Short courses assist busy workers who want relevant skills

The University of Melbourne’s “microcerts” are responding to a general need in the workforce to upgrade skills.

University of Melbourne deputy vice-chancellor (academic) Professor Gregor Kennedy.

Almost two-thirds of Australian workers who would consider upgrading their skills believe that doing so in the next three years is vital to stay up to speed in their profession and remain employed.

The top reasons for undertaking further study included advancing knowledge and skills, updating and refreshing current skills and knowledge, assisting with career progression, and ­future-proofing careers according to a University of Melbourne survey of 313 people aged between 25 and 54 who hold an advanced ­diploma or higher qualification and were open to upgrading their skills.

The survey, conducted in July, revealed that the top disincentives were cost, course duration and managing study around work and personal commitments.

“What we have been seeing for some time [is] that professionals are keen to keep up with advances in knowledge, technology and specific areas of practice, and they want recognition for any professional development they complete in these areas,” Melbourne deputy vice-chancellor (academic) Gregor Kennedy said.

This year the university had launched a range of short courses – Melbourne MicroCerts – in response to this need, Professor Kennedy said.