by CLAIRE FIELD

While some have described it as “the framework you have when you’re not having a framework,” it is a solid piece of work

Last week the Department of Education, Skills and Employment released a new National Microcredentials Framework and while some have described it as “the framework you have when you’re not having a framework,” I think it is a solid piece of work.

The Framework draws on existing regulatory standards, e.g. the Australian Qualifications Framework, the Tertiary Education Quality Standards Agency Act, the Higher Education Standards Framework, and TEQSA’s Guidance Note for credit and recognition of prior learning, the National VET Regulator Act and the Standards for RTOs.

That means that the new Framework does not attempt to duplicate or override existing standards and frameworks providers are familiar with.

It also does not impose any obligations on providers to apply standards to non-award courses. If you currently offer non-accredited courses and wish to continue to offer them “as is,” you are welcome to do so.

The Framework involves micro-credential developers meeting the following requirements:

* Include clear learning outcomes

* a preference for providers to draw on the Australian Core Skills Framework if offering foundation or general capabilities

* must include assessment(s) of the learning outcomes

* must stipulate volume of learning and comprise at least one hour of learning

* if the micro-credential is not credit bearing, developers should consider signifying the mastery achieved by completing the credential

* clearly specify industry recognition (where applicable)

* clearly specify credit-recognition (where applicable)

* Where issuing authorities are not involved with the micro-credential, providers must include a statement of quality assurance.

With the Framework now in place, the next steps for providers are the formal process of credentialling student learning outcomes and advertising these credentials to potential students.

The creation of the new Microcredentials Marketplace which UAC is developing with funding from DESE, and the new National Credentials Platform (being developed by UAC and HES with funding from DESE) will assist with greater uptake of micro-credentials.

And when it comes to credentialling, the fact that the new National Credentials Platform draws on the work that Australian and New Zealand universities have led through their My eQuals platform means we are not starting from scratch in these endeavours but instead using My eQuals’ proven technology which has so far issued credentials to 1.8 million users.

The universities have made a significant investment in the platform and are to be commended for being so farsighted, as well as for now inviting other providers to also use it.

 Claire was joined on the latest episode of the What now? What next? podcast by Jay Segeth and Daniel Hibbert to discuss the My eQuals platform and how it is positioned for the future. Listen online or in your favourite podcast app