The value of microcredentials: The employer's perspective

Abstract

Background

Competency-based hiring is beginning to catch on as employers insist on having a clearer understanding of an applicant's abilities before extending an offer of employment. Microcredentialing offers employees a mechanism to articulate their competency, and they offer employers a profound way to certify an applicant's abilities.

Purpose

To seek an understanding of the value of a microcredentialing structure through employer perspectives. The central research question is, do employers see value in a postsecondary micro-credentialing structure?

Method

This qualitative case study uses Skill Acquisition Theory and cultivated twenty-two industry professionals from various sectors, primarily from the early childhood education industry.

Results

Several themes emerged from the data: The industry is not satisfied with employee skills, competency is the new currency, seat time does not equal education, a policy for issuing and securing microcredentials is necessary.

Discussion

Employers were questioning the validity of a college transcript and suggested that applicants present microcredentials for key employment elements along with their transcript to certify further their ability to apply knowledge and skills.

Conclusions

It is concluded that microcredentials would be beneficial to the holder and employers. To increase the value of these credentials, the participants suggested using a registry to track and report microcredentials earned. It was further concluded that institutions need to develop governing rules for issuing a microcredential, rules similar to those governing transcripts to ascertain and protect the validity of the credential.