The place of micro-credentials in New Zealand
Micro-credentials and digital credentials are emerging as potential gamechangers in vocational education, especially in promoting lifelong learning, yet they remain relatively misunderstood both domestically and internationally. This issue affects a wide range of stakeholders, including learners seeking relevant and accessible professional development opportunities, employers striving to address skills shortages and foster workforce capabilities, educational institutions navigating the changing vocational education landscape, and government bodies responsible for policy development and regulation.
The issue
Micro-credentials and digital credentials are emerging as potential gamechangers in vocational education, especially in promoting lifelong learning, yet they remain relatively misunderstood both domestically and internationally. This issue affects a wide range of stakeholders, including learners seeking relevant and accessible professional development opportunities, employers striving to address skills shortages and foster workforce capabilities, educational institutions navigating the changing vocational education landscape, and government bodies responsible for policy development and regulation.
Intended outcomes
- New Zealand has been a pioneer in vocational education for years, with micro credentials and skills standards etc, however some of these innovations are now clashing, with the potential that these will diminish the value of each other.
- Micro-credentials have been on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework since 2018 with 424 available on the register and yet currently, there are only 7 construction and 5 infrastructure micro-credentials. Why is there so few on the register? What is the engagement and understanding of micro-credentials within the sectors?
The steps
- International comparative study
- Domestic engagement, analysis and review
- Final report and recommendation
Project status and expected delivery date: in progress – due end Dec 2024
Lead organisation: George Angus Consulting
Our founder, Stuart Martin is a globally respected Micro and Digital Credential expert with significant experience across vocational education from England and Wales to Hong Kong and New Zealand. He develops global educational strategies with a view to improving engagement in education and increasing access to education for women, indigenous and disadvantaged people.
Project Status: In Progress
Contract Research Organisation: ConCOVE
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