Olds College Launches Microcredentials

Olds College launches microcredentials in horticulture production, cannabis retail, and beverage production. A microcredential is a short-term, flexible certification that recognizes a specific skill, learning outcome or competency that allows learners to quickly develop job specific skills. 

“We are very excited to be offering this new form of certification to learners,” comments Debbie Thompson, Vice President, Academic and Student Experience. “For learners who are looking to re-skill or upskill, microcredentials provide a flexible option that will provide them with the competencies that industry are looking for.” 

Microcredentials can be combined into digital badges that learners can display on their social media accounts and share with employers. The advantage for learners is that microcredentials showcase practical skills, validate existing learning, and allow learners to learn at their own pace. Most microcredentials are completed in less than a month. 

Olds College will be offering 9 microcredential badges (made up of 40 individual microcredentials) in three categories this fall, including:  

Horticulture Production

• Plant Development for Greenhouse Crops
• Propagation Methods 

Cannabis Retail

• Cannabis Sativa L 
• Cannabis Products 
• Cannabis Use in Canada 
• Cannabis and Consumers 

Beverage Production 

• General Beverage
• Cider Beverage
• Ready to Drink Beverage 
  

In March of 2021, Olds College was pleased to learn that their proposal to support the development of micro-credentials was approved by the Government of Alberta’s Microcredential Pilot Program. The grant allowed the College to implement a system to support the development of micro-credentials, along with the launch of the first series of microcredentials. Additional microcredential programming will continue to be created and brought online throughout the year. 

To learn more about microcredentials at Olds College visit oldscollege.ca/microcredentials.