Assessment Insights in January ??
Welcome to our January newsletter! The new year signals fresh opportunities and motivation for growth. For many, staying relevant at work and achieving professional goals requires updating their skills regularly. This presents a unique opportunity for educational institutions. By embracing micro-credentialing and integrating these flexible credentials into their programs, institutions can empower learners with the precise skills needed to thrive in the modern workforce.?
The 2024 State of Credentialing Report from Accredible provides a comprehensive picture of how the credentialing industry is performing today and what to expect in 2025 and beyond.
In a nutshell, learners are increasingly turning to non-traditional options like certifications, bootcamps, and short courses to complement degrees or acquire new skills. Meanwhile, employers are shifting focus to skills and continuous learning, rather than degrees alone, to address skills gaps and build diverse teams.
Verifiable proof of skills is emerging as the new currency. For credential issuers, this presents a significant opportunity: over 90% of learners plan to take more courses and actively seek recommendations from their providers.
Why Digital Credentials are Driving Success
According to the report, credential issuers are increasingly turning to digital credentials to enhance their programs and achieve their goals. A recent study found that 93% of issuers now offer digital credentials, and for good reason. These issuers report significant benefits, including:
These advantages translate to real results.? 94% of issuers who have adopted digital credentials report positive business outcomes, including greater learner engagement, higher course completion rates, and increased referrals. It's clear that digital credentials are a powerful tool for driving success in the credentialing industry.
Motivated Learners
Most learners (84%) take courses to achieve specific goals, such as earning more money, gaining certification, securing a promotion, landing a new job, or meeting degree requirements.
At the same time, many pursue courses to continuously develop new skills. Notably, 92% of surveyed learners plan to take another credentialed course within the next two years.
Digital credentials are highly valued—96% of recipients see them as beneficial to their careers, and 78% believe they improve their chances of receiving a job offer.
What Learners are Looking for in Courses
Learners rely on multiple channels to find courses or certifications, with 44% using online search, 36% through word of mouth or referrals, and 34% via industry events. This highlights the importance of a multichannel marketing strategy for issuers. Referrals, while reported by only 36%, often occur indirectly—such as through shared badges, certificates, or social media posts.
When choosing courses, learners prioritise time commitment (61%), cost (59%), and quality compared to similar options (48%). However, many issuers lack data on learner engagement: only 34% track content popularity, 25% monitor learner engagement, 24% measure completion times, and just 14% identify drop-off points—missing opportunities to refine their programmes.
Learners also value structured learning pathways (97%) and hands-on projects or assessments (92%). Yet, only 29% of issuers offer pathways, and just 34% include practical components, leaving significant room for improvement.
Awards and Recognition for Learners
When examining what learners value most in credentials, digital credentials clearly stand out. Learners prioritise credentials that:
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They also seek additional metadata that digital credentials provide, such as:
However, a gap remains between learner preferences and what issuers currently offer, highlighting opportunities for improvement.
Is Sharing Credentials Still Relevant??
Two-thirds of learners share their credentials, with 93% finding it easy. Motivation plays a key role—those who share often do so because their employer values credentials, while over half of non-sharers see no reason to share.
Learners primarily share credentials on their resumes and LinkedIn, but they want flexibility to share across platforms. While 71% of issuers email credentials, only a third follow up with reminders to open or share them. Few issuers send credential expiration warnings (23%), course recommendations (19%), or incentives for future courses (17%), missing key opportunities for re-engagement and revenue growth.
Additionally, 44% of issuers don’t recognise learners who share credentials, and only 13% track referrals from shared credentials. This highlights a major opportunity to engage learners post-course and build brand advocates.
The European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (Cedefop) has recently released a comprehensive report titled “Microcredentials for labour market education and training: The added value for end users.” The report thoroughly examines the impact and potential of microcredential programs in the labour market, offering valuable insights for educators, policymakers, and learners alike.
Establishing Trust in Microcredential Programs
The Cedefop report underscores the necessity of trust in microcredentials for their effective integration into the educational ecosystem. It points out that trust is largely influenced by the credibility and reputation of the institutions offering these credentials. The study therefore emphasises the need for rigorous quality assurance measures to ensure that microcredentials align with current industry standards, thereby enhancing their value and acceptance in the labour market.
Supporting Learner Engagement in Microcredentials
Another key finding of the report is the importance of providing adequate support to learners pursuing microcredential programs. This support encompasses guidance and counselling to help learners navigate the complexities of microcredentials, especially in areas where their value and comparability might be unclear. Such measures are vital for encouraging learner engagement and maximising the benefits of microcredentials in vocational education.
Microcredential Programs & Age-Neutral Learning
The report also highlights the significant role of microcredentials in facilitating age-neutral training and learning. It reveals how these credentials offer flexible learning pathways, catering to a diverse range of learners, including those already in the workforce or those seeking new career opportunities. The adaptability of microcredentials makes them an effective tool for lifelong learning, responding to the evolving needs of both the job market and individual learners.
With the emergence of new technologies like AI, the urgency to adapt quickly to the rapidly changing job market has never been greater. Microcredential programs, as highlighted in the Cedefop report, offer an essential solution with their flexible and focused approach to skill development. For testing organisations, the time is now to innovate and implement strategies that align with these changes.?
Until next time, happy testing!