Microcredentials as a Mechanism for Developing Human Capital in Postgraduate Education in New Zealand
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| Title: | Microcredentials as a Mechanism for Developing Human Capital in Postgraduate Education in New Zealand |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | David Parsons, Hayley Sparks, Anzel Singh, Darcy Vo |
| Source: | Discover Education. 2025 4. |
| Availability: | Springer. Available from: Springer Nature. One New York Plaza, Suite 4600, New York, NY 10004. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-460-1700; e-mail: customerservice@springernature.com; Web site: https://link.springer.com/ |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 19 |
| Publication Date: | 2025 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | Higher Education Postsecondary Education |
| Descriptors: | Foreign Countries, Microcredentials, Human Capital, Graduate Study, Graduate Students, Self Efficacy, Productivity, Transfer of Training |
| Geographic Terms: | New Zealand |
| DOI: | 10.1007/s44217-025-00990-w |
| ISSN: | 2731-5525 |
| Abstract: | Micro-credentials have been widely adopted across multiple levels of learning, but their contribution to the development of human capital for postgraduate learners in specific contexts remains under-examined. This qualitative exploratory study investigated the motivations, experiences, and outcomes of ten postgraduate students who had completed at least one micro-credential as part of a larger learning journey at a single New Zealand tertiary institution. Semi-structured interviews were thematically analysed using human capital theory as an interpretive lens. Findings suggest that postgraduate micro-credentials can support confidence, efficacy, and professional productivity, helping learners transition into and through advanced study while applying new learning in their workplaces. A contextualised application of human-capital theory is used to capture the iterative and practice-embedded nature of postgraduate micro-credential learning. The results suggest how micro-credentials may contribute to human capital development in this and related contexts. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1501326 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Micro-credentials have been widely adopted across multiple levels of learning, but their contribution to the development of human capital for postgraduate learners in specific contexts remains under-examined. This qualitative exploratory study investigated the motivations, experiences, and outcomes of ten postgraduate students who had completed at least one micro-credential as part of a larger learning journey at a single New Zealand tertiary institution. Semi-structured interviews were thematically analysed using human capital theory as an interpretive lens. Findings suggest that postgraduate micro-credentials can support confidence, efficacy, and professional productivity, helping learners transition into and through advanced study while applying new learning in their workplaces. A contextualised application of human-capital theory is used to capture the iterative and practice-embedded nature of postgraduate micro-credential learning. The results suggest how micro-credentials may contribute to human capital development in this and related contexts. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 2731-5525 |
| DOI: | 10.1007/s44217-025-00990-w |
