Your partner in lifelong learning
What is a Micro-credential?
Micro-credentials are short-duration training programs defined by their focus on industry-relevant skills or competencies. They are designed to meet the needs of adult learners and employers who require focused training in a specific skill, tool, or technology – whether to adapt to rapid changes in their sector, anticipate future trends, or overcome the unprecedented skills shortages and mismatches that hinder the growth of the Canadian economy.
How does eCampusOntario support upskilling and reskilling in the province and beyond?
eCampusOntario operates Ontario’s official micro-credential upskilling platform, the Micro-credentials Portal. Featuring over 2,500 short courses tagged with labour market information, this online resource helps learners find in-demand training programs to support skills development, career advancement, and job transition. The Portal enables employers to identify relevant training opportunities for their teams and to connect directly with staff at postsecondary institutions about their hiring needs. Advertising in the Portal allows participating institutions to boost the profile of their course offerings, creating an additional revenue stream that supports the development of a connected skills-based ecosystem across Ontario.
Since 2017, eCampusOntario has convened changemakers in higher education, industry, and government for Canada’s premier micro-credential summit – the Micro-credential Forum. Demonstrating the impacts of upskilling across Ontario and beyond, the Forum features a program showcase, interactive workshops, and networking opportunities. This conference, attended by over 500 individuals from coast to coast and internationally, is held annually in February. Visit our Events page or subscribe to our newsletter to learn more.
Unlock your potential and elevate your career with the Ontario Micro-credentials Portal.
Whether you want to explore a new career path, develop a specific skill, or broaden your learning, the Micro-credentials Portal can help you find the right training courses to get you there.
Why should I consider earning a micro-credential?
Fast, Affordable, and Flexible
Micro-credentials are affordable and take less time to complete than degrees or diplomas. They may be completed online, on campus, or on the job.
Industry-Relevant
Micro-credentials are verifiable credentials from reputable organizations so you can prove what you know to current and future employers.
Verifiable
Many micro-credentials are created with input from business sectors to equip you with the knowledge and skills to match employer needs.
Your business needs employees with the right skills. The Ontario Micro-credentials Portal can help.
Rapid training courses can help your organization alleviate the skills shortages that result in lost revenue opportunities, unfilled job postings, and challenges with changing technologies.
Explore the Micro-credentials Portal to find affordable training opportunities for your team and to connect directly with the right staff at Ontario’s postsecondary institutions about your hiring needs.
How can micro-credentials benefit my business?
Skills-Focused
Micro-credentials focus on a specific skill – what someone needs to perform a function of their job well. Possessing these specialized skills allows graduates to be job-ready, boosting the productivity of your team from day one.
Industry-Aligned
Micro-credentials are often created with input from business sectors – setting them apart from traditional degree programs. Graduates will come to your organization equipped with the tools they need to address today’s most pressing industry
challenges.
Resource-Efficient
Many micro-credentials are self-paced, fully
online, can be completed in less than 12 weeks, and are offered at a low-cost. This helps your organization be efficient when planning staff training and allows you to identify job candidates who are committed to their professional development.
Generate new enrolment leads for your institution with the Ontario Micro-credentials Portal.
Does your institution offer short-duration training courses or programs open to Ontario learners? Advertising in the Micro-credentials Portal – Ontario’s official micro-credential upskilling platform, visited by over 65,000 users each year – can boost the visibility of your course offerings and provide your institution with new registration leads.
Programs can be tagged with labour market information at scale, ensuring they are found when prospective learners and employers search for upskilling and reskilling opportunities based on job title, skill, technology, or industry. Web and social media spotlights share news about innovative training opportunities beginning soon, driving further awareness of the programs that institutions list in the Portal.
To inquire about adding your courses and programs to the Micro-credentials Portal, contact our team at microlearn@ecampusontario.ca.
Explore Micro-credential
Tools and Resources
Micro-credential Community of Practice & Mailing List
eCampusOntario’s Micro-credential Community of Practice consists of over 400 individuals involved in program design, delivery, and decision-making across Ontario’s colleges, universities, and Indigenous Institutes. A flexible online meeting format allows for hosting discussions, collecting input on topics, and disseminating insights. To learn about upcoming webinars and workshops, join the Community of Practice mailing list.
