Education Ministry Endorses UCJ’s Micro Credentials Push

The Ministry of Education and Youth is in support of the plan by the University Council of Jamaica (UCJ) to expand opportunities for post-secondary education through the implementation of micro credentials.

Micro credentials are a series or collection of specially designed courses that result in certification.

They demonstrate the learner’s skills, knowledge, and/or experience in a specific subject area or capability.

State Minister, Hon. Marsha Smith, said the “Ministry is very much interested in expanding access to tertiary education and post-secondary training especially within the context of our current efforts to transform the education sector for national development”.

“The need for continuous learning and acquisition of new skills is more crucial than ever, and micro credentials offer a way for individuals to stay relevant in their fields and demonstrate their competencies in a tangible way. Many of our institutions have already responded with the agility needed to help students in their training and we want to encourage more of this,” she added.

Miss Smith was speaking at the University Council of Jamaica’s 19th Annual Quality Assurance in Higher Education Awareness Week Webinar on Tuesday (March 12).

It was held under the theme ‘Empowering Higher Education Institutions to Respond to Changing Market Needs’, with the subtheme: ‘Enhancing recognition and lifelong learning in Jamaica: Micro credentials and beyond’.

The focus was on how tertiary institutions can implement micro credentials in their programme selections to make their institutions more marketable and meet the greater demand for qualification globally while adhering to the UCJ’s standards and guidelines.

The Education State Minister said that as the global business environment changes, more people are required to possess skillsets but remain uncertified because of gaps in programme structures.

She said that the implementation of micro-credential courses will foster the growth of the workforce and create new career paths relevant to changing times.

Executive Director of the UCJ, Althea Heron, said the forum addresses the need for information on flexible learning pathways for individuals to access higher education and gain opportunities to support lifelong learning.

“This presents a pivotal opportunity for the UCJ to continue to play its role in nation-building and driving economic growth by ensuring that Jamaica’s higher education system remains agile, relevant and responsive to technological advancements, the emergence of novel industries and the shifting expectations of workers,” said Mrs. Heron.

She added that the demand for micro credentials has been at peak interest since 2020.

Micro credentials, she added, have become a prime choice of certification for the workplace and are a good way of valuing certification obtained whether formally or informally.

A second webinar was held on Wednesday (March 13), under the theme ‘Perspectives on excellence: Applying standards to address qualifications in institutions’, which focused on the consistency of evaluating academic qualifications across various grading systems globally.

For more information on Quality Assurance in Higher Education Awareness Week activities and how to register to participate, persons may call the UCJ at 876-618-4267 or visit the website at www.ucj.org.jm.