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Micro-credentials barely existed as recently as two years ago, but now they're drawing surging attention from educa- tors, students, government and industry. Nobody has settled on exactly how to define them, and so far, only a few institu- tions in Canada offer or recognize them. That's changing quickly. In February, the B.C. and federal governments announced $4 million to fund short-duration educa- tion programs at 15 postsecondary schools throughout the province. Those classes will add to the scattering of micro-creden- tials that started in the past year or two at public universities and colleges, including Royal Roads University, Thompson Rivers University, SFU, UBC, and Vancouver Community College. Each institution approaches these programs in their own way. Some micro-credentials are designed for advanced learners like Kolb, who already have education and skills and want to upgrade with cheaper and less time-consuming packages. Others are for students still in university, college or below, to deliver and recognize smaller chunks of knowledge or competencies they've acquired. A learner might earn a digital badge for HTML skills, for example, and be able to combine it with other micro-credentials for course credit. Economic necessity—especially among adult learners—is driv- ing students and educators toward micro-credentialling. The pan- demic is accelerating that push, as workers find themselves in need of upgraded skills to maintain their careers or transition to a new one. Emilie de Rosenroll is founding CEO of the South Island Small Steps MICRO-CREDENTIAL STACKABLE TOWARD A DEGREE? GOOD FOR Alacrity Canada digital No Quick up-skilling or re-skilling for marketing bootcamp early or midcareer workers Vancouver Community College/UBC/ No Industry-recognized technical skills Microsoft Canada Skills Program working with Microsoft Azure MITx MicroMasters/ Royal Roads MBA Affordable, flexible entry to Royal Royal Roads University MBA Roads MBA programs Royal Roads professional studies Some courses can earn credit Up-skilling for midcareer toward a Royal Roads MBA managers UVic professional development No Up-skilling for midcareer workers micro-credentials and managers Thompson Rivers University/ Open TRU bachelor's degree credits Affordable, flexible entry to Education Resource universitas (OERu) TRU diplomas and degrees SFU FASS Forward SFU bachelor's degree credits Practical skills for SFU students BCIT/VIU Essentials of Natural Resource VIU bachelor's degree credits Entry to resource management; up- and Environmental Protection (MENREP) skilling for pros in engineering or policy Camosun College Advanced Skills for Stackable toward Camosun certificate Up-skilling in cleantech for building Clean Energy and Efficient Buildings professionals Langara College Advanced No Government-funded up-skilling for Administrative Assistant (AAA) certificate immigrant and racialized women University Canada West No Practical skills for new Learning4Success workshop badges UCW students Looking to add a micro-credential to your name? Here's what schools across the province are offering 16 BCBUSINESS APRIL 2021