Labour Market Value of Micro-credentials with a Focus on Youth Employment
Under Decent Jobs for Youth and Generation Unlimited’s YouthForesight partnership, the ILO led joint research with UNICEF on the topic of micro-credentials and their labour market value with a special focus on youth employment.
About
Under Decent Jobs for Youth and Generation Unlimited’s YouthForesight partnership, the ILO led joint research with UNICEF on the topic of micro-credentials and their labour market value, with a special focus on youth employment. With the rapid expansion of online learning accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for micro-credentials by individuals and enterprises and their offer by education and training providers seems to be increasing. The objective of this research was to review existing characterizations of micro-credentials and develop a working definition for the ILO and UNICEF for the purposes of the research. It also explored challenges and opportunities presented by micro- credentials to facilitate labour market transitions, including from informal to formal markets and access to decent work opportunities for young people. The research investigated the extent to which micro- credentials are recognised and valued by employers and young people and facilitate transitions of young people into and within the labour market.
Objective
The objective of the research was to take stock of existing definitions, practices, and functions of micro- credentials, and study their labour market value and limitations for transitions into and within the labour market, with a focus on young people. In particular, the research explored to what extent perspectives and expectations of micro-credentials held by employers (labour demand), young people, and labour market institutions, including employment services, are consistent with the offerings by education and training providers (labour supply). It addressed the potential challenges and opportunities associated with micro-credentials, with specific regional and country level examples to the extent possible, particularly in low- and middle-income contexts.
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