SUSAN FORSEILLE
KAMLOOPS – Thompson Rivers University, Open Learning (TRU-OL) has received $73,143 to develop a provincial process for the assessment of micro-credentials across BC’s public post-secondary system.
Micro-credentials recognize short-term, skill-based learning opportunities that align with labour market or community needs. TRU-OL will be assessing up to 15 provincially funded micro-credentials that have been awarded to post-secondary institutions (PSIs) for possible academic credit. TRU-OL has formed a committee of senior PSI representatives to develop and test a process to assess these micro-credentials. This committee will report on findings with recommendations for repeatable and sustainable processes that expand PSIs’ current skill validation.
“The future of work and post-secondary education is changing exponentially,” says Susan Forseille, TRU-OL’s director of Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition. “Where and how we learn, and how our learning is assessed and validated, are all part of these changes. This project will allow us to develop new pathways for students that are more accessible and align with labour market demand.”
Students who complete a micro-credential receive in-demand skills for employment, which may also lead to additional learning pathways to further improve their qualifications and expand their career opportunities.
“Micro-credentials are a great way to offer learning opportunities to people. They’re short, easy to access programs that help people gain skills for high-demand jobs in their communities,” says Selina Robinson, Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills. “By developing a provincial process, we’ll improve access to new education pathways and better support post-secondary institutions in delivering these courses to meet the needs of a rapidly changing workforce.”
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