Micro-Credentials and Digital Badging
Yavapai College’s Micro-Credentials and Digital Badging are designed to offer you targeted education in skills sought by employers. These short, focused programs are designed to meet specific industry needs, providing you with relevant skills that can be immediately applied in the workforce.
What is a Micro-Credential?
A Micro-Credential shows that you've learned and can apply a specific skill or area of knowledge. Unlike traditional degrees or certifications, Micro-Credentials are typically earned through single courses, workshops, or training programs. You'll often complete projects or assessments to demonstrate what you've learned. Micro-Credentials help you build skills for career growth, professional development, or job advancement, and they can be offered by schools or industry organizations.
Benefits of Micro-Credentials include:
- Targeted skill development
- Enhanced career opportunities
- Recognize and validate learning
- Flexible learning paths
- Can be shared digitally on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn
What are Digital Badges?
Some Micro-Credentials have a Digital Badge or certificate to recognize your accomplishments. The Digital Badge is evidence that you've mastered the skills or knowledge at the level identified by the Micro-Credential. It includes details about the skills you gained, who issued the badge, and what you had to do to earn it. You can share Digital Badges online on your resume, social media, or professional profiles to highlight your skills.
Yavapai College awards Digital Badges for academic Micro-Credentials, professional development courses, and training programs. Each badge has a unique design that represents the achievement.
How do I earn Micro-Credentials?
Yavapai College students and community members earn Micro-Credentials by completing training, programs, or courses that offer Digital Badges.
1. Learn and Earn
- Choose your training, program, or course and complete the requirements to earn your Digital Badge.
2. Claim Your Badge
- Once you've earned your badge, you'll get an email from Canvas Credentials with steps to create your account, claim your badge, and share it.
3. Show It Off
- Share your Digital Badge with employers on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, in your email signature, or on your digital resume to highlight your new skills.
Why share my Digital Badge?
Yavapai College Digital Badges are a great way to show off your skills and achievements, whether you're starting your career, moving up in your field, or trying something new. These badges are verified and easy to share, making it simple to prove what you know.
Your Digital Badges are issued through Canvas Credentials and represent accomplishments that employers value and trust. When employers click on your badge, they can see exactly what skills you learned and what you did to earn it—helping you stand out in the job market.
Yavapai College’s Micro-Credentials and Digital Badging is designed to offer you targeted education to enhance your skills in specific industry areas. These short, focused programs are tailored to meet the evolving needs of employers, providing you with relevant skills that can be immediately applied in the workforce.
Yavapai College Badges - All Yavapai College badges can be found here
A micro-credential demonstrates competency in a specific skill or knowledge area. Unlike traditional degrees or certifications, micro-credentials are typically earned through short courses, workshops, or training programs and often involve completing assessments, projects, or practical applications. They are commonly used for professional development, skill enhancement, or career advancement and may be issued by educational institutions, industry organizations, or employers.
A digital badge is the evidence of a micro-credential. It serves as a digital representation of the achievement, containing information that verifies the skills acquired, the issuing organization, and the criteria met. Digital badges can be shared online, such as on professional profiles, resumes, or social media, to showcase verified competencies.
Badge Categories
- Provides targeted skill development
- Enhances career opportunities
- Recognizes and validates specific skillsets
- Offers flexible learning options
- Can be shared digitally for easy verification, including social media