06 November 2017
With technology rapidly changing the way people work, employers are increasingly seeking new ways to develop a skilled and adaptable workforce.
While formal qualifications will always have a valuable place, new options are on the rise – micro-credentials, or nano degrees, that allow learners to upskill without completing a lengthy programme.
The New Zealand government introduced three pilot projects in August, and the micro-credential format is expected to play a major role in education systems in coming years, both here and overseas.
At Competenz, a range of Microlearning online courses and hands-on workshops have been designed to help businesses remain competitive.
Chief executive Fiona Kingsford says: “The nature of work is changing, and it’s changing rapidly. The companies we work with have told us they need bite-sized learning tailored to their industries.
“Some businesses are not ready to commit to a full apprenticeship, or they have qualified apprentices interested in gaining additional skills in particular areas.
“We know it can be challenging for people to find time away from the business to attend formal courses, so we wanted to provide opportunities for people to learn at their own pace.”
The Microlearning courses offer a range of options for upskilling in the engineering and manufacturing industries. For example, options include job costing, understanding how electrical systems work and electrical safety, and the principles of hydraulic and pneumatic power systems.
The Color Accounting course teaches financial literacy to non-financial managers in any industry using a format that is easy to understand.
New courses are due to be launched in 2018, including one on health and safety.
Microlearning is available now in the following categories:
- Hydraulics and pneumatics
- Refrigeration and air conditioning
- General engineering
- Fabrication
- Electrical
- Electrical safety
- Welding safely
- Health and safety in wood manufacturing
- Color Accounting
