By Dr. Kiko Suarez
Huntington Junior College
If you own or manage a business today you probably struggle to find enough qualified employees to fill open positions. You’re in good company: employers today of all sizes and in nearly every industry across the country are facing unprecedented hiring challenges.
The latest data from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce shows that there are 9.6 million job openings in the United States, but only 6.4 million unemployed workers. In other words, there are a lot of jobs, but not enough workers to fill them.
Since reopening after the pandemic, businesses have steadily increased job openings. Overall, employers added a stunning 4.5 million jobs in 2022. But at the same time, millions of Americans left the labor force. Today, there are 1.5 million fewer Americans working compared to February 2020.
A fairly new trend in higher education may be able to help employers quickly find or train good employees. Micro-credentials have emerged as a valuable solution for businesses looking for employees and individuals who want to quickly begin a career or gain needed skills to advance.
Micro-credentials are small, bite-sized units of learning or certification that focus on specific skills, knowledge or competencies. They can be earned through short courses, workshops, assessments or other forms of targeted education. Unlike traditional degrees or long-term certifications, micro-credentials are designed to be flexible, efficient, inexpensive and accessible to a wide range of learners.
At Huntington Junior College (HJC), we are creating micro-credentials to meet the demands of local businesses in careers that are in high demand. In the last couple of months, we’ve created a micro-credential in medical billing and four different micro-credentials in leisure and hospitality, including Hospitality Sales & Marketing, Event Management, Concierge Services and Food & Beverage Management.
Good for Business
Micro-credentials can serve an important function for businesses looking to hire or train skilled employees. They are a powerful tool for businesses to identify and attract talent with the precise skills they require, and can also be used to enhance employee development, leading to higher job satisfaction and reduced turnover.
Micro-credentials also help businesses respond quickly to changing industry needs. Since micro-credentials can be earned in a short time frame, employees can acquire new skills swiftly to align with evolving job requirements.
Hiring managers also benefit from the more diverse hiring pool that micro-credentials may facilitate. Micro-credentials provide opportunities for individuals who may not have traditional educational backgrounds but have acquired relevant skills through non-traditional means.
Organizations can collaborate with educational institutions like HJC to create customized micro-credential programs that match their specific workforce needs. Such was the case with Delta Hotels by Marriott in Huntington. Conversations with Mike Shockley, the organization’s director of sales, helped HJC identify a need for specific skills in the leisure and hospitality industry.
Good for Employees
Employees also benefit from the flexibility of micro-credentials. Micro-credentials often are more affordable than traditional degrees, making them an attractive option for both individuals looking to gain a new skill and for students who want to start careers while earning a degree.
Since micro-credentials are designed to be stackable, individuals can earn multiple credentials to customize skills, advance in careers and work toward other qualifications or certificates.
Employees also like micro-credentials because they allow individuals to leverage their existing skills and knowledge, build their competencies and demonstrate proficiency to employers.
In short, micro-credentials have become a game-changer in education and business. They offer a dynamic, customizable and cost-effective approach to skill development. Businesses that embrace micro-credentials gain a competitive edge in recruiting, retaining and developing talent. Moreover, these credentials empower individuals to adapt and thrive in an ever-changing job market.
As the future of work continues to evolve, micro-credentials are poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the workforce of tomorrow. HJC is committed to working with businesses locally and nationally to create additional micro-credentials to help them meet their hiring needs.
About the author: Dr. Kiko Suarez is Chief Academic Officer at HJC. He can be reached at ksuarez@hjc.edu.
