Hi Guilherme, how are you? This is Bruna Nunes from the press office of Coursera, the world’s largest online course platform.
Coursera has just launched the 2025 Microcredentials Impact Report (i.e., short courses). We had some very interesting insights from Brazil, including:
– All employers (100%) are already using or exploring skills-based hiring, with many highlighting the need for robust accreditation frameworks to ensure consistent quality.
– 95% of Brazilian employers say they are more likely to hire candidates with credentials that offer academic credits than those without such credentials.
– 95% of Brazilian employers state that microcredentials strengthen a professional’s application.
– 97% of employers hired at least one professional with a microcredential in the past year.
– 94% of employers are willing to offer higher starting salaries to professionals with microcredentials, with even greater incentives for those offering academic credits or focused on generative AI (GenAI).
– 98% of employers saved on training costs for entry-level hires with relevant microcredentials, with most reporting savings of up to 20%.
– In Brazil, UX Design emerged as a high-demand skill—just behind GenAI and Cybersecurity.
– The most sought-after skills in Brazil in 2024 were: Generative AI, Data Strategy, Digital Marketing & E-Commerce
– Top 3 most sought-after courses on Coursera by Brazilians: Google’s Professional Certificate in Digital Marketing & E-Commerce, IBM’s Professional Certificate in Data Engineering, DeepLearning.AI’s Generative AI for Software Development Skill Certificate
I’m forwarding the press release with more details. If you’d like to speak with our spokesperson, just let me know. Are you interested in covering this story?
Thank you!
[Pesquisa] 94% dos empregadores oferecem salários iniciais mais altos a candidatos com microcredenciais em GenAI segundo Coursera
New Coursera report highlights increased demand for microcredentials, AI-driven hiring changes, and the growing impact of these certifications on transforming Brazil’s workforce
São Paulo, May 2025: Skills-based hiring is accelerating in Brazil, with 100% of Brazilian employers already adopting or exploring this approach to address talent shortages, according to the 2025 Microcredentials Impact Report, from Coursera. The report reveals that microcredentials are becoming an essential tool to enable this shift, with 97% of Brazilian employers already hiring candidates who have them. Nearly all (95%) Brazilian employers are more likely to hire candidates with microcredentials in generative AI (GenAI) over those without—one of the highest levels of preference for these skills in Latin America.
Based on insights from over 2,000 employers and students globally, including Brazil, the report highlights the growing demand for microcredentials and their practical impact. Most Brazilian employers (94%) are willing to offer higher starting salaries to candidates with these certifications—one of the highest percentages worldwide. Among those who have hired candidates with microcredentials, 98% reported actual savings in training costs in the first year, with most pointing to reductions of up to 20%.
These findings align with Brazilian universities’ growing commitment to skills-based education. More institutions are offering microcredentials aligned with industry needs, allowing students to earn credits for industry-recognized certifications and apply them to their degree programs—bridging academic learning with workplace skills. As Brazil advances its digital transformation and the global race for AI literacy intensifies, this approach becomes increasingly critical to closing the country’s tech skills gap. Students are responding to this shift: across Latin America, learners are 3.7 times more likely to enroll in degree programs when microcredentials offering credits or focused on GenAI are available.
“With virtually all Brazilian employers now prioritizing GenAI and microcredentials in hiring decisions, the shift to skills-based hiring is no longer a trend—it’s a reality, with microcredentials influencing hiring decisions, employability outcomes, and workplace productivity,” said Marni Baker Stein, Chief Content Officer at Coursera. “With this growing momentum around skills-based education, students and employers are signaling that universities must accelerate the integration of industry-aligned microcredentials to ensure graduates are prepared for the demands of the modern workforce.”
Key findings in Brazil:
Evidence of Generative AI (GenAI) skills is a priority for Brazilian employers when making hiring decisions:
- 95% prefer a less experienced candidate with GenAI certification over a more experienced one without this qualification
- 99% want universities to train professionals with GenAI skills for entry-level roles
- 96% say GenAI will provide a strategic advantage for their organizations
Brazilian employers are adopting microcredentials for hiring and training:
- 95% say microcredentials strengthen a professional’s application
- 93% agree that graduates with microcredentials are job-ready
- 98% are willing to train their current workforce with microcredentials
- 95% prefer to hire candidates with certifications offering academic credits
Microcredentials are influencing choices and outcomes for Brazilian students:
- 1 in 3 Brazilian students has already earned a microcredential
- The likelihood of enrolling in a degree program jumps from 24% (when no microcredential is offered) to 88% when microcredentials are available. This likelihood increases further when microcredentials offer credits or teach GenAI skills
- 94% believe earning a microcredential will help them succeed at work
As Brazil aims to become a global hub for skilled digital talent, Coursera’s Microcredentials Impact Report provides the strongest evidence yet that these certifications are helping bridge skills gaps, reduce hiring risks, and accelerate workforce transformation. To download the full report and explore key findings, click here.
Methodology
Coursera’s 2025 Microcredentials Impact Report is based on two global surveys conducted between December 2024 and January 2025, gathering insights from over 1,000 employers and 1,200 students across ten countries: United States, United Kingdom, Brazil, France, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, and Turkey. Employers shared their views on hiring trends, ROI, and salary differentials for microcredentials, while students reported their motivations, career impacts, and preferences for academic credits.
