What Are Micro-credentials?
A micro-credential (MC) has two aspects: the educational program itself, and the certification of the learning achieved through that program.
JMICRO adopts the following definition, based on UNESCO’s work, as a definition of micro-credentials that does not depend on any particular country or region.
This definition is important as a condition for micro-credentials to be recognized and to circulate not only in Japan but around the world.
- A record of focused learning achievement that verifies what the learner knows, understands or can do.
- Includes assessment based on clearly defined criteria, and is awarded by a trusted provider.
- Has standalone value, and may also constitute a part of, or complement, other micro-credentials or macro-credentials (including recognition of prior learning).
- Meets the standards required by the relevant quality assurance.
UNESCO, Towards a common definition of micro-credentials,
https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000381668, 2022, accessed 2023-2-7
Micro-credentials are a common framework for certifying learning outcomes that allows the outcomes of the diverse learning offered by universities, companies, private training providers and others to be compared, accumulated and used from a learner-centered perspective.
They do not negate the university certificate programs or the Business Practical Skills Development Program (BP). Rather, they are a way of organizing the outcomes of such programs so that society can more easily understand and evaluate them in situations such as recruitment, promotion and improvement of treatment. They are also promoted internationally by UNESCO, the OECD and others, and we will continue to consider them in Japan as a foundation that supports lifelong learning and career development.
