Microcredentials for labour market education and training

The project provides a better understanding of the role microcredentials play in supporting labour market-related and employment-relevant education, training and learning. The first phase of the project (2020-23) offered new knowledge about the characteristics of microcredentials, their added value for individual learners and employees, as well as their impact on existing qualifications and recognition systems. The current research phase (2025-27) is looking at microcredentials emerging outside formal education and training systems, focusing on specific labour market sectors and independent initiatives of companies and professional bodies.

Why focus on microcredentials?

While qualifications and degrees from initial education and training play a key role in Europe, alternative credentials (including digital badges, microcredentials, nano-credentials, minor awards, etc.), are increasingly seen as a way of adding to, and/or reforming, existing qualifications systems.

Microcredentials are not a new phenomenon. Education and training institutions, alternative providers and companies have been offering them for a long time. What is new is (a) an increasing use of the term, which encompasses many different concepts for short learning and training provision, and (b) a desire to standardise their features to improve their quality, recognition, portability, relevance, and use.

These small units of learning are seen as complementing formal education and qualifications systems by offering targeted training in a flexible way and addressing labour market needs in a timely manner. This explains the high interest in microcredentials among education and training stakeholders, and from the business community. They are frequently portrayed and promoted as a new way for individuals to build their own skills profile (portfolio) by collecting and ‘stacking’ learning in a flexible way, at their own pace and according to their specific priorities.

Microcredentials in the political context

The increasing attention given to microcredentials is demonstrated in the 2020 EU Skills Agenda, which sees developments in this area as directly supporting adult upskilling and reskilling policies. The 2022 EU Council recommendation on a European approach to microcredentials for lifelong learning and employability also mentions that they ‘can be used to complement and enhance education, training, lifelong learning and employability ecosystems’. In this context, EU Member States are urged to facilitate the ongoing and emerging development of microcredentials in formal, non-formal, and informal learning settings.

However, the microcredential landscape is quite diverse across national contexts, so more clarity and coherence are needed to develop a clear understanding of their purpose and content in labour market-related education and training.

Aim of the project

To address the limited evidence available on the general labour market value of microcredentials, Cedefop launched a second research study on the role of microcredentials in facilitating learning for employment, as part of its Future of VET agenda.

The first part will focus on exploring the diversity (profile and function) of microcredentials outside formal education and training, emphasising the role of quality assurance and recognition.
The second part of the study seeks to position microcredentials in relation to specific labour market sectors.
The third part of the study will analyse the potential use and accessibility of microcredentials for social inclusion of end-users, notably disadvantaged groups or individuals (learners and workers).

The new study will attempt to deepen the knowledge gained from the first study by extending the case study approach to more countries and labour market sectors.

Since 2020, Cedefop has also embarked on a global discussion on microcredentials, engaging with international experts from UNESCO, the ETF, the ILO, South Africa, New Zealand and the USA.

Events promoting microcredentials in facilitating learning for employment

A dedicated workshop is planned for October 2025, involving key stakeholders (policymakers, social partners, experts and researchers) from education and training, industry and beyond. Participants will be informed about the emerging role of microcredentials in supporting labour market-related and employment-relevant education, training and learning during the plenary and interactive breakout sessions.

Information on registration details will be published soon.

Presentations