Beyond Europe with Micro-credentials

ongoing

In the partnership of the BEM project, qualification authorities and VET providers from eight countries have joined forces to develop micro-credentials (MC) that address the needs of selected sectors in the countries or target groups that are only marginally covered by the education system. In developing the MC, we are drawing on the principles and existing experience, matrixes and templates gained from piloting ECVET. Our partnership includes EU member states, associated countries, candidate countries and countries that are not members of the EU (Montenegro, Serbia, North Macedonia, Armenia, Georgia, Ukraine, Norway, Germany). Our partnership is designed for long-term networking and cooperation. The labour market relevance of the micro-credentials is ensured through a stock-taking phase and the involvement of relevant stakeholders. The development takes place locally at the VET providers, who also guarantee the adoption of the credentials in their programme. The participating qualification authorities ensure sustainable use of the micro-credentials and initiate processes for their valorisation through accreditation or recognition - depending on the framework conditions in the countries. The developed micro-credentials are suitable for use in initial and further training, they can be provided at school, at the workplace and in higher education. They can be used as stand-alone qualifications or as starting qualifications (VET preparation), as an additional qualification (upskilling), for retraining or for the validation of informal learning. European added value is achieved by mapping the micro-credentials into Skillsbank. Skillsbank is a multilingual platform in which the results (units of learning outcomes) from the many years of European testing of ECVET are stored and made available. The digitalisation of the micro-credentials and their interlinking with individual learning accounts and with Europass also gives the project a European dimension.