Micro-credential Forum 2024
In February 2024, the annual Micro-credential Forum: Developing Tomorrow’s Workforce explored how institutions, employers, and eCampusOntario are working together to empower trailblazers, improve learner experiences, and prepare the future workforce to thrive. Thank you to all of those who attended. We look forward to seeing you again next year!
Micro-credential Forum 2024
Online Presentations
Thursday, February 22, 2024
Livestream
Thursday, February 29, 2024
Online Presentations – February 22, 2024
On February 22, Micro-credential Forum 2024 will be accessible virtually with online sessions. This online event is available at no-cost. Separate registration required.
Panel
Partnerships, Programs, and Pathways: Global Perspectives on Micro-credential Development
Bringing together higher education thought leaders from Australia, Canada, and the United States, this panel explores the power of micro-credentials to remove barriers, promote career and community development, and expand access to lifelong and life-wide learning.
Panelists will shed light on questions such as: How can micro-credentials provide learning and career pathways for non-traditional students, including groups who have historically faced barriers to postsecondary education? How can critical workforce demands, including those in rural regions, be met through responsive micro-credentials that are built in partnership with communities and employers?
Drawing on their experience with program creation and management at various scales, panelists will also share practical advice for educators and industry professionals interested in developing micro-credentials in collaboration for the first time.
Renee Desmarchelier
Associate Professor (Education and Humanities and Communication), University of Southern Queensland
Renee Desmarchelier
Associate Professor (Education and Humanities and Communication), University of Southern Queensland
Renee Desmarchelier has led micro-credentials at the University of Southern Queensland, Australia, from initial project to establishment of the University’s Microcredential Unit. Renee’s academic career has been interdisciplinary, starting in the sciences, moving into First Nations education and Critical Pedagogy, and then on to university-level Learning and Teaching leadership. The dynamic and challenging space of micro-credentials has been her area of speciality for the last three years where she has led the development of process, systems, projects, and government grants. Renee sees the potential of micro-credentials to broaden tertiary level education, providing access to lifelong and life-wide learning to non-traditional students.
A.J. Fraser
Senior Project Manager,Micro-credentials, Cape Breton University
A.J. Fraser
Senior Project Manager,Micro-credentials, Cape Breton University
A.J. Fraser is a Senior Project Manager at Cape Breton University (CBU), in Unama’ki–Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Canada, developing his institution’s capacity to develop and deliver micro-credential programming. This innovative education model provides opportunities to accelerate recognized and validated skills development and CBU expertise in the community, with an aim to address identified socio-economic needs of Cape Breton and beyond. Informed by the university’s strategic directive to “Champion the Island’s Prosperity”, CBU micro-credentials offer a targeted, accessible, and affordable learning option for working professionals, current students, and lifelong learners to engage in continuous education and be recognized for their newly acquired competencies and dedication to their field. A.J. also sees the increasing adoption of unified micro-credential definitions and frameworks as a way to bridge institutional divides and encourage partnerships in the adult education movement. A.J. has a BA, Celtic Culture, and an MBA, Community Economic Development, from Cape Breton University
Bill Hughes
President and CEO,
Education Design Lab
Bill Hughes
President and CEO,
Education Design Lab
Bill Hughes is the President and CEO of Education Design Lab, a national nonprofit based in Washington, DC. The Lab engages learning institutions, employers, and regions using design thinking to unlock economic opportunity via skills-based pathways to and through quality jobs and careers. Before joining the Lab, he was the founder and CEO of JobReady (acquired by LearningMate). Previously, Hughes was Chief Strategy Officer at Learning Objects (acquired by Cengage) and led business development at Pearson. He co-founded Intellus Learning (acquired by Macmillan) and oversaw the transformation of Pearson’s learning products into its flagship MyLab platform. Over the past 25 years, he has held leadership positions at Sapient, Mercer, and the Cambridge Innovation Center. In addition, he was a member of the board of trustees of Kaplan University that became Purdue University Global. Hughes currently serves as a board member of Berkshire Bank (NYSE: BHLB) and Education Development Center.
In-Person Conference – February 29, 2024 (Globe and Mail Centre)
Date:
Thursday, February 29, 2024
Location:
Globe and Mail Centre, Toronto
Micro-credential Forum 2024 will feature an immersive in-person experience. This year’s Forum will be a ticketed event with equity-based discounts for eCampusOntario member institutions, faculty, and students. Faculty, staff, and administrators of member institutions may also apply for a travel bursary to attend the Micro-credential Forum in person. Travel bursary applications close February 20, 2024, at 11:59pm ET. Limited tickets and bursaries available.
