Hi Guilherme, how are you? This is Bruna Nunes from Coursera's press office, the world's largest online course platform.
Coursera has just released the 2025 Micro-credentials Impact Report (i.e., short courses). We had very cool insights from Brazil, some of them:
- All employers (100%) are already using or exploring competency-based hiring, with many emphasizing the need for robust accreditation frameworks to ensure consistent quality.
- 95% of Brazilian employers say they are more likely to hire candidates with academic credentials that offer academic credits than those without such credentials.
- 95% of Brazilian employers state that micro-credentials strengthen a professional's candidacy.
- 97% of employers hired at least one professional with a micro-credential in the last year.
- 94% of employers are willing to offer higher starting salaries to professionals with micro-credentials, with even greater incentives for those that offer academic credits or are focused on generative AI (GenAI).
- 98% of employers saved on training costs for entry-level hires with relevant micro-credentials, 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 searched courses on Coursera by Brazilians: Google Professional Certificate in Digital Marketing & E-Commerce, IBM Professional Certificate in Data Engineering, DeepLearning.AI Generative AI Skills Certificate for Software Development
I am forwarding the release with more details. If you want to talk to our spokesperson, just let me know. Are you interested in the agenda?
Thank you!
[Research] 94% of employers offer higher starting salaries to candidates with micro-credentials in GenAI according to Coursera
New Coursera report highlights increased demand for micro-credentials, hiring changes driven by generative AI, and the growing impact of these certifications on the transformation of the Brazilian workforce
São Paulo, May 2025Hiring based on competencies is accelerating in Brazil, with 100% of Brazilian employers already adopting or exploring this approach to address the talent shortage, according to the2025 Micro-credentials Impact Report, from Coursera. The report reveals that micro-credentials are becoming an essential tool to enable this change, with 97% of Brazilian employers already hiring candidates who possess them. Almost all (95%) Brazilian employers are more likely to hire candidates with micro-credentials in generative AI (GenAI) rather than candidates without them – one of the highest levels of preference for these skills in Latin America.
Based on insights from over 2,000 employers and students worldwide, including Brazil, the report highlights the growing demand for micro-credentials and their practical impact. Most Brazilian employers (94%) are willing to offer higher starting salaries to candidates who hold these certifications – one of the highest percentages in the world. Among those who have hired candidates with micro-credentials, 98% reported real cost savings in training in the first year, with most indicating reductions of up to 20%.
These findings are aligned with the growing commitment of Brazilian universities to competency-based education. More institutions are offering micro-credentials aligned with industry needs, allowing students to earn credits for industry-recognized certifications and apply them to their undergraduate courses – creating a bridge between academic learning and the skills required by the job market. As the country advances in its digital transformation and the global race for AI literacy intensifies, this approach becomes increasingly critical to close Brazil's technological skills gap. Students are responding to this change: throughout Latin America, students are 3.7 times more likely to enroll in degree programs when micro-credentials with credits or focused on GenAI are offered.
"With almost all Brazilian employers now prioritizing GenAI and micro-credentials in hiring decisions, the shift to competency-based hiring is no longer a trend — it is a reality, with micro-credentials influencing hiring decisions, employability outcomes, and workplace productivity," said Marni Baker Stein, Content Director at Coursera. With this growing momentum around competency-based education, students and employers are signaling that universities should accelerate the integration of industry-aligned micro-credentials to ensure students graduate prepared for the demands of the modern job market.
Main discoveries in Brazil:
Evidence of skills in Generative AI (GenAI) 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 that qualification.
- 99% want universities to train professionals with skills in GenAI for entry-level positions
- 96% say that GenAI will provide a strategic advantage for their organizations
Brazilian employers are adopting micro-credentials for hiring and training.
- 95% say that micro-credentials strengthen a professional's candidacy
- 93% agree that graduates with micro-credentials are ready for the job market
- 98% are willing to upskill their current workforce with micro-credentials.
- 95% prefer to hire candidates with certifications that offer academic credits
Micro-credentials are influencing the choices and outcomes of Brazilian students:
- 1 in 3 Brazilian students has already obtained a micro-credential
- The probability of enrolling in an undergraduate course jumps from 24% (when no micro-credential is offered) to 88% when micro-credentials are made available. This probability increases even more when micro-credentials offer credits or teach skills in GenAI.
- 94% believe that obtaining a micro-credential will help them succeed at work
While Brazil seeks to become a global hub of qualified digital talent, theMicro-credentials Impact ReportCoursera provides the strongest evidence to date that these certifications are helping to fill skill gaps, reduce hiring risks, and accelerate workforce transformation. To download the full report and explore the main findings,Click here.
Methodology
THE2025 Micro-credentials Impact ReportCoursera's data is based on two global surveys conducted between December 2024 and January 2025, gathering insights from over 1,000 employers and 1,200 students in ten countries: the United States, the United Kingdom, Brazil, France, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, and Turkey. Employers shared their opinions on hiring trends, return on investment, and differentiated salaries for micro-credentials, while students reported their motivations, career impacts, and preferences for academic credits.
