Career outcomes are a top decision-making factor for students selecting their higher education institution. Enhancing curricula to better align with in-demand skills used by today’s employers is therefore a top priority for higher education institutions.
Industry micro-credentials, such as Professional Certificates offered through Coursera’s Career Academy, are emerging as a favored solution for bridging the curriculum-to-career gap. These certificates are designed to equip students with the specific skills needed for in-demand, entry-level jobs, particularly in digital roles.
Why Industry Micro-Credentials Matter
- Student-Centric: Coursera’s recent survey shows that students are 76% more likely to enroll in a program offering industry micro-credentials.
- Employer-Approved: The same survey found that 88% of employers agree that Professional Certificates add value to a candidate’s job application.
Global Success Stories: A Quick Look
Many higher education institutions around the world are successfully integrating industry micro-credentials into their curriculum and positively impacting student engagement, employability, and institutional outcomes.
Oulu University of Applied Sciences (OAMK) in Finland began offering Professional Certificates from Coursera as part of a program revamp for career-oriented learning. The certificates are available to students as for-credit electives during their first three years. Since launching, more than 1,300 enrolled students have taken more than 10,000 lessons from the certificates.
Lakshmi Narain College of Technology (LNCT) in India offers Professional Certificates as non-credit options for students through the career services office. Their focus is on in-demand roles such as software engineering and data science. LNCT graduates that have earned Professional Certificates credit their experience with helping them start “dream careers.”
Implementation Options
As validated by the global success stories, industry micro-credentials can be implemented in a flexible manner. Platforms like Coursera’s Career Academy offer a ready-made solution, allowing the University of Szeged to offer Professional Certificates from industry leaders like Google, Meta, IBM, and Salesforce.
With demand for job skills at an all-time high, industry micro-credentials offer a win-win solution for both students and higher education institutions. They not only enhance the value of traditional degree programs but also prepare students for the real-world challenges they will face in the job market.
