Education

WINNIPEG FREE PRESS SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT • SATURDAY, AUGUST 14, 2021 5 EDUCATION GUIDE T he global pandemic has pro- foundly affected economies around the world and pressed industry to quickly train its workforces in new modes of operation and service delivery. These demands, in turn, have opened up new opportunities for colleges, like the Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology (MITT), to respond to these labour market needs through micro-credentials. In simple terms, micro-credentials are col- lege-accredited, short-duration training op- portunities focused on developing a specific skill; at MITT, they're delivered by its Lifelong Learning team as well as its Cyber Security Centre of Excellence. Their competitive advan- tages extend to employers (micro-credentials provide rapid and responsive skill develop- ment) as well as to existing employees and new job seekers in search of lifelong learning (micro-credentials are flexible in delivery, and "stackable," meaning some can serve as build- ing blocks or credits toward other current or future MITT training programs). "The pandemic definitely created an acute need for digital and e-commerce skill sup- ports," says Ray Karasevich, MITT's president and CEO. "Micro-credentials support workers whose jobs were impacted by the pandemic, as well as helping others who want to improve their skill sets to move from one sector to an- other." Karasevich says shorter-term, market-driven training like micro-credentials is not limited to tech, and it is highly desired across the board. Drawing on its 30-plus years of close collabo- ration with industry on other post-secondary training, MITT established a micro-credential framework based on need and tasked a group of industry representatives to apply stringent quality assurance standards to each proposed training. "We are fortunate to have the invaluable in- put of our Industry Advisory Council, a group representing a good cross-section of industry partners who have been instrumental in iden- tifying industry trends and potential training opportunities," says Karasevich. The council — which includes represen- tation from a variety of industries such as tourism, construction, film, new media, manufacturing, export, supply chain and en- vironmental sector councils — subjects every micro-credential offered through MITT to rig- orous review, ensuring they meet the college's standards for education and training, as well as the current and future needs of employers. And all micro-credential training is compe- tency-based, so employers can be confident students are qualified in the skills they set out to attain. Marnie Groeneveld, director of MITT's Centre for Career Development and Lifelong Learning, oversees MITT's micro-credential program and says this quality assurance pro- cess is ongoing and bound to a set of national guidelines for micro-credentials development. She also says the college's history of indus- try collaboration has already led to dozens of micro-credentials solutions with partners on everything from customer service to cyber se- curity, manufacturing to waste and water. "There is no limit to what we can develop with industry using the micro-credential plat- form," says Groeneveld. "And because we work together, we can guarantee employers get ex- actly what they need." As for job seekers, and those who feel they are stuck in career rut, she adds that micro- credentials directly benefit people looking to develop entry-level skills to increase their em- ployability, as well as those who are already following certain career paths, but need to upgrade skills or gain new ones in order to get ahead or move on. "Time commitment is a huge consideration for someone balancing education with life," says Groeneveld. "Our micro-credentials are a great solution as they can be a few hours, a few courses or a few weeks, and taught online or in-class — whatever best fits a learner's life- style." For more information, visit mitt.ca/lifelong- learning-institute. Are you an employer interested in pursuing micro-credentials or other training partner- ship with MITT? Email: LifeLongLearning@ mitt.ca. Micro-credentials help industry, students take control of their training needs Micro-credentials support workers whose jobs were impacted by the pandemic, as well as helping others who want to improve their skill sets to move from one sector to another." — Ray Karasevich, MITT president and CEO MANITOBA INSTITUTE OF TRADES AND TECHNOLOGY SUPPLIED Industry-driven and focused on specific skill development, micro-credentials are college-accredited, short-duration training opportunities.

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