Micro-Qualifications

Today's  workers  must continuously upskill themselves to keep in pace with the demands of the fast-evolving world of work. The automation and technological disruption have forced work places in the region to adapt, resulting in the need for new skills. The COVID-19 pandemic has only served to exacerbate this as the region races to adapt to the new modalities of work. For the region's education systems, the challenge to continuously review and update courses are even more steep.

This is why micro-qualifications or accredited short courses are increasingly seen as the solution. While short courses or trainings are already offered by many education institutions and workplaces, these are not the same as micro-qualifications for several reasons. Micro-qualifications have an assessment component that allows students to demonstrate their competence in the skills being learned. Industry input into the creation of a micro-qualification ensures the targeted learning is relevant and of a high standard.

The units of assessed learning in a micro-qualification are significantly smaller than the traditional forms of accredited learning, like diplomas or degrees. These units can either be stand-alone units or can contribute to a degree qualification, thus allowing learners more flexibility and pathways toward higher education.

EQAP is the first Pacific quality assurance agency to accredit micro-qualifications. The service was pursued after several education agencies raised the need. The initiative began in 2018 after EQAP successfully pitched to pilot three regional micro-qualifications. These micro-qualifications are now being delivered by approved higher education institutes and work places.