Microcredentials

Our suite of microcredentials under development will be available to our PhD students, industry partners, councils, government organisations and the broader community including high school students and educators. It will build technical knowledge as well as a deeper understanding of the upstream and downstream challenges and opportunities to transform the plastics value chain. Our microcredentials will become available via our learning portal SPW 360 and can then be accessed anytime.

Microcredentials

The SPW CRC is the first CRC to develop and offer for our Partners and the wider community a comprehensive suite of microcredential (short) courses, both informed by the research conducted through the CRC and developed with our stakeholders.

Our first microcredentials below are under development (coming soon) and will be available for SPW CRC PhD students as a part of our PhD Core Skills Program.

Communication Skills

COMING SOON In this microcredential you will gain relevant knowledge and skills to understand audience and tailor communication to that audience through verbal, drawn or written means including storytelling and presentations.

Innovation Management

COMING SOON In this microcredential you will learn what innovation means at organisational and sector scale, how to facilitate it and generate positive outcomes.

Applied Research Design and Delivery

COMING SOON In this microcredential you will learn how to design and manage industrially relevant applied research which contributes to practical problem solving as well as to academic discourse.

Leadership and Influence

COMING SOON In this microcredential you will gain valuable leadership skills to work collaboratively with others to influence change through practicing the Direction – Alignment – Commitment (DAC) model.

Introduction to Plastics and the Circular Economy

COMING SOON This microcredential will introduce you to the concepts underpinning the circular economy and their application in practice with respect to plastics.

The Fundamentals of Microplastics

COMING SOON This microcredential provides an introduction to microplastics—tiny plastic particles that have become a pressing global concern. Students will explore the sources and pathways through which microplastics enter the environment, assess their impact on ecosystems and human health, and examine current and emerging solutions.

Information about Microcredentials

Our microcredentials start from just 1 hour of learning and some will be free to access. All microcredentials are awarded a digital badge through My eQuals which provides evidence of the learner’s achievement. Digital Badges can be included on a learner’s professional profile, shared with prospective employers and posted on social media.

Microcredential courses are transforming the way we upskill and train our workforce—offering focused, accessible, and practical learning that fits within busy schedules. These short, targeted courses provide immediate value, equipping professionals with the skills they need without the time and cost commitment of traditional courses.

Microcredentials in solving plastic waste will have a significant impact on social awareness, workforce upskilling, and the dissemination of research outcomes from CRC projects. They not only will support industry in adopting sustainable practices but also will extend awareness to primary and secondary school students, as well as university students. This broader reach ensures a stronger, more informed approach to plastic waste management at every level.

Prof. Rabin Tuladhar | Dean | School of Engineering and Technology CQUniversity Australia

Microcredentials will be a game-changer for the way our team learn and educate others at Earthwatch. A targeted, flexible learning approach is perfect for our participants who are looking for further insights about the impact of plastic in our environment. These bite-sized qualifications will help our staff, participants and partners stay current, improve pre – and post – fieldwork learning and provide additional learning pathways and professional growth for the people we serve.

Fiona Sutton Wilson | CEO | Earthwatch Australia

FAQs

What is a microcredential?

A microcredential is a short course which is assessed and awarded a digital badge on completion.

Microcredentials are undertaken as upskilling, knowledge acquisition, co-curricular education or for professional development.

How do I enrol for a microcredential through SPW CRC?

You can access our microcredentials at the SPW Learning Management System (available soon). The online enrolment form takes less than 10 minutes to complete and once complete your learner dashboard will show the microcredentials you have chosen to study.

How much is a microcredential and how do I pay for it?

Microcredentials vary in price (some are free) and payment is made through a secure payment gateway during the enrolment process in AUD. If you are interested in enroling a group, please contact us at info@solvingplasticwastecrc.com

Are the microcredentials fully online?

Most of the microcredentials offered by the SPW CRC will be fully online and self-paced. Read the Microcredential Syllabus document for a full outline of each course offer, including fully online, face-to-face or mixed mode study options.

How long does it take to complete a microcredential?

Each microcredential has a nominated volume of learning in hours, and mode of offer (fully online, face to face or mixed mode) outlined in the Microcredential Syllabus. Most are self-paced so that learners can study when it suits them and there is no time limit for completion for the microcredential.

Do I have to undertake any assessments to complete my microcredential?

Yes, each microcredential has one or more assessment items to complete and are detailed in each Microcredential Syllabus.

What is awarded on completion of a microcredential?

Learners who successfully complete a microcredential are awarded a digital badge through My eQuals as a high-tech verifiable record of the knowledge and skills gained.

What is a digital badge?

A digital badge acts as a digital certificate of completion of a Microcredential and is a visual representation of your achievements, skills and competencies. Digital badges can be accessed through a shared link (public or private), verified for authenticity, and used in professional portfolios including LinkedIn, personal websites, email signatures and digital portfolios.

How do I get my digital badge?

A digital badge will be issued on completion of the microcredential, and you will receive an email (using the same email address you use for enrolment) from My eQuals to access the digital badge and add to your My eQuals profile. Instructions are included in each Microcredential Syllabus document and on completion of the course.

Can I study more than one microcredential?

Yes, you can enroll in as many microcredentials as you like. You will be required to complete an online enrolment form for each course.

Can I register a group to take a microcredential?

Yes, you can. To register on behalf of another individual or enrol a group, please contact our team at info@solvingplasticwastecrc.com to arrange.

Who do I contact for further information?

You can contact us at info@solvingplasticwastecrc.com for any further information.

SPW Learning Portal

Our SPW 360 learning portal will have a range of microcredentials for learners to gain valuable knowledge and skills in growing the circular economy for plastics.

To enrol in a microcredential simply access using the Enroll button on the microcredential of your choice. Once you have completed the enrolment form you can pay using the secure payment gateway and commence study immediately.