Universities to offer new microcredentials to fill skills gaps

The federal government today announced support for the design and delivery of up to 28 microcredential courses from 18 universities to help meet critical skills needs in priority industries.

The 28 courses were selected from more than 90 applications to the first round of the government’s Microcredentials Pilot in Higher Education programme.

A total of $18.5 million will be provided to support the development of the courses in priority areas including IT, engineering, science, health, and education.

The Minister for Education Jason Clare (pictured) said: “Microcredentials can help Australians upskill and reskill to prepare for the jobs of the future.

“This pilot means more Australians can get the skills in areas we need, such as teaching, nursing, and engineering.”

Microcredentials are short, focused courses in a specific area of study, designed to teach and upskill learners with targeted, job-relevant skills.

The pilot programme is part of the government’s efforts to boost skills including the launch of a MicroCred Seeker platform which features 425 microcredential courses from 56 registered providers.

The government will now engage with successful universities to finalise grant arrangements, with a second round of funding planned within the next 12 months.

The Minister for Education Jason Clare said: “Microcredentials can help Australians upskill and reskill to prepare for the jobs of the future.

“This pilot means more Australians can get the skills in areas we need, such as teaching, nursing, and engineering.”

Microcredentials Pilot in Higher Education recipients (national priority field, institution, subject):

Education, Australian Catholic University – Maths iSTEM
Education, Australian Catholic University – Science iSTEM
Education, Australian Catholic University – Phonics: Theory, research, differentiated instruction, and assessment
Natural and Physical Sciences, Central Queensland University – Food Science: Fermentation for Food and Beverage Product Development
Education, Charles Darwin University – The Pedagogy of Indigenous Knowledge Sharing through Creative and Cultural Practices
Health, Charles Sturt University – Fundamentals of Nuclear Science and Safety
Engineering and Related Technology, Curtin University – Net Zero Engineering Fundamentals
Information Technology, Curtin University – Infonet Security
Health, La Trobe University – Professional Certificate in Rural Nursing
Engineering and Related Technology, Murdoch University – Certificate in Strategic Decarbonisation Management
Information Technology, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT University) – Cyber Security Foundations for Business Professionals
Education, Southern Cross University – Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching Mathematics for Out-Of-Field Teachers
Natural and Physical Sciences, The University of Western Australia – Einsteinian Physics for School Teachers
Natural and Physical Sciences, The University of Western Australia – Using R: Environmental and Agriculture Applications
Education, University of Canberra – Professional Certificate in Education (Adaptive Educational Leadership)
Education, University of Canberra – Professional Certificate in Education (Science of Learning)
Education, University of Canberra – Professional Certificate in Education (Middle School Leadership)
Engineering and Related Technology, University of New South Wales – Hydrogen Production for Electrical Engineers
Information Technology, University of South Australia – Professional Certificate in IT and Cloud Fundamentals
Engineering and Related Technology, University of Southern Queensland – Drone Mapping and Navigation Systems
Engineering and Related Technology, University of Southern Queensland – GIS for Professionals
Engineering and Related Technology, University of Tasmania – Timber Design for Residential Construction
Health, University of Tasmania – Cyber Security for Digital Health
Health, University of Tasmania – Digital Management for Health and Social Care
Engineering and Related Technology, University of Technology Sydney – Building Information Modelling (BIM) course
Information Technology, University of the Sunshine Coast – Inclusive Digital Design for Business
Health, Western Sydney University – Applied Disease Outbreak Management
And Natural and Physical Sciences, – Western Sydney University – Foundations of Environmental Sustainability.