Ontario actually has a good, detailed qualifications framework which covers learning well below the degree level. This could have been used as the basis of a really good micro-credentials policy; instead, Ontario chose to ignore the qualifications framework completely when developing its micro-credential policy. Instead of requiring institutions to be transparent about the length and level of credentials, there is some wooly stuff about adhering to “harmonized skills and competency language” which will be “aligned with a common competency framework such as ESCO (European Skills, Competences and Occupations)”. This is frankly bananas because no one in Ontario really has any idea what ESCO is, nor is there any alternative “harmonized competency language”, and nor as far as I can tell is there any actual intention to develop one. Read more
Alex Usher. The word “micro-credential”, precisely because remains relatively undefined, is absolute catnip to politicians. It’s tabula rasa: you can tell politicians the word means damn near anything and not only will they believe you, but no one can contradict you because no one can contradict you. Here is a list of things at least one provincial education minister/ministry appears to believe about micro-credentials.
