**Micro-Credentials: Advancing Education for Learners and Enterprises**:
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Finding the time for lifelong learning or upskilling amidst personal and work commitments can often feel like a distant dream. However, over a year since the introduction of MicroCreds.ie in Ireland, micro-credentials are turning this dream into a reality. Offering a range of short, accredited courses, MicroCreds allows individuals with busy lives to progress and future-proof their careers or re-enter the workforce with renewed confidence. Moreover, many courses target the country’s skill shortages across essential sectors, exemplified by University of Galway’s micro-credential courses in construction innovation.
**Bridging Skill Gaps in Construction**:
Professor Jamie Goggins, from the School of Engineering at University of Galway and Director of Construct Innovate, Ireland’s National Research Centre for Construction Technology and Innovation, has developed a suite of courses in response to the critical skills needs within the construction and built environment sectors.
“Construct Innovate, hosted at University of Galway and supported by partner institutions including Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin, University College Cork, and the Irish Green Building Council, offers five micro-credential courses: Passive House Design; Sustainability Planning in Construction; Digital Construction Technologies; Modern Methods of Construction; and Innovation & Entrepreneurship.”
**Focus on Sustainability and Innovation**:
These micro-credentials emphasize the knowledge and skills required to develop sustainable technological solutions for the construction sector’s challenges. Learners are introduced to sustainable innovations and data-driven approaches for informed decision-making within the industry. Sustainability is a recurring theme, with a dedicated micro-credential focusing on sustainable planning in construction.
Goggins highlights the flexibility of these courses, allowing learners to take them individually or stack courses such as Sustainability Planning in Construction, Digital Construction Technologies, and Modern Methods of Construction to earn a Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert). This approach ensures that learners can tailor their educational journey to meet their specific needs and career goals.
### Flexible Pathways to Advanced Qualifications:
They also have the option to pursue a master’s degree by completing a final research project within their company,” Goggins added. The stackable micro-credential to master’s pathway offers multiple entry and exit points, enabling learners to tailor their educational journey to their professional development goals.”
### Collaborating with Industry Leaders:
The Construct Innovate Centre boasts an active membership of over 70 companies, ranging from small firms to industry giants such as SISK Contractors, John Paul Construction, Glenveagh, Arup, the Land Development Agency, and Jones Engineering. The proposed micro-credentials, along with the subsequent certificates and degrees, target individuals at various qualification levels. They aim to upskill or reskill professionals to meet the critical demand for skills in digital adoption, sustainability, and modern construction methods. So far, the courses have attracted a diverse group of learners, including engineers from various disciplines, quantity surveyors, architects, product designers, construction managers, and individuals with a scientific background. While a level 8 qualification is generally required, entry has also been granted to students with a level 7 award through the recognition of prior learning.
### Affordable and Accessible Learning:
Micro-credentials are becoming an increasingly popular and flexible way for learners to tackle new challenges, develop critical skills, and advance their careers. Courses offered by MicroCreds partner universities (Dublin City University, Maynooth University, Trinity College Dublin, University College Cork, University College Dublin, University of Galway, and University of Limerick) range in price from €200 to €2000, depending on the course’s duration and level. The Higher Education Authority (HEA) has introduced the HCI Pillar 3 Learner Fee Subsidy, offering incentives of 50 to 80 percent on over 300 courses listed on MicroCreds.ie. This subsidy has significantly increased interest and demand from learners.
“The variety of micro-credential courses available, their flexible delivery format, and the subsidised fee structure create the perfect combination to drive demand,” said Nuala McGuinn, Director of Adult Learning and Professional Development at University of Galway.They appreciate the flexibility offered by these courses and the relevant topics covered. Micro-credentials also provide a point of entry to higher education for individuals who may not meet traditional degree programme requirements or lack the confidence to undertake full degrees. Introductory-level micro-credentials help build the necessary skills and knowledge for more extensive formal programmes, thereby increasing access to education.”
### Innovative Learning Formats:
Micro-credential courses are primarily delivered in fully online or blended learning formats. Materials are designed for asynchronous learning, allowing students to review content independently at their convenience. Synchronous webinars provide opportunities to interact with lecturers and fellow students, discuss key concepts, meet industry experts, and share best practices. Given that many students are professionals in their fields, their expertise and insights enhance the learning experience through peer-to-peer interaction. Outside of class, learners benefit from continuous support from their lecturers and can stay connected with peers through online discussion forums.
Micro-credentials are revolutionizing education, offering a flexible, affordable, and accessible way for learners to upskill, reskill, and engage in lifelong learning at their own pace. Whether you’re looking to advance in your current career or re-enter the workforce with new skills, MicroCreds provides a pathway tailored to your needs and aspirations.
They also have the option to pursue a master’s degree by completing a final research project within their company,” Goggins added. The stackable micro-credential to master’s pathway offers multiple entry and exit points, enabling learners to tailor their educational journey to their professional development goals.”
### Collaborating with Industry Leaders:
The Construct Innovate Centre boasts an active membership of over 70 companies, ranging from small firms to industry giants such as SISK Contractors, John Paul Construction, Glenveagh, Arup, the Land Development Agency, and Jones Engineering. The proposed micro-credentials, along with the subsequent certificates and degrees, target individuals at various qualification levels. They aim to upskill or reskill professionals to meet the critical demand for skills in digital adoption, sustainability, and modern construction methods. So far, the courses have attracted a diverse group of learners, including engineers from various disciplines, quantity surveyors, architects, product designers, construction managers, and individuals with a scientific background. While a level 8 qualification is generally required, entry has also been granted to students with a level 7 award through the recognition of prior learning.
### Affordable and Accessible Learning:
Micro-credentials are becoming an increasingly popular and flexible way for learners to tackle new challenges, develop critical skills, and advance their careers. Courses offered by MicroCreds partner universities (Dublin City University, Maynooth University, Trinity College Dublin, University College Cork, University College Dublin, University of Galway, and University of Limerick) range in price from €200 to €2000, depending on the course’s duration and level. The Higher Education Authority (HEA) has introduced the HCI Pillar 3 Learner Fee Subsidy, offering incentives of 50 to 80 percent on over 300 courses listed on MicroCreds.ie. This subsidy has significantly increased interest and demand from learners.
“The variety of micro-credential courses available, their flexible delivery format, and the subsidised fee structure create the perfect combination to drive demand,” said Nuala McGuinn, Director of Adult Learning and Professional Development at University of Galway.They appreciate the flexibility offered by these courses and the relevant topics covered. Micro-credentials also provide a point of entry to higher education for individuals who may not meet traditional degree programme requirements or lack the confidence to undertake full degrees. Introductory-level micro-credentials help build the necessary skills and knowledge for more extensive formal programmes, thereby increasing access to education.”
### Innovative Learning Formats:
Micro-credential courses are primarily delivered in fully online or blended learning formats. Materials are designed for asynchronous learning, allowing students to review content independently at their convenience. Synchronous webinars provide opportunities to interact with lecturers and fellow students, discuss key concepts, meet industry experts, and share best practices. Given that many students are professionals in their fields, their expertise and insights enhance the learning experience through peer-to-peer interaction. Outside of class, learners benefit from continuous support from their lecturers and can stay connected with peers through online discussion forums.
Micro-credentials are revolutionizing education, offering a flexible, affordable, and accessible way for learners to upskill, reskill, and engage in lifelong learning at their own pace. Whether you’re looking to advance in your current career or re-enter the workforce with new skills, MicroCreds provides a pathway tailored to your needs and aspirations.
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