Griffith University is meeting the challenge of preparing professionals for new employment opportunities in a post-pandemic world by introducing an extensive suite of micro-credentials from Trimester 3, 2020.

The courses, designed to assist professionals to fast-track advancement of their existing careers, are specifically designed to fill the skills gap that is widely expected to dominate the employment landscape in the wake of the severity of COVID disruptions to business.

Griffith’s suite of micro-credentials is a direct response to the Queensland Economic Recovery Strategy. The program has been applied to a range of study disciplines with 22 individual courses available in T3, and up to 100 in 2021.

Professor Nick Barter

“Each of these courses has been carefully selected based on our extensive research into the future of professional work and the key themes that will drive our economy in the near future,” Professor Nick Barter, the Academic Director of Griffith Online, said.

“These are not typical professional development courses as they are specifically targeted to provide graduates with skills and knowledge in industries that will offer high-demand employment opportunities nationally as the economy inevitably makes its way towards a recovery.

“Griffith’s micro-credentials are designed to boost the employability of graduates and also advance their careers within their current workplace or industry.”

“We call these professionals ‘worker-learners’. They are people who are not looking to completely retrain or enter new fields, where there are already existing degree options available, but who want to meet the moment, with relevant study options that augment and enhance their existing experience.”

Griffith University has always taken bold strides in emerging fields of study and recently identified key areas of skill mapping to ensure its micro-credential courses meet the projected needs of future employment.

A snapshot of some of the Griffith micro-credentials available

“This new suite of courses is closely aligned with Griffith’s core principles of creating a better future for all,” Professor Barter said.

“It brings a level of agility to our academic program at a critical period and will help prepare professionals for what is to come.”

Griffith’s new micro-credential courses broadly focus on essential skills in leadership and management, increasingly popular information technology courses around cyber security and artificial intelligence and business concepts.

There is also an extensive offering in the area of public health including courses targeting pandemic management.

The courses will be stackable, allowing students to study one to obtain a digital badge, a combination of two courses for a Certificate in Professional Studies, or a total of four courses to secure a Graduate Certificate in Professional Studies.

Eligible students enrolled in the Graduate Certificate in Professional Studies will be able to access support for the courses through the Federal Government’s FEE-HELP Study Assist program.

A study by the World Economic Forum in 2018 found that by 2022, ‘no less than 54 per cent of all employees will require significant re- and upskilling’.

“The issue identified by the World Economic Forum two years ago has become even more acute in the current environment and given the changing nature of work, professionals want skills that complement where they are right now,” said Professor Barter.

“These courses deliver strategic professional development opportunities, enabling individuals to maximise their career prospects while simultaneously addressing the forecast skills gap in a post-COVID economy.

“Griffith advisors armed with the latest research around future job opportunities can help professionals assess their skills gaps and suggest courses relevant to their current situation and future goals.”

Many of the micro-credential courses being introduced to the program for T3 have been developed from Griffith University’s existing course offerings. A number of new courses are also being prepared for 2021.

For further information on Griffith University Micro-credentials, head to griffith.edu.au/professional-development