The Status of Microcredentials in Canadian Colleges and Institutes

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National framework for microcredentials

With more and more Canadians looking to colleges and institutes for upskilling and reskilling opportunities, microcredentials have never been in such high demand, or so important to Canada’s economy.

They can be incredibly varied however, with different approaches and programs on offer across the country. That is why we created a national framework to offer a standard definition and guiding principles that help educators create nimble and responsive micro-credentials that meet high quality standards and help learners choose the right credential for them.

A microcredential is a certification of assessed competencies that is additional, alternate, complementary to, or a component of a formal qualification.

  1. Microcredentials can be a complement to traditional credentials (certificate, diploma, degree or post-graduate certificate) or stand alone.
  2. Microcredentials are subject to a robust and rigorous quality assurance process.
  3. Microcredentials should represent competencies identified by employers/industry sectors to meet employer needs.
  4. Microcredentials may provide clear and seamless pathways across different credentials (both non-credit and credit) and may be stackable.
  5. Microcredentials are based on assessed proficiency of a competency, not on time spent learning.
  6. Microcredentials are secure, trackable, portable and competency is documented in students’ academic records.
  7. Microcredentials are to follow institutional approval processes.

Initial work on the definition and the guiding principles was conducted by a special committee of Vice-Presidents, Academic, representing colleges and institutes from across Canada. After consulting with members, employers and other stakeholders, a consensus was reached that is supported by all the regional associations representing colleges and institutes:

Colleges and institutes offering microcredentials

Province:
Algonquin College
Assiniboine Community College
Bow Valley College
British Columbia Institute of Technology
Cambrian College of Applied Arts and Technology
Camosun College
Canadore College of Applied Arts and Technology
Cégep de La Pocatière
Cégep de Lévis
Cégep de Rivière-du-Loup
Cégep de Shawinigan
Cégep de Sherbrooke
Centennial College
Coast Mountain College
Collège communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick
Collège de Rosemont
College of New Caledonia
College of the North Atlantic (CNA)
Conestoga College
Dalhousie Agricultural Campus of Dalhousie University
Durham College
Fanshawe College of Applied Arts and Technology
First Nations Technical Institute
Fleming College
George Brown College
Georgian College of Applied Arts and Technology
Humber College
Keyano College
Lakeland College
Lambton College
Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology
Medicine Hat College
Mohawk College
New Brunswick Community College
NorQuest College
North Island College
Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT)
Northern College
Okanagan College
Olds College
Portage College
Red River College Polytechnic
SAIT
Sault College
Seneca College of Applied Arts and Technology
Sheridan College
St. Lawrence College
Université Sainte-Anne
University of the Fraser Valley