Lessons Learned from a Microcredential in Advanced Computing

ACENET launched a Microcredential in Advanced Computing pilot program teaching industry-relevant technical skills to enable participants to upskill or reskill and take advantage of career opportunities in the growing tech sector. The program involved developing new curriculum and instruction materials, creating a microcredential framework, establishing an industry advisory group, incorporating authentic assessments, setting an independent study project, and implementing a learning management system (LMS). The intent from the outset was to incorporate the program into ACENET's regular training, thus mechanisms were employed with both participants and instructors for ongoing feedback and evaluation. Based on these and the predominantly positive final course evaluation by participants, ACENET concluded that the pilot was a success, albeit with some opportunities for improvement. These opportunities were in: content presentation; maintaining participant motivation; independent study project guidance and boundaries; and, the curriculum. ACENET has thus incorporated changes to the program and will be offering the revised version to a wider audience in 2025.