Enhancing the recognition of non-formal skills for young people in Eastern and Southern Africa through the innovation of micro-credentials

About

This project, commissioned by UNICEF, forms part of a larger project to investigate current micro-credential projects and initiatives in Burundi, South Africa and Uganda This project, commissioned by UNICEF, forms part of a larger project to investigate current micro-credential projects and initiatives in Burundi, South Africa and Uganda. The research aims to contribute towards the formulation and design of country-relevant microcredential models based on practice-focused, actionable, scalable evidence to increase the recognition of non-formal skills and thus facilitate transitions of unemployed youth into the labour market.

Objectives

The research entailed assessing the recognition and value of micro credentials among employers, informal workers and job seekers and the effectiveness of micro-credentials in aiding young people’s entry and progress within the job market. The implementation of transferable skills credentialing to meet employer demands (which are often for job-specific, technical skills) was also explored as a way to enhance the attractiveness of such credentials. The three case study countries were found to acknowledge that learning takes place not only formally, but also non-formally and informally, and that there is a need to recognise these types of learning and bridge the gap between traditional education and the ever-changing demands of the labour market. Micro-credentials are seen as a means to achieve this and to benefit the out-of-school and unemployed youth trying to transition into the formal labour market.

Resources

New Publication: Towards a micro-credential country model

Towards a micro-credential country model for South Africa

The innovation of micro-credentials: Enhancing the recognition of non-formal skills for young people