skill gaps in the sector when it comes to the use of this developing area of construction. The programme is highly practical and ensures that participants acquire the knowledge and develop the necessary skills to effectively deliver an MMC project in Ireland.

“Modern methods of construction is a key component in helping the construction industry meet the government’s ambitious targets for housing, as well as the broader commercial requirements of the economy,” Flynn notes. “This programme will play a direct role in helping to deliver on the Housing for All and Project Ireland 2040 targets.”

He believes micro-credential programmes will grow in importance. “The programmes can be classroom based or delivered virtually at times to suit the learners and their employers. I anticipate that most Skillnet business networks around the country will be delivering micro-credential programmes in the years to come in response to demand for this form of shorter, sharper training.”