The Micro-CVET project: Continuing vocational training link to microcredentials

Policy development
Practical measure/Initiative
Greece
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Timeline
  • 2023Approved/Agreed
  • 2024Implementation
ID number
48572

Background

A brief overview of the context and rationale of the policy development, explaining why it is implemented or why it is important.

Rapid societal and labour market changes, accelerated by the digital and green transitions and the aftermath of COVID-19, have widened the gap between formal education and evolving skill demands. Businesses struggle with skill shortages, while workers face shifting job requirements and new forms of work organisation.

To adapt, individuals need flexible, accessible, and targeted learning opportunities that support continuous upskilling and reskilling. Traditional education systems must become more adaptable, incorporating learner-centred approaches and collaborating with non-formal providers.

Micro-credentials offer a solution by certifying small, tailored learning experiences, allowing individuals to acquire specific skills needed for career transitions and lifelong learning. They complement, rather than replace, traditional qualifications, ensuring a more responsive and inclusive education and training system.

Objectives

Goals and objectives of the policy development.

The main objectives of the Micro-CVET proposal are as follows:

  1. conduct research to investigate, analyse, and evaluate the current landscape and best practices regarding micro-credentials policies and various approaches at the EU and international levels. Also, conduct desk research on current national legislation related to CVET;
  2. engage the relevant ministries, social partners, VET provider associations, and other stakeholders in a fact-finding process to discuss the national implications and expected outcomes of adopting micro-credentials in lifelong learning;
  3. draft an outline of a proposed approach for adopting micro-credentials within the Hellenic CVET context;
  4. finalise the draft proposal on linking micro-credentials to CVET, taking into account desk research and consultation findings. The final draft and its components will be the main focus of a targeted Peer Review, engaging NRPs with substantial experience in integrating micro-credentials into their national lifelong learning and adult education frameworks, as well as their National Qualifications Frameworks.

Description

What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.

The National Organisation for the Certification of Qualifications and Vocational Guidance (EOPPEP) represents Greece in various EU initiatives and networks. As the National Reference Point (NRP) of the European Network of Quality Assurance in VET (EQAVET), EOPPEP actively participates in Erasmus+ funded projects specifically designed for EQAVET NRPs.

In its role as an EQAVET NRP, EOPPEP is authorised to implement the Erasmus+ project, Continuing Vocational Training Link to Microcredentials (Micro-CVET). The approved proposal directly addresses the five objectives of the ERASMUS-EDU-2023-EQAVET-IBA Call, focusing on:

  1. launching a national initiative to implement and further exploit the EQAVET Framework in shaping a structured approach to micro-credentials;
  2. mobilising and engaging national stakeholders in a dialogue on integrating micro-credentials into the national CVET ecosystem;
  3. enhancing national quality assurance by conducting a holistic review of the CVET system;
  4. responding to evolving labour market demands, including the increasing need for digital and green skills development in the workforce;
  5. engaging experienced EU peers in micro-credentials development to review and evaluate the proposed national approach.
2023
Approved/Agreed

On 31 May 2023, it was announced that the proposal had been approved Subsequently, a grant agreement was officially signed and came into force on 26 June 2023, establishing 1 September 2023 as the project's start date.

2024
Implementation

During 2024, the following deliverables have been developed: a project management plan, a quality and evaluation plan, a risk management handbook, and a dissemination plan. Additionally, a Compendium of Best Practices in Microcredentials is set to be completed by the end of 2024.

The Compendium aims to systematically present best practices and success stories related to the integration of microcredentials into national qualification frameworks and VET systems. Its primary goal is to compile and structure all relevant and useful information on the topic, acknowledging that microcredentials remain a new and largely unexplored area that requires initial tracking and documentation.

Bodies responsible

This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
  • National Organisation for Certification of Qualifications and Vocational Guidance (EOPPEP)

Target groups

Those who are positively and directly affected by the measures of the policy development; those on the list are specifically defined in the EU VET policy documents. A policy development can be addressed to one or several target groups.

Learners

  • Young people (15-29 years old)
  • Young people not in employment, education or training (NEETs)
  • Adult learners

Thematic categories

Thematic categories capture main aspects of the decision-making and operation of national VET and LLL systems. These broad areas represent key elements that all VET and LLL systems have to different extents and in different combinations, and which come into focus depending on the EU and national priorities. Thematic categories are further divided into thematic sub-categories. Based on their description, policy developments can be assigned to one or several thematic categories.

Transparency and portability of VET skills and qualifications

European principles and tools, such as EQF, ESCO, ECTS, Europass and ECVET, provide a strong basis for transparency and portability of national and sectoral qualifications across Europe, including the issuing of digital diplomas and certificates.

This thematic category looks at how individuals are supported in transferring, accumulating, and validating skills and competences acquired in formal, non-formal and informal settings – including learning on the job – and in having their learning recognised towards a qualification at any point of their lives. This is only possible if qualifications are transparent and comparable and are part of comprehensive national qualifications frameworks. Availability of qualifications smaller than full and acquirable in shorter periods of time is necessary; some countries have recently worked on developing partial qualifications, microcredentials, etc.

Developing and applying qualifications smaller/shorter than full

This thematic sub-category refers to the development and implementation of qualifications  that are smaller than full qualifications (alternative credentials) or are acquired in a