In today’s rapidly changing job market, staying competitive requires continuous learning and skill development. Traditional degrees remain valuable, but they may not always align with the immediate needs of employers or the job seekers who want to work for them.
Microcredentialing is emerging as an alternative way for current and future workers to gain in-demand skills and hands-on experience. Here’s what you need to know about this emerging trend.
What are microcredentials?
Microcredentials add verified skills and competencies to your resume, according to the State University of New York (SUNY)—which currently offers more than 500 microcredentials in 60+ areas in high-demand fields, including:
- Accounting, finance, and taxation
- Supply chain, project management, and business practices in the US
- Entrepreneurship, leadership, and marketing
- Non-profit, small business, and grant writing
- Computer science, data science, and analytics
- IT, cybersecurity, networking, cloud, and support
- Esports and gaming
- Renewable energy, green building, and clean technology
Think of a microcredential like a certification or mini degree. At the University of Buffalo, microcredentials are never more than 11 credit hours and can be earned as quickly as one semester.
Some examples of microcredentials offered by SUNY include: Adobe Photoshop Basics, Executive Level Fundraising for Nonprofits, Excel Skills for Data Analytics, Introduction to Machine Learning, and Project Management Fundamentals. There really is something for everyone.
Who can earn microcredentials?
There are a variety of microcredentialing programs out there already, and more are likely on the way. These programs can be a good option for anyone who wants to advance or broaden their skillsets—current students, active job seekers, working professionals, people returning to the workforce, etc. High schools are even embracing microcredentials as a way to prepare students for life after graduation, whether they decide to pursue a degree or jump directly into a career.
Eligibility requirements and costs vary by program. Some microcredentials can be earned online, some are offered in-person, and others leverage on-the-job experience and workshops.
A learning curve for talent acquisition professionals
Microcredentials are still newer to the education scene, relatively speaking. A 2023 report that surveyed individuals responsible for the training, hiring, or development of other employees found that 69 percent of respondents were extremely or very familiar with nondegree credentials.
When asked which challenges or drawbacks their organization associates with a resume that includes non-degree or alternative credentials, respondents most commonly cited that they were unsure of the quality of education (46 percent) or the skills and competences acquired (42 percent). Others were unsure of how the credentials aligned with occupational or professional standards (33 percent) or what the credential represents (31 percent).
Microcredentialing offers a flexible, targeted approach to acquiring in-demand skills that can help job seekers and professionals stay competitive in today’s fast-evolving job market. While traditional degrees still hold value, microcredentials provide a faster, more focused alternative that aligns closely with the specific needs of employers. As more institutions and industries embrace these mini-certifications, job seekers have the opportunity to enhance their resumes with relevant skills, while employers will need to become more familiar with evaluating and integrating microcredentials into their hiring practices. Ultimately, microcredentialing represents a shift towards lifelong learning and adaptability in an increasingly skills-driven economy.
Authored by Talent Consultant Sarah Garcia.
