Micro Certifications in Canada Education Research Paper

Micro Certifications in Canada
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Technological advancements that continue to characterize the 21st century are having significant impacts on different sectors of the economy including education. Particularly, the advancements have fostered the growth and development of online learning that provides students and individuals who are enthusiastic about furthering their education without having to attend the conventional physical classrooms. In light of the corona virus pandemic that has brought the entire world on its knees, online learning has stood out as a platform that ensures education is not disrupted. Furthermore, through the non-conventional learning path of micro certification individuals not only pursue and complete online courses that equip them with specific technical skills but also allow them to receive credentials in a matter of days. The corona virus pandemic has accorded individuals with plenty of free time since they have been forced to social distance and self-quarantine in their homes to spread its spread. In that regard, there are various Canadian companies that offer micro certifications that employees can enroll and polish or build their skill sets.
eCampusOntario
eCampusOntario has in the recent past stood out for its efforts in driving a harmonized micro certification system that supports higher education institutions in Ontario and the workforce. It achieves that objective by not only hosting a community forum and spearheading the development of a common set of specifications but also deploying a micro certification platform. It is essential to note that micro certification refers to the official certification of an acquired ability. According to its website, “Compared to traditional education credentials, micro-certifications are shorter, often shared across networks in digital formats, and tailored to employer needs”. The above statement highlights some of the benefits of micro certifications particularly for the working class population. These certifications support life long-learning and allow our workforce to remain up to date and responsive to the needs of local labour markets.
eCampusOntario assists in promoting a province-wide enlightenment on micro certification since it comprises of about 45 universities and colleges situated in and around the expansive region of Ontario, Canada. Some of the member colleges and universities include Cambrian College, Seneca, St. Lawrence College, Confederation College and Sault College among others. There are also about 10 employers that collaborate with eCampusOntario including City of Toronto, Toronto Public library and the Regional Board of Economic Development. As such, eCampusOntario micro certifications have been phenomenal in checking for in-demand skills and consequently matching work-ready employees with gaps in the regions labor market. Micro-certifications are designed to target high-demand skills, resulting in job applicants who are both qualified and easily recognizable to companies and sectors looking to hire. A shorter timeframe to complete and lower costs make micro-certification accessible to a larger talent pool.
eCampusOntario’s work with micro-credentials aims to strengthen and expand micro-certification activity at Ontario colleges and universities through a common framework and a community of practice. As part of this work, eCampusOntario supports 14 education/industry micro-certification pilots, where Ontario post-secondary institutions and industry partners collaborate to test new credentials. The organization’s learning online platform comprises of the Ontario’s best online learning opportunities. Learners have access to information on thousands of online courses and programs from Ontario’s 45 publicly funded colleges and universities. The portal is designed to facilitate easy discovery of Ontario’s unparalleled online learning opportunities by providing concise, at-your-fingertips information. The organization’s open library is a collection of open textbooks and other open resources. The curated collection aligns with top subject areas in post-secondary education and features reviews from experts and educators. There are more than 360 resources in the open library (eCampusOntario, 2020).
Additionally, through the Student Experience Design (SXD) Lab, the organization empowers student-led, open innovation to create purposeful learning for a meaningful life. The SXD Lab is an Ontario innovation hub that tackles some of the most complex problems facing post-secondary education today. The focus is exclusively on student-led innovation because students have histo...