Micro-credentials

What is a micro-credential?

A micro-credential certifies achievement of a coherent set of skills and knowledge and is specified by a statement of purpose, learning outcomes and strong evidence of need by industry, employers, iwi and the community.

They are smaller than a qualification and focus on skill development opportunities not currently catered for in the tertiary education system.

Click here to register for a new micro-credential.

Advantages

• NZQA approved and quality assured
• Formal recognition of achievement
• Can be put on a learner’s NZQA Record of Achievement
• May attract some funding from TEC
• Allows for small, succinct blocks of skills or knowledge
• May be completed in a short space of time, in a variety of ways
• May be stacked to lead to a qualification
• Can be any level, five to 40 credits in size.

Challenges

• Can take some time to develop – depending on the size of the micro-credential, this could take 6 months or more
• Learning outcomes must be assessed, with records being kept for quality assurance
• Must be reviewed every one to three years
• Must go through an NZQA approval process
• Funding from TEC is not guaranteed and is done separately
• May not always be financially viable to deliver for small numbers of learners.

Who develops and delivers micro-credentials?

Micro-credentials can only be developed by NZQA, workforce development councils or registered education providers (for example Te Pūkenga, wānanga and schools).

Delivery of a micro-credential can only be by (or in partnership with) an NZQA-registered education or training provider. Workforce development councils do not deliver micro-credentials.

Toi Mai Ohu Ahumahi support for micro-credentials

Providers developing micro-credentials in one of our sectors are required to seek support from us before submitting their application to NZQA. Click here to register for a new micro-credential.