Introducing micro-credentials to the digital era of VET

The EU introduced the concept of micro-credentials as a “proof of the learning outcomes that a learner has acquired following a short, transparently-assessed learning experience”. The benefits of ...

The Project has foreseen to: - Improve the quality and attractiveness of VET and training in general, through the provision of flexible, inclusive and highly applicable training offers that correspond to contemporary needs of learners/trainees. - Familiarise VET and training providers in general with the micro-credential approach so as to incorporate it to their regular training provisions. - Build the capacity of trainers and training providers to uptake new, innovative approaches for the development and delivery of training, as well as for the validation of learning outcomes. - Support the professional development and employability potential of learners/trainees through the provision of free, microVET courses. - Reinforce cooperation of training providers and the labour market actors to better identify skill gaps and shortages and address them through targeted training offers linked to micro-credentials. - Strengthen transnational, cross sectoral cooperation for the identification of common solutions to European challenges. - Promote the uptake of European tools for the recognition and validation of skills and competences, as well as the wider utilisation of open online resources.

The elaboration of a methodology for the development of microVET courses linked to micro-credentials has familiarised VET and training providers in general with the micro-credential approach so as to incorporate it to their regular training provisions. Through the utilisation of the methodology, trainers and other staff of training organisations have built their skills in digital content creation, quality assurance, validation of results, etc. The development of a framework for micro-credential ambassadors has contributed to building the capacity of the project. The microVET courses have been hosted in the microVET Repository that offers open access to inclusive training opportunities, in combination with the attribution of digital micro-credentials for free. All training content included therein is available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Share Alike license, promoting the wider utilisation of open online resources. - The establishment of the European Alliance for Microcredentials has strengthened transnational, cross sectoral cooperation for the identification of common solutions to European challenges. - The organisation of multiplier events has contributed not only to the dissemination of the Project’s final results, but also to showcase their applicability to contemporary needs of target groups and highlight their significance to the transition of more innovative training and validation approaches.

Outcomes: - A current status study report on micro-credentials at national and European level, identifying good practices, needs and shortages and recommending common action. - A methodology for the development of microVET courses linked to micro-credentials with validated learning outcomes has been delivered. - A framework for micro-credential ambassadors prepared to transit to the micro-credential digital era, aiming for the incorporation of micro-credential in regular training provision, as well as communicate the approach to relevant target groups (learners, trainers, etc.). A framework to guide and support micro-credential ambassadors has been delivered and kept updated - The microVET courses, by using the methodology in the microVET Repository, with selected topics on the basis of the need analysis and the experience of organisations. External organisations have also had the opportunity to develop microVET courses and upload them to the Repository, following a verification process in terms of structure, content, and quality. - The microVET Repository: a fully accessible, open online space to host the microVET courses. Upon registration, it offers users the chance to select and attend courses, validate their learning outcomes, and receive a digital attestation of their effort. - The European Alliance for Microcredentials: Its main aim is to encourage and motivate organisations and individuals to transit to more innovative approaches for training and validation of acquired skills, incorporate microcredentials to their training provision and better address the needs of their target groups.