This full day includes:
Research & Program Showcase
Speakers from across North America will join us to share stories of innovation in micro-credential design, delivery, and evaluation
Live Panel Discussion
Sector experts will explore how public and private education providers can work together to better support career development at every age and stage of life.
Lunch Social and Networking Reception
A catered lunch social and post-event reception will provide opportunities to reconnect with colleagues and make new contacts.
In-Person: Special Presentation
Building a Future-Ready Workforce: How to Unlock Canada’s Highly Skilled Workforce and Build a More Inclusive Economy
Canada has one of the most highly skilled workforces in the world. And yet, employers still struggle to find the talent they need to grow. It’s clear that we are underutilizing the diverse, skilled workforce we already have, resulting in a double-sided drag on productivity, where companies aren’t tapping into the skills they need to grow their businesses, and Canadians aren’t unlocking their full economic and human potential. Everybody recognizes the importance of upskilling Canadian workers to fill new roles in high-demand sectors – and giving companies access to the talent they need to thrive in the global marketplace. But until now, there has been no pan-Canadian attempt to accomplish this task at scale – and in partnership and consultation with the companies who are searching for skilled employees.
That’s where Upskill Canada comes in. Upskill Canada is a new national talent platform that helps fast-growing companies access the talent they need to succeed while creating new career pathways for workers to rapidly transition into high-demand roles. Upskill Canada, supported by a $250 million investment over three years from Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), supports 17 projects that will upskill 5,500 workers by the end of 2024.
Rhonda Barnet
CEO, Palette Skills
Rhonda Barnet
CEO, Palette Skills
Rhonda Barnet has over three decades of experience as a female trailblazer, achieving great heights in male-dominated industries and institutions. A STEM graduate in mathematics, she is a successful executive, entrepreneur, and director, as well as a key voice in Canada, and around the world, on industrial policy, skills of the future, and diversity. Barnet was the first woman in history to chair the National Board of Canada’s oldest, largest trade association, Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME). Barnet is the founder of Canada’s Women in Manufacturing Initiative, led by CME and funded, in part, by the federal government’s Ministry of Women and Gender Equality. Most notably, she led a campaign to add 100,000 new jobs for women in Canada to the manufacturing sector. Barnet is a member of the Government of Canada’s Industry Strategy Council, and was the voice of manufacturing, diversity, and skills in the final strategy set to position Canada for growth in key sectors. Barnet is a sought-after Canadian advocate for the advanced manufacturing sector and is an international spokeswoman on diversity, women in manufacturing, innovation, skills, and the future workforce.
AJ Tibando
Chief Strategy Officer, Palette Skills
AJ Tibando is the Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Palette Skills, a national nonprofit focused on meeting the needs of Canada’s most innovative companies by upskilling workers from diverse backgrounds to transition into new industries. AJ comes from a background in public policy and entrepreneurship. She started her career at Queen’s Park, serving as a senior policy advisor to several Ministers, including ministries such as Training, Colleges and Universities, where she worked on labour market and workforce development files; Research and Innovation, where she led the bio-tech and life sciences emerging industries file; and Community and Social Services, where she led the review of Ontario’s social assistance systems. After leaving government, AJ founded a series of startups focused on developing socially innovative solutions to public challenges around youth engagement, social entrepreneurship, and education. She is a passionate advocate of using the tools of innovation and entrepreneurship to address complex social challenges and is committed to training others to Master’s in Political Science from the University of Waterloo and adevelop those skills. AJ holds a BA from the University of British Columbia.
Featured Speakers
Kelly Archer
Director, Employment and Social Development Canada
Kelly Archer
Director, Employment and Social Development Canada
Kelly Archer joined the federal public service in 2000 and has held various positions related to employment and labour market policy. She currently holds the position of Director of Operations responsible for Canada’s National Job Bank (www.jobbank.gc.ca). Kelly is passionate about delivering high quality services to Canadians and connecting people with jobs. Under Kelly’s leadership, Job Bank has grown to serve over 80 million people a year and has become the Government of Canada’s most popular online service. Kelly holds Bachelor and Master’s degrees in Political Science from York University.
Kelvin Bentley, PhD
Program Manager, Texas Credentials for the Future, University of Texas System
Kelvin Bentley, PhD
Program Manager, Texas Credentials for the Future, University of Texas System
Kelvin Bentley is the program manager of Texas Credentials for the Future, an initiative within the University of Texas System designed to provide students access to employer-initiated and validated microcredential programs at no added cost. Through partnerships with Coursera and Google, and with funding from the Strada Education Foundation, the program aims to reach 30,000 learners by 2025, equipping them with technical skills they combine with their college degrees to be successful in the world of work. Kelvin has more than 22 years of experience leading online learning initiatives as an administrator and consultant for two- and four-year colleges and universities, and K-12 and for-profit organizations. Kelvin has received various honors including Blackboard’s 2017 Catalyst Award for Inclusive Education, and his selection as a Fulbright Specialist in 2010.
Lorrie Deschamps
President, Oshki-Pimache-O-Win: The Wenjack Education Institute
Lorrie Deschamps
President, Oshki-Pimache-O-Win: The Wenjack Education Institute
Lorrie Deschamps is originally from Moose Factory, Ontario, and is a member of the Moose Cree First Nation. Lorrie graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Lakehead University in 2008 and considers herself a lifelong learner. Lorrie joined Oshki-Pimache-O-Win: The Wenjack Education Institute as the Community Liaison and Student Recruitment Officer in 2009. Since then, she has taken on many roles at Oshki-Wenjack leading up to becoming the President in June 2020. She has been involved in Education since 1990 and has spent a majority of her career working with Nishnawbe Aski Nation Communities in the Education field and is very passionate about supporting all First Nation students in their educational journey. Lorrie has been a board member of the Indigenous Institutes Consortium since January 2019 which is comprised of seven First Nation owned and controlled postsecondary institutes in Ontario.
Darian Kovacs
Partner, Jelly Academy, Jelly Digital Marketing & PR and Chair, Digital Marketing Sector Council
Darian Kovacs
Partner, Jelly Academy, Jelly Digital Marketing & PR and Chair, Digital Marketing Sector Council
Darian Kovacs is the Métis founder of Vancouver-based PR, digital ads, and SEO company Jelly Digital Marketing & PR and digital marketing school Jelly Academy. He is the host of the podcast Marketing News Canada, chairs the Digital Marketing Sector Council, and is on the board of NPower Canada. His recent book, Marketing Mentors, featuring interviews with Seth Godin, Guy Kawasaki, and marketing leads from LEGO, Lululemon, and Starbucks, is available now wherever you purchase your books. Darian lives in Fort Langley, British Columbia with his wife and four children and likes to mountain bike, swim, grow dahlias, watercolour, and read YA novels in his free time.
Dr. Marilyn Herie, PhD RSW
Vice President Academic and Chief Learning Officer, Centennial College
Dr. Marilyn Herie, PhD RSW
Vice President Academic and Chief Learning Officer, Centennial College
With over two decades as a leading educator, Marilyn Herie’s focus is on transformational, experiential, inclusive, and student-centred leadership and learning. She is a TEDx speaker and professional trainer, and has published widely on evidence-based practice approaches in motivation and health behaviour change. Marilyn serves Centennial College in Toronto, Ontario as Vice President Academic and Chief Learning Officer, and on the Boards of eCampusOntario and OntarioLearn.
Jake Hirsch-Allen
Workforce Development and Skills Lead, LinkedIn
Jake Hirsch-Allen
Workforce Development and Skills Lead, LinkedIn
Jake Hirsch-Allen builds public private partnerships between North America’s governments, workforce development organizations, colleges and universities, and LinkedIn Talent Solutions. Through this work, Jake supports and is learning to be an ally to groups such as newcomers, refugees, and people with disabilities. Jake advises an impact investing firm, a large US foundation, Avalanche VC, the US CCSSO, and several startups. He speaks regularly on the changing nature of work and learning and is passionate about immigration, interoperability, open and user-owned data, skills-based hiring and learning, and AI regulation. Jake is a Director on the Boards of the Ontario Tech Talent and the Canadian Club. He also founded Lighthouse Labs, Canada’s foremost software bootcamp, and Hacking Health.
Conference Tracks
Sessions will focus on four guiding questions that are vital for preparing the future workforce to thrive.
Anticipating Labour Market Demands
How can micro-credentials equip learners with the skills needed to secure employment in high-growth industries?
Building Partnerships
How can postsecondary institutions collaborate with industry and community organizations to co-create micro-credentials that are responsive to local needs?
Operationalizing and Scaling
How can educators secure resources and foster support to overcome implementation challenges, grow their programs, and get more graduates into jobs?
Pathways and Laddering
How can micro-credentials interface with traditional credit systems and provide underserved groups with opportunities to continue lifelong learning?
Join us as we drive innovation in the higher education sector and work together to develop tomorrow’s workforce. Together, we’re getting people into programs, and then into jobs.
The Micro-credential Forum is made possible with funding by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities.
Sponsored by
