“Australia desperately needs more teachers, nurses, IT professionals and engineers, and microcredentials can help,” Universities Australia Chief Executive Catriona Jackson said.

“The government’s microcredentials pilot is an important initiative supporting universities to deliver short courses that upskill or retain people quickly and efficiently – getting them into the workforce faster.

“More than half of the nearly one million new jobs projected to be created over the next five years will require a university degree, which is why it’s vital we skill-up Australians at all stages of their careers.

“More skilled workers in our economy is key to boosting Australia’s productivity and driving economic growth.”