Appetite for industry-aligned micro-credentials—among learners entering the workforce and employers seeking skilled candidates—is nearly universal, according to a new report from Coursera.
The online academic program provider surveyed over 1,000 employers and learners, capturing perspectives across six regions and 10 countries.
Globally, more than 90% of employers say that their employees with micro-credentials demonstrate higher proficiency in industry-relevant skills than those without and that the credentials are immediately applicable to job roles.
More from UB: Confidence in credentials see growth among current and former students
Nearly all (95%) employees across North America agreed that employees with micro-credentials demonstrate higher proficiency in essential, industry-relevant skills.
In the United States, 96% of American employers say micro-credentials strengthen a candidate’s application, and nine out of 10 are willing to offer higher salaries to employees who possess these credentials. The majority also stated that they’re saving up to 20% on training costs for entry-level hires who join their teams with relevant skill sets.
“Employer demand for skills-based hiring requires educators to prioritize skills-based learning,” said Francesca Lockhart, professor and cybersecurity clinic program lead at the University of Texas at Austin. “We must adapt our curricula to prepare students for a job market where desired qualifications are shifting too quickly for traditional education to keep pace.”
Demand for credit-bearing micro-credentials
One in three U.S. students surveyed have already earned a micro-credential, which may come as no surprise, seeing that 80% believe earning one will help them succeed on the job.
Offering micro-credentials that align with an institution’s degree programs or that upskill learners in generative AI could significantly boost enrollment, the report suggests. U.S. students reported being three-and-a-half times more likely to enroll in a degree program when they’re credit-bearing or cover genAI.
Nearly all (98%) U.S. students want micro-credentials offered for academic credit; globally, students are twice as likely to remain engaged in such a program.
