PERCEPTIONS OF INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS FROM DIVERSE SECTORS ON POST-SECONDARY MICRO-CREDENTIALS ON LINKEDIN

Abstract

The study explored industry professionals’ perceptions of micro-credentialing in postsecondary education and their views on LinkedIn. The study used a grounded theory approach to develop a theory on industry professionals’ perspectives on micro-credentials. The representative sample comprised 15 LinkedIn posts written by industry professionals from different sectors, and the posts were analyzed using the NVivo software program. The study found that industry professionals and employers value micro-credentials to address the skill gap and provide accessible learning opportunities. Micro-credentials are seen as a means of achieving lifelong and competency-based learning, enabling individuals to adapt to changes in their profession and stay competitive in the job market. The study’s findings suggest that microcredentials can help meet the changing demands of the job market and offer accessible and cost-effective learning options. The results have practical implications for policymakers, educators, and industry professionals using micro-credentials to address labor market needs.