Objectives
- 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;
- To familiarize VET and training providers in general with the micro-credential approach so as to incorporate it to their regular training provisions;
- To 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;
- To support the professional development and employability potential of learners/trainees through the provision of free, microVET courses;
- To 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.
Activities
- The elaboration of a methodology through the delivery of focus groups with professionals and students from the field of VET for the development of microVET courses linked to micro-credentials that will familiarize VET and training providers in general with the micro-credential approach so as to incorporate it into their regular training provisions;
- The development of a framework for micro-credential ambassadors in order to contribute in building the capacity of training providers and their staff to uptake new, innovative approaches for the development and delivery of training, as well as for the validation of learning outcomes;
- The establishment of a pan-European alliance for micro-credentials to strengthen transnational, cross sectoral cooperation for the identification of common solutions to European challenges. Partners will identify stakeholders within and outside their networks that could contribute to the achievement of the alliance’s objectives and reach them through established dissemination and/or communication means and channels. Members of the alliance along with a short description of their activities, field of expertise, etc. will be presented in a specific part of the Project’s website for both promotional and practical purposes;
- The organization of multiplier events to contribute 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.
Resources
- A state-of-the-art status study report on micro-credentials to understand and assess the current situation in the partner countries related to this topic;
- A methodology for the development of microVET courses linked to micro-credentials: building on the findings and the current status study and the experience and expertise of partners, a methodology for the development and delivery of microVET courses with validated learning outcomes will be delivered;
- A framework for micro-credential ambassadors: VET and training providers in general will be prepared to transit to the micro-credential digital era;
- The microVET courses: The topics will be selected based on the need analysis and the experience of organizations, in particular of the micro-credential ambassadors;
- The microVET Repository: a fully accessible, open online space to host the microVET courses and encourage interaction among users will be developed and kept updated. Upon registration, it will offer user the chance to select and attend the most suitable for their need’s courses, validate the learning outcomes, and receive a digital attestation of their effort;
- The pan-European alliance for micro-credentials: the EU alliance for micro-credentials will be based on mutual support and commitment towards spreading the micro-credential approach.
Impact
- Participants to the project will be able to build their digital skills through targeted training in the development of quality and highly relevant digital content (at least 10 new microVET courses in English to address common EU needs – 10 new microVET courses in national language to address country-specific needs – 10 microVET courses with adjusted content from currently provided courses) and will adapt to current requirements in training during the digital era. Through familiarisation with the micro-credential approach, they will improve their understanding on the significance of skills recognition and validation, thus better realize the needs of their learners. The project aims to reach 200 active users in the microVET Repository;
- As far as participating organizations is concerned, they will adopt innovative approaches (digital and micro-credentials) to better address the needs of their learners and provide them more flexible, tailor-made training opportunities that will result in increased attractiveness of training. By directly corresponding to the needs of their target groups, partner organizations will contribute to bridging the gap between employers’ demands and employees’ offers, hence supporting employment in various sectors and professions. The project aims at 10 MoU signed with organisations (EU alliance for micro-credentials) and 50 members in these alliances;
- Project’s partners will strengthen their transnational cooperation with organisations from different fields, facilitating the exchange of experience and expertise and searching for common solutions to common challenges. Internally, participating organisations will improve their adaptability to the new digital era through the professional upskilling of their staff, while also increase their capacity in transnational projects’ management and implementation;
- All other target groups and stakeholders, including VET and other training organisations and their staff, HEIs, business and commerce chambers, educational and other authorities, employment centres and employers, NGOs, and social partners, will be impacted on multiple levels. Firstly, through familiarisation with digital micro-credentials they will be capable to offer quality, attractive, and inclusive education and training to their diverse target groups, since flexibility is a main characteristic of the concerned approach. As so, VET and training organisations, HEIs, chambers, and NGOs will offer targeted training opportunities according to their audiences’ needs, hence directly address current gaps and shortages.
