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Microcredentials at Canadore College

Nov 19, 2020 | Cindy Males, Public Relations and Communications Specialist

As industries evolve, the skills of their workforces evolve too.  Canadore College is already a leader in providing innovative and flexible educational opportunities that meet the needs of learners and local, regional, and global partners. To continue that tradition, the College is moving forward with a policy and framework to offer microcredentials to meet those training needs.

“Offering microcredentials is another way Canadore College will continue to meet the needs of business and industry who rely on us to provide trained workers who are ready to do the job from day one,” said George Burton, Canadore College President and CEO

Here is what you need to know:

What is a microcredential?

Microcredentials provide learners with educational opportunities to gain specific skills necessary to compete in a global job market.

Microcredentials are designed:

  • in collaboration with industry;
  • to enhance a learner’s knowledge, skills and attitudes with specialized, industry-relevant training;
  • to respond to a rapidly evolving economy;
  • to be offered in short (between four and 100+ hours), customizable learning experiences; and
  • to follow a variety of delivery approaches, including self-paced, instructor-led, online, blended, and face-to-face formats.

Implementation of Microcredentials

A new microcredential policy and framework have been developed and were recently approved by Canadore’s Senior Executive Team. A strategy for implementation is underway, and includes an examination of the College’s existing program content, as well as consultation with regional industries. Addressing skills and knowledge gaps in partnership with industry will assist in the development of new and relevant offerings.

Under this new classification, Canadore will offer the following categories of microcredentials:

  1. Badge
  • Credit or non-credit experience/workshop/course
  • Up to 15 hours in duration
  • Designed to provide a basic skill, knowledge and/or attitude for entry-level employment, professional development, or lifelong learning
  1. Certificate of Training
  • Credit or non-credit workshop/course(s)
  • Instructor-led
  • Up to 100 hours in duration
  • Designed to provide a limited set of skills, knowledge, and/or attitudes for a specific discipline, trade or occupation for entry-level employment, professional development, or lifelong learning
  1. Canadore College Certificate
  • Credit or non-credit course(s) or program
  • Instructor-led
  • May be as low as 100 hours in duration
  • Designed to provide a set of enhanced skills, knowledge and attitudes for entry-level employment, professional development, or lifelong learning.

Next Steps:

Developing the implementation strategy for offering microcredentials, which includes:

  • Reaching out to our Program Advisory Committees (PACs) and industry in our region to determine their needs. The plan is to offer microcredential opportunities through Continuing Education and Corporate Training which has established processes in place to rapidly respond to changing industry needs.
  • Determining how best to engage students so they can recognize microcredentials are essential to their job search upon graduation.
  • Determining the best issuing platform to use in order to acknowledge the completion of the credential(s).

Note:

Canadore College’s Centre of Access, Interdisciplinary Studies and Lifelong Learning  is currently partnering with Spark LifeCare, an Ottawa-based organization that connects caregivers and clients, and Spark University, a non-profit, volunteer-led organization that develops and provides courses and certification for caregivers.  The partnership was formed as a result of critical issues identified in the caregiving industry including the lack of formal training for those in caregiving roles at home or in their communities, and recognition of the need for caregiving in other areas such as mental health, addictions, and personal support work.

The centre was recently awarded $15,000 from an eCampusOntario pilot program to develop a new online course titled “Professional Practice in Caregiving”. 

For more information:

Canadore College Continuing Education:  CE@canadorecollege.ca

https://www.canadorecollege.ca/programs/microcredentials

#Academic Centre of Excellence #George Burton #News #Program Development

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