Adaptive micro-credential-based curriculum to address competency gaps and industry needs

M. Fatih Hidayatul Mustafid; Nadlir Nadlir

doi:10.64014/jik.v23i3.756

Abstract

Digital transformation has rapidly changed the competency needs of the workforce, creating a gap between the competencies of university graduates and industry demands. This situation demands the development of a curriculum that is more adaptive, flexible, and oriented to job market needs. This study aims to analyze the role of a micro-credential-based adaptive curriculum in reducing the competency gap and increasing graduates' relevance in the era of digital transformation. This study employs a systematic literature review to examine references on digital transformation, adaptive curriculum, and the implementation of micro-credential in higher education. The results of the study indicate that micro-credential can provide recognition of specific competencies needed by industry, support flexible and continuous learning, and improve graduates' work readiness through mastery of technical and non-technical skills. The integration of micro-credential into the curriculum strengthens the connection between the learning process and the dynamic needs of the workforce. However, its implementation still faces challenges, including standardization of certification, industry recognition of competencies, human resource readiness, and digital infrastructure support. These findings confirm that a micro-credential-based adaptive curriculum is an innovative strategy for improving graduate quality and the competitiveness of higher education in the digital era.

Abstrak

Transformasi digital telah dengan cepat mengubah kebutuhan kompetensi tenaga kerja, sehingga memunculkan kesenjangan antara kompetensi lulusan perguruan tinggi dan tuntutan dunia industri. Kondisi ini menuntut pengembangan kurikulum yang lebih adaptif, fleksibel, dan berorientasi pada kebutuhan pasar kerja. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis peran kurikulum adaptif berbasis micro-credential dalam mengurangi kesenjangan kompetensi sekaligus meningkatkan relevansi lulusan di era transformasi digital. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode systematic literature review dengan menelaah berbagai referensi yang berkaitan dengan transformasi digital, kurikulum adaptif, serta implementasi micro-credential dalam pendidikan tinggi. Hasil kajian menunjukkan bahwa micro-credential mampu memberikan pengakuan terhadap kompetensi spesifik yang dibutuhkan industri, mendukung pembelajaran yang fleksibel dan berkelanjutan, serta meningkatkan kesiapan kerja lulusan melalui penguasaan keterampilan teknis maupun nonteknis. Integrasi micro-credential dalam kurikulum memperkuat keterhubungan antara proses pembelajaran dan dinamika kebutuhan dunia kerja. Namun, implementasinya masih menghadapi tantangan berupa standardisasi sertifikasi, pengakuan kompetensi oleh industri, kesiapan sumber daya manusia, serta dukungan infrastruktur digital. Temuan ini menegaskan bahwa kurikulum adaptif berbasis micro-credential merupakan strategi inovatif untuk meningkatkan kualitas lulusan dan daya saing pendidikan tinggi di era digital.

Kata Kunci: kesenjangan kompetensi; kurikulum adaptif; micro-credential

Keywords:

adaptive curriculum competency gap micro-credential

References

Adabas, A., & Kaygin, H. (2016). Lifelong learning key competence levels of graduate students. Universal Journal of Educational Research, 4(12), 31-38.

Ahsan, K., Akbar, S., Kam, B., & Abdulrahman, M. D. A. (2023). Implementation of micro-credentials in higher education: A systematic literature review. Education and Information Technologies, 28(1), 1-36.

Alenezi, M., Akour, M., & Alfawzan, L. (2024). Evolving microcredential strategies for enhancing employability: Employer and student perspectives. Education Sciences, 14(12), 1-24.

Ali, M., Raza, S. A., Puah, C. H., & Qazi, W. (2024). Micro-credential as a digital enabler for higher education ecosystems. International Journal of Educational Management, 38(4), 893-896.

Andriya, M., Fadila, Y., & Andriani, T. (2025). Tinjauan kurikulum di beberapa negara: perbandingan strategis dan implikasinya terhadap pendidikan Indonesia. Jurnal Dinamika Pendidikan Nusantara, 6(2), 791-809.

Bismala, L., Siregar, G., Andriany, D., Handayani, S., Hafsah, H., Hasibuan, L. S., Arda, M., Putra, Y. A., & Manurung, Y. H. (2024). Customer satisfaction index in Indonesian student micro credentials program. Journal of Education and Learning (EduLearn), 18(4), 1553-1561.

Bruguera, C., Fitó, À., & Pagés, C. (2023). Exploring learners' motivations and preferences for micro-credentials: a mixed-method study. Ubiquity Proceedings, 3(1), 1-20.

Cheng, J. K., Yong, I. S.-C., Ch’ng, C. K., & Lim, H.T. (2024). Micro-credentials in Malaysian higher education: a comprehensive case study approach. Education and Information Technologies, 30(8), 1-24.

Durak, G., & Cankaya, S. (2025). The rise of micro-credentials: a new certification system for career development. Integrating Micro-Credentials with AI in Open Education, 1(1), 1-18.

Hafid, I. K. A., Kasmira, K., Redianto, R., & Purnamawati, P. (2025). Peningkatan kompetensi kejuruan melalui integrasi kurikulum industri di pendidikan vokasi: tinjauan literatur. Jurnal Pendidikan dan Profesi Keguruan, 4(2), 196-207.

Jaime, A., Osorio-sanabria, M. A., Yohana, D., & Torres, B. (2026). Similarities and differences between Industry 4.0 and Industry 5.0: Towards a transitioning model. Journal of Innovation & Knowledge, 13(1), 1-19.

Jamaludin, J., Farhan, A., & Purnamasari, P. (2024). Transformasi digital manajemen strategi dalam menghadapi dinamika bisnis modern. Innovative: Journal of Social Science Research, 4(3), 13630-13639.

Jaya, D. J., Saputra, T. W., Sudira, P., & Raharjo, N. E. (2025). Kurikulum SMK dalam menghadapi era disrupsi tenaga kerja serta tantangan dunia usaha dan dunia industri. Nozel: Jurnal Pendididikan Teknik Mesin, 7(2), 85-104.

Jumaan, S., Kuzminykh, I., Xiao, H., & Ghita, B. (2025). Understanding the skills gap between higher education and industry in cybersecurity. Annual conference on Advances in Cyber Security Education, 1(1), 135-153.

Kovalev, A., Stefanac, N., & Rizoiu, M. A. (2025). Skill-driven certification pathways: Measuring industry training impact on graduate employability. arXiv preprint arXiv:2506.04588, 1(1), 1-32.

Laili, N., & Pradikto, S. (2025). Reformasi kurikulum pendidikan: menyelaraskan kebutuhan akademik dan ketrampilan hidup. Integrative Perspectives of Social and Science Journal (IPSSJ), 2(1), 878-887.

Lee, G. K. S. (2026). Unbundling business education: a review of micro-credentials as drivers of higher education innovation and labor market alignment. International Journal of Educational Reform, 1(1), 1-10.

Muharam, R. S., Afrilia, U. A., & Sudarma. (2025). Revitalisasi pendidikan vokasi berbasis kebutuhan industri 4.0: implikasi kebijakan pendidikan di daerah sub-urban. Diajar: Jurnal Pendidikan dan Pembelajaran, 4(3), 425-436.

Nikma, S., & Rozak, A. (2023). Kurikulum Merdeka dalam tinjauan filsafat pendidikan. Qiro'ah: Jurnal Pendidikan Agama Islam, 13(1), 36-48.

Nordin, N. N., Nordin, N. H., Nordin, N. I. A., & Zainudin, N. (2022). Technology and innovation adoption in higher education: a study on acceptance of micro-credentials learning concept. International Conference on Entrepreneurship, Business and Technology, 1(1), 807-815.

Oxley, K., & van Rooyen, T. (2021). Making micro-credentials work: a student perspective: provocation. Journal of Teaching and Learning for Graduate Employability, 12(1), 44-47.

Pramesti, K. D., Meisya, N. I., & Amrillah, R. (2024). Relevansi lulusan perguruan tinggi dengan dunia kerja. An Najah (Jurnal Pendidikan Islam dan Sosial Keagamaan), 3(4), 236-243.

Rofiq, M. A., Ningsih, N. K., Handoko, P., & Uswah, U. (2025). Analisis Persepsi Mahasiswa terhadap microcredentials sebagai Sarana pengembangan kompetensi pembelajaran seumur hidup di Indonesia. Jurnal Belaindika: Pembelajaran dan Inovasi Pendidikan, 7(2), 342-251.

Ruminar, H., Kuswandi, D., & Fajarianto, O. (2025). Kredensial mikro dalam spektrum teknologi pendidikan: implementasi dan keselarasan dengan definisi AECT. Institutio: Jurnal Pendidikan Agama Kristen, 11(2), 58-66.

Selvaratnam, R., & Sankey, M. (2021). An integrative literature review of the implementation of micro-credentials in higher education: Implications for practice in Australasia. Journal of Teaching and Learning for Graduate Employability, 12(1), 1-17.

Stefany, S., Purba, H., Suhendro, A., & Banjarnahor, E. (2023). Implementasi mikrokredensial di Indonesia: Mengukur penerimaan teknologi mahasiswa. Polyglot: Jurnal Ilmiah, 19(1), 135-154.

Tallo, M. A., & FoEh, J. E. (2025). Pengaruh kompetensi manajerial, kesenjangan kompetensi dan pengalaman pelatihan terhadap kinerja pegawai dengan motivasi kerja sebagai variabel mediasi: Sebuah kajian pustaka. Jurnal Kajian Ilmiah, 25(2), 227-240.

Varadarajan, S., Koh, J. H. L., & Daniel, B. K. (2023). A systematic review of the opportunities and challenges of micro-credentials for multiple stakeholders: Learners, employers, higher education institutions and government. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 20(1), 1-24.

Wibowo, N. (2016). Upaya memperkecil kesenjangan kompetensi lulusan sekolah menengah kejuruan dengan tuntutan dunia industri. Jurnal Pendidikan Teknologi dan Kejuruan, 23(1), 45-59.

Xiao, Y., & Watson, M. (2019). Guidance on conducting a systematic literature review. Journal of Planning Education and Research, 39(1), 93-112.