As the U.S faces a shortage of trained technical professionals to fill specialized roles, skills-based microcredentials are providing new pathways to careers and helping industry bridge workforce gaps to power future technologies.
What are microcredentials?
Microcredentials are a relatively new type of credential that represent the mastery of specific skills in a learning program. In order to earn them, learners must demonstrate the skill through a skills validation assessment. They can be stackable to show a growing skillset in a defined area, allowing learners to earn several microcredentials in one program. Microcredentials are also verifiable and digitally shareable, showing employers the skills learners have acquired.
What industry needs do microcredentials fill?
The U.S. will need about 1 million additional STEM workers by 2033. A recent Deloitte study estimates that the semiconductor industry, alone, will need one million more skilled workers by 2030. Many of these specialized roles, while crucial for advancing innovative technology, don’t require four-year degrees.
Microcredentials can help fill these gaps quickly by offering specialized skills validation in areas such as cleanroom safety, manufacturing equipment proficiency, data analysis skills, and more. They are increasingly recognized as a valuable way to develop skills for roles.
Who can earn microcredentials?
Skills-based microcredentials are for individuals seeking specialized training in a specific area of technology. Microcredentials enable prospective tech professionals to seek the knowledge, skills, and abilities that will unlock entry-level opportunities in IEEE’s identified technology fields.
Working professionals can use microcredentials to level-up skills (upskill) or learn new skill sets (reskill) to advance their professional development and opportunities in emerging tech fields or within their industries or organizations.
How are they different from other credentials?
It’s important to understand where microcredentials fall in the wider scope of credentials earned through learning programs. There are several kinds of credentials and they fall along a spectrum from easy accessibility and low personal investment to restricted accessibility and high investment.
Microcredentials are more accessible than other learning credentials in that they don’t require the time commitment or investment cost of degrees or certifications. Since microcredentials are a new type of credential, the reputation of the microcredentials provider is going to be crucial for demonstrating market value.
Does IEEE offer microcredentials?
The IEEE Credentialing Program provides trusted, third-party verification of technical skills-based microcredentials on behalf of training providers and industry. Universities, community colleges, technical training providers, apprenticeship programs, and other training programs can offer students an industry-recognized credential that helps companies identify candidates with the skills they need.
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