Unlock career opportunities faster with micro-credentials for newcomers to Canada

As a newcomer to Canada, you’re probably excited to put your professional skills to work and start contributing to the economy. However, to better align your expertise with the Canadian job market, you may need to pursue micro-credentials. These are short courses designed to help you understand how your skills translate in Canada, while also giving you an update on the latest industry practices in your field.

In this article, we’ll dive into how micro-credentials can give your career a boost and tips to find the right course to jumpstart your job search.

Micro-credentials focus on developing specific competencies and can be completed in a short amount of time

Depending on the course content, micro-credentials can last anywhere from one month to six. Although many courses are self-paced and online, some require you to attend classes and submit assignments. 

According to the Higher Education Quality Council (HEQCO) of Ontario, micro-credentials for newcomers to Canada have four defining characteristics:

1. They are relevant to certain industry or community needs and provide learners with specific knowledge, skills, and competencies that respond to societal, personal, cultural, or labour market needs
2. They are a stackable part of a learning process that leads to a larger credential that demonstrates individuals’ proof and capabilities of learning
3. They are awarded after assessments that focus on evidence of actual skills and abilities, not the amount of ‘seat time’ logged
4. They offer flexibility in terms of the pace and/or structure of content, enabling learners to create their learning journey, based on interests and career goals

“Micro-credentials can provide newcomers to Canada with a Canadian credential that complements their internationally earned degrees, diplomas, or certifications,” says Juan Mavo-Navarro, Assistant Dean – Lifelong Learning and Innovation, The University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies. “Micro courses are considered a form of ‘just-in-time learning’. This means that individuals can target the skills and learning experiences they want to meet their current professional or personal needs.”

Also read: Canada is prioritizing Express Entry invitations for skilled workers in healthcare, STEM fields

Micro-credentials are available across a variety of fields for newcomers

Whatever your field, be it engineering, construction, project management, finance, languages, IT, or any other profession, there is likely a micro-credential for you.

For example, if you are a finance professional, you might want to sign up for McGill University’s Personal Finance Essentials. Entrepreneurs, on the other hand, might want to opt for The Founder’s Journey by Western University. If you work as a language instructor or translator, then maybe a course in Korean, French, or Spanish might be what you’re looking for. And, if you specialize in agri-food, then the Holland College course in land management might serve you better.

If you’ve completed micro-credentials relevant to your career, be sure to highlight them on your resume. Doing so can boost an employer’s confidence in your skills, especially if the credentials are directly related to the job you’re aiming for. Micro-credentials also help you stand out, as they show you’re aligned with current industry needs.

If you are already employed and wish to pursue a micro-credential, just ask your employer, and they might be willing to fund your learning. According to a survey conducted by the Business + Higher Education Roundtable, in collaboration with HEQCO, about 70 percent of employers believe that upskilling their staff could lead to better retention.

Are micro-credentials for newcomers available for free?

Most micro-credentials are available to citizens, permanent residents, and people with refugee status. Individual programs, however, may vary so make sure you check the admission requirements for any course for which you want to register. Keep in mind that micro-credentials can be expensive, especially for newcomers who might have other priorities when they first arrive. Depending on the course length, subject matter, and the host institution, many micro-credentials can set you back by anywhere between $400 and $3,500.

Fortunately, there are many platforms where you can indeed learn for free!

• If you have a LinkedIn Premium account, you have free access to hundreds of relevant courses via LinkedIn Learning.
• Another fantastic source of free micro-credentials is Quick Train, which offers a selection of short courses put together by 14 colleges and universities across Canada to prepare newcomers for environmentally sustainable jobs in the country, as Canada transitions towards a green economy.
• Many universities, too, periodically offer free courses; so check their websites regularly to see when they become available!
• You can also learn through sites such as EdX, Coursera, and Udemy. Although you can learn for free, you might need to pay a modest fee to secure a certificate at the end of your course.

Happy learning! Also, don’t forget to share this article with other newcomers in your network.