In a world that is rapidly changing, investing in lifelong learning and flexible learning pathways is swiftly becoming an issue of key importance. Increasing numbers of compact learning opportunities, nowadays called micro-credentials, are being developed across Europe and around the world.

The project partners seek to map and analyze existing institutional qualifications for continuing education and professional development (CEPD) and microcredentials in the partnership in relation to assumed learners’ aspirations and motivations. In the following report, we describe the partners’ institutional frameworks for nonstandard programs and analyze them against the backdrop of the most relevant definitions of micro-credentials. In the second step, we concentrate on learners’ motivations as assumed by the partners.

After a general introduction about Micro-credentials, document contextualization and scope, this document presents the case studies collection template developed for this report. This section introduces criteria used for defining the template, based on E-SLP project results and on the EC proposal for Council Recommendation on Micro-credentials. The section presents the final template elaborated for the collection of the case studies from partner universities within the consortium. Lastly, the results of the analysis of the data collected by 10 different Higher Education Institutions partner of MCE project (19 cases collected) are presented. The section highlights recurring characteristics of the short programs / micro-credentials / continuous professional development certificates provided by partner HEIs.

With the EU Council Recommendation on Micro-Credentials, the European Union has laid an important foundation for the future development of micro-credentials and thus for lifelong learning and professional development in Europe. The Recommendation seeks to support the development, implementation, and recognition of micro-credentials across institutions, businesses, sectors, and borders by setting common European standards.

From November 28^th to November 30^th, EADTU has organised the Empower webinar week in which MCE’s project partners are contributing by putting the European approach to micro-credentials in context. Specifically, there will be inputs from (1) Mareike Weiß (International Office, FernUniversität in Hagen) on the institutional policies on Micro-Credentials (results from WP3); (2) Diogo Casa Nova (vice- rector at Universidade Aberta, WP6 leader) on the adoption of the European approach to microcredentials in a Portuguese context; and (3) Carles Bruguera Trabal & Maria Carmen Page-Serra who will present the results of our meta-research study carried out within WP2 on the learners’ perspective on micro-credentials formats and learning services for continuing education.

The aim of the event is to share expertise and help European institutions in taking important steps towards high-quality, recognized micro-credentials. In each session, there will be time reserved for reflection and questions from the participants.

Register soon via this link: https://www.eventbrite.nl/e/microcredentials-in-context-webinar-week-tickets-463558545087

On Wednesday, the 19th of October 2022, the MCE partners got the opportunity to meet in person, for the first time, during the I-HE2022 conference, in Athens, Greece.

The partners came together to discuss the latest activities concerning the project, focusing on both ongoing activities and upcoming ones.

Particular attention was given to the upcoming focus group to be carried out within WP2, under the lead of UOC, and to the organization of the Pilots that will run next year under the lead of UNED and UNINETTUNO (WP5).

The consortium is ready to deliver the first project outcome: “D2.1 Meta-research on the learner perspective on micro-credential formats and learning services for continuing education and professional development”, and many others are approaching. Therefore, stay tuned and follow up on our progress #MCE_microcredentials.

Serious news on April Fool’s: MCE project takes off! 3years ErasmusPlus project coordinated by EADTU aimed at identifying the learners' perspective; developing HEIs strategy evidence for policies to develop framework and procedures for the modularization of higher education.  

MCE-stands for Modular Continuing Higher Education by Micro-credentials.  It involves 10 partners and 3 associated for the next 3 years. The project aims to further conceptualize micro-credentials, adding also the learners' perspective on modularization and micro-credentialing as a core dimension, so far underexposed. The project is thereafter focusing on institutional development in alignment with European and national frameworks for micro-credentials. Do you want to know more, stay tuned then #MCE_microcredentials

On January 18th, 2022, the MCE consortium meet in preparation of the project kick-off. During this meeting, all partners were introduced and met each other.
MCE stands for Modular Continuing Higher Education by Micro-credentials (MCE). This project in line with the proposal of the council recommendations from the EU Commission aims at providing the opportunity, to each partner and associated institutions, to be pioneers in the sector of micro-credentials, playing a key role in their understanding and development in national and EU levels.  

Council Recommendation on micro-credentials
The Commission has recently published its proposal for a Council Recommendation on micro-credentials, as announced in the Skills Agenda and in the European Education Area Communication of 2020. The Commission proposal seeks to make micro-credentials work across institutions, businesses, sectors, and borders. To that end, Member States should agree on:

• a common definition of micro-credentials;
• standard elements for their description; and
• key principles for their design and issuance.

The European approach to micro-credentials is a key flagship to achieving a European Education Area by 2025.

More can be read in the press release from 10 December 2021.