Regional workshop in Pacific on design of micro-credentials for TVET

Re-posted from Commonwealth of Learning website | 03 Sep, 2024

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Micro-credentials are increasingly becoming the choice for curriculum delivery, especially at the post-secondary level of education. The Commonwealth of Learning (COL), in collaboration with the Pacific Centre for Flexible and Open Learning for Development (PACFOLD), recently hosted a regional workshop on the design of micro-credentials aligned to the Pacific TVET Online Toolkit. The workshop was held at the University of South Pacific (USP) in Suva, Fiji.  This activity is part of a project on open, distance and flexible learning in the Pacific, supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, New Zealand.

During her opening remarks, Dr Rajni Kaushal Chand, Director: PACFOLD, noted that participants in attendance from Commonwealth small island countries in the region demonstrated a strong grasp of the framework for micro-credentials in their TVET programmes, showing both deep knowledge and the ability to apply it effectively. She also mentioned that it was gratifying to observe their thorough understanding of the TVET Practitioner Toolkit, its value and the potential impact of micro-credentials.

Mr Vilitati Togavou, Manager e-Learning at the Ministry of Education, Heritage and the Arts, Fiji and COL’s Focal Point, explained that utilising the resources in the TVET online toolkit will improve practitioners’ skills and knowledge, providing a more comprehensive and interactive learning experience. Ms Ikatonga Hingano, Quality Assurance Officer at the Pacific Community (SPC)’s Educational Quality and Assessment Programme, said that “SPC’s initiative on accreditation of short courses fills an important gap in the enhancement of the quality of education and training in the region. The resources provided on the Toolkit will support TVET providers in delivery as well as developing their application for accreditation.”

Mr Robert Okinda, COL Adviser: Skills, acknowledged the challenges in the TVET sector and emphasised the use of open learning approaches for unstructured continuous professional development of TVET practitioners. He underscored the importance of the regional and national qualification bodies in recognising and accrediting credentials earned through these learning methods.

At the end of the four-day workshop, participants were expected to build on their existing knowledge of micro-credentials and develop a framework and set of micro-credentials, along with strategies for piloting, administering, recognising, accrediting, and applying these for the professional development of TVET practitioners, using the Online Toolkit’s micro-learning resources.

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