In today's announcement, Academia, creator of the largest online course-sharing platform, has released a new product that will help academic leaders access a library of over 380 online credentials aligned with the fast-changing needs of the workforce. Academia is the largest course-sharing platform used across a network of more than 460 colleges and universities.. As a result of the launch of Acadeum Skills Marketplace, participating institutions will be able to access a vetted network of credentials aligned with the workforce. By turning on an e-commerce storefront, institutions will be able to offer their current students, alumni, faculty, staff, and local employer partners a wide range of non-credit courses and credentials outside of their current curriculums and course catalogs.
As a result of the launch of Acadeum Skills Marketplace, participating institutions will be able to access a vetted network of credentials aligned with the workforce. By turning on an e-commerce storefront, institutions will be able to offer their current students, alumni, faculty, staff, and local employer partners a wide range of non-credit courses and credentials outside of their current curriculums and course catalogs.
A number of colleges and universities are struggling to ensure their students are able to compete in an increasingly fast-changing, and often volatile, labor market, according to Dr. Marjorie Hass, president of the Council of Independent Colleges. "With the addition of skills, experiences, and credentials in order to supplement degree pathways in the humanities, arts, social sciences, and sciences, students gain a holistic education and a competitive edge in the workplace."
With Acadeum Skills Marketplace launching today, there has been a surge in the demand for-and acceptance of-non-degree credentials among students and employers over the past few years. Several studies indicate that learners want more access to courses and certifications that will be relevant to their careers, but new programs are still costly and difficult for institutions to launch on their own.. There was a survey conducted by the Higher Learning Commission in 2023, which showed that nearly 73% of its institutions offered non-degree credentials, while 25% of them did so with the help of external content providers.
There was a survey conducted by the Higher Learning Commission in 2023, which showed that nearly 73% of its institutions offered non-degree credentials, while 25% of them did so with the help of external content providers.
The Acadeum network has made it easy for institutions within the network to tap into a growing catalog of non-credit offerings in order to support the growing demand for micro-credentials among students and employers - as well as assist these institutions in embedding these offerings into their curricula.. It is possible for colleges and universities to make use of Skills Marketplace to expand and offer these non-credit academic offerings and credentials to current students and alumni, as well as create return pathways for students who have stopped attending college. A number of teaching providers are participating in the initial Skills Marketplace, including MedCerts, Coursera, Pearson Certiport, and Muzzy Lane.
A number of teaching providers are participating in the initial Skills Marketplace, including MedCerts, Coursera, Pearson Certiport, and Muzzy Lane.
"Meeting today's evolving workforce needs and skill demands requires a new set of pathways that can weave together a number of education and learning experiences," said Rafaeil Castañeda, Senior Vice President of Strategic Partnerships & Workforce Development at MedCerts. "This is an exciting opportunity for colleges, employers, and certification providers to collaborate and meet learners where they are -- provide flexible and validated opportunities to career success."

Source prnewswire