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Work-Based Microcredentials in Business Communications

Work-Based Microcredentials in Business Communications

King’s is excited to announce an opportunity for liberal arts or arts graduates, from ANY institution in Nova Scotia, to gain microcredentials in entry-level business communications through recognition of prior learning (RPL)


Be recognized for what you know and can do!


Arts graduates are highly flexible, creative and adaptable in how and where they learn. Through work-based, on-the-job learning they acquire a wide range of business skills and often become ‘accidental’ managers—even if their work and learning experiences are not in business environments. What’s more, ‘evidence’ of the knowledge, skills and abilities gained through work exists in a variety of forms; this evidence can be demonstrated, validated and recognized through recognition of prior learning (RPL) and be awarded a microcredential.

Work-Based Microcredentials in Business Communications is a selection of training items funded by the Province of Nova Scotia and grounded in internationally recognized standards of business practice. These training items offer liberal arts/arts graduates an RPL pathway to identify their acquired business communications skills, gained through work and other experience.

WHAT is RPL?

The Canadian Association of Prior Learning Assessment defines RPL as ‘processes that allow individuals to identify, document, have assessed and gain recognition for their prior learning.’

RPL creates a pathway to identify and acknowledge prior learning, knowledge, skills and abilities learned from work or other environments. In this offering, participants complete an evidence verification process that identifies and articulates their learning, and have that learning recognized with a microcredential badge. 

What is ‘Evidence’?

Participants may source evidence from a variety of lived experiences or areas such as: part-time work, volunteerism, cultural events, full time work, education or recreational experiences. 

  • Examples of evidence may include: drafting a staff handbook, writing a grant application, submitting an advocacy letter, writing a memo, creating promotional material, writing a professional email, developing a schedule.
  • Participants will use their chosen evidence as the basis to complete a 2-step verification process.
    • Step 1: You will use a guided, structured form to provide a full and complete reflection that describes your learning based on the evidence item you choose. This form is called a STARR reflection (Situation, Task, Action, Result, Reflection).
    • Step 2: On the bottom of the STARR form you will provide the name and contact email for a witness who can verify the information stated on the form.
  • Participants do not literally upload chosen evidence. The STARR form is used to show learning that can be verified and supported by an identified witness.

Resources are provided to guide you in your evidence submission for each training item—so you will have material to help you along the way! Also, because this is a self-directed, RPL process, you choose what you want to submit and how many training items you wish to complete. The choice is yours.

WHO is eligible?

Eligibility requirements are:

  • any graduate of a Nova Scotia post-secondary institution who holds an Arts or Liberal Arts degree
  • having graduated in 2020 or later
  • currently living AND working in Nova Scotia

Funding has been made possible through the Province of NS Microcredentials Innovation Fund. This fund provides a limited training levy that will fully support individuals meeting the above criteria who want to participate. Applicants will be automatically approved until the levy is complete.

Explore Available Training Items

Business Writing Principles (ti00150)

Get The Badge!

To pursue this training item, participants will verify they can use sound writing principles to create business communications, including narrative and corporate storytelling techniques (/ti00150).

Objective

This objective of this Training Item is to show your ability to use principles of narrative and storytelling in business communication, to integrate storytelling techniques into both written and oral communication, and to tailor business communications to engage specific audiences effectively. If you have previously demonstrated these capabilities in a professional, community or volunteer context, you may submit evidence here for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

Evidence

Examples that show your learning in this area may include either workplace or civic activities, such as:

  • a written marketing campaign (e.g. blog post, email series or social media content) that uses narrative to convey brand values or customer success stories.
  • a presentation or pitch deck delivered to clients or stakeholders that incorporates storytelling elements (e.g. problem–solution structure, customer journey).
  • testimonial letters from supervisors or clients describing how the individual used stories to engage an audience, explain a concept or influence decision-making.
  • descriptive script or outline from a speech.
  • training or onboarding materials created to help new staff understand company culture or values through narrative examples.

*This module is designed and aligned with the Business Administration and Management Course offered by the Chartered Institute of Management 

Business Writing Processes (ti69980)

Get The Badge!

To pursue this training item, participants will verify they understand the writing process and how to plan, draft, edit and format business communications (/ti69980).

Objective

This objective of this Training Item is to show your ability to plan, draft, edit and format professional written communications that demonstrate ethical intent, collaborative awareness and effective structuring. If you have previously demonstrated these capabilities in a professional, community or volunteer context, you may submit evidence here for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

Evidence

Examples that show your learning in this area may include either workplace or civic activities, such as:

  • drafting a staff handbook, internal memo or cross-functional project proposal.
  • writing a report for leadership summarizing results, recommendations or compliance findings.
  • producing an external client proposal, service pitch or onboarding document.
  • composing grant applications or reporting templates in nonprofit or business roles.
  • writing a board report for a community organization.
  • preparing a newsletter or event summary for a civic initiative
  • composing a policy recommendation or action brief

*This module is designed and aligned with the Business Administration and Management Course offered by the Chartered Institute of Management 

Digital Tools for Team Communication (ti53010)

Get The Badge!

To pursue this training item, participants will verify they can use digital tools to manage communication, track progress and enhance team collaboration (/ti53010).

Objective

This objective of this Training Item is to show your ability to select, apply and evaluate digital tools to support effective communication and collaboration in a team or project setting. If you have previously demonstrated these capabilities in a professional, community or volunteer context, you may submit evidence here for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

Evidence

Examples that show your learning in this area may include either workplace or civic activities such as:

  • coordinating virtual team projects or managing communications using digital platforms (Slack, MS Teams, Asana, Trello, Monday.com).
  • using Google Workspace or SharePoint for shared deliverables.
  • using digital tools to organize community volunteers.
  • leading virtual advocacy campaigns through online messaging platforms.
  • facilitating group communications using free online tools for parent, youth, faith, non-profit groups, etc.

*This module is designed and aligned with the Business Administration and Management Course offered by the Chartered Institute of Management 

This innovative project has made been possible through funding from the Province of Nova Scotia