In Ontario’s public sector, one thing is clear: the work is evolving, and so are the skills needed to lead it. Whether you’re on the front lines of care or supporting system design behind the scenes, staying current isn’t just a professional responsibility—it’s a career advantage.
The Ontario public service is evolving to provide more opportunities for civil servants to upgrade their skills. In this article, we’ll be zooming in on one such program helping public service workers on the front-line level-up: micro-credentials.
Micro-credentials are short, targeted programs that help professionals quickly update or validate specific skills. For those in public service, they offer a practical way to stay relevant, respond to emerging needs, and take ownership of career growth, without the time or cost of a full degree.
Micro-credential programs are increasingly being introduced across the public service, driven in part by the Ontario Micro-credentials Challenge Fund—a provincial initiative that supports fast, focused training aligned with industry and public sector needs. One standout example made possible through this fund is a new program from Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) designed for medical professionals.
Launching this May, Clinical Teaching Skills for Academic Clinicians is a micro-certification program aimed at healthcare professionals who want to build their teaching and clinical education skills. It’s flexible, focused, and directly aligned with the needs of Ontario’s growing healthcare system. Courses include Culturally Competent Communication Skills in Clinical Education, Providing Feedback to Learners in the Clinical Environment, and Teaching in the Clinical Setting – Bedside, Clinic and Procedural, among others.
This kind of targeted training, enabled by the Ontario Micro-credentials Challenge Fund, reflects a broader shift in how public sector professionals are upskilling—through bite-sized, relevant programs that fit into busy schedules and deliver real career impact.
“Since we’re starting a medical school, we want to make sure our faculty has the resources to be competent and confident in their teaching,” says Dr. Teresa Chan, founding dean of TMU’s School of Medicine. “Medical schools are popping up across Canada, and more medical professionals are entering the field. We want to make sure they have access to high-quality training so they can up their game.”
The micro-certification format is designed for real-world demands. It breaks learning into smaller components, helping professionals assess whether clinical instruction is a path they want to pursue further.
“As a dean, I know that as we head into a new era, we need to find new ways of delivering continuing education,” Dr. Chan adds. “Having these bite-sized components allows people to know whether or not they want to pursue clinical education more.”
By supporting programs like this, the Ontario Micro-credentials Challenge Fund is helping to modernize professional development across the public service.Learn more about the fund.
“We’re hoping to see continued growth — 40 to 60 MDs and other healthcare professionals participate in the full program,” says Jen Gordon, Program Director at TMU’s G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education. One nurse who completed the pilot said it “expanded their educational toolkit for clinical instruction.”
For public service professionals—especially those in healthcare, policy, or education—programs like this aren’t just about credentials. They’re about unlocking new career pathways, developing leadership capacity, and staying relevant in a rapidly shifting environment.
Micro-credentials are a smart starting point for anyone looking to grow their skills, expand their impact, or explore new roles. These flexible, targeted programs are helping public service professionals stay current and confident in a rapidly evolving landscape.
If you know of a great program—within or beyond your organization—that could benefit others, we’d love to hear about it and share it with our members. Send us a note at communications@applaudpublicservice.ca.