Using Microcredentials Pathways for Ocean Technician Workforce Development

There is a global need for skilled workers across multiple sectors within the blue economy. To prepare this workforce, the Marine Technology Society is leading an initiative to establish innovative, agile, and attractive educational opportunities. These opportunities capitalize on skill sets for a range of workers and encourage engagement pathways for lifelong learning through obtaining stackable microcredentials. These pathways can promote personal growth, keep pace with technological changes, and capitalize upon employment opportunities within and across sectors utilizing marine technologies. The goal of the microcredentials initiative led by the Marine Technology Society is to create a cross-sectoral, consensus-based set of competencies for multiple levels of learning and establish a partnership program for local implementation of the microcredentials.