Twenty-five higher education providers have been approved to deliver 48 new microcredentials under Round 2 of the Microcredentials Pilot in Higher Education.
The $18.5 million pilot is assisting higher education providers to deliver microcredentials in the priority areas of education, health, IT, engineering and sciences – in partnership with industry.
Under Round 1, 18 Table A universities were successful for a share of $2 million in funding to design microcredentials. They will also receive a share of the remaining $16.5 million for delivering the course to students*.
Round 2 provides funding to Table A, and B providers, and non-university higher education providers to support the delivery of microcredentials, including those developed as part of Round 1*.
Students enrolled in microcredential courses funded under the pilot will be eligible for FEE-HELP assistance.
A microcredential is a short course in a specific area of study, providing students with the opportunity to upskill to suit their immediate work needs or future career goals.
Paolo Meyer recently completed an Inclusive Digital Design for Business microcredential and said “The course I undertook was of exceptional quality, captivating my interest and providing a solid foundation for connecting with individuals living with disability. Despite the challenges of balancing work and family life with children, the course proved immensely rewarding, affirming that the effort invested was truly worthwhile”.
Microcredentials give students an opportunity to be more selective and targeted about acquiring new skills to increase their employability. They can also provide flexibility to students already in the workforce and those managing caring and family responsibilities who may not be able to commit to a full qualification.
Shorter forms of training are becoming increasingly important to equip learners with skills to work in specific fields.
The pilot is creating more opportunities for Australians to get the skills they need to respond to existing or emerging workforce needs.
For further information, visit Microcredentials Pilot in Higher Education.
*Higher Education providers eligible are listed at Appendix A of the Frequently Asked Questions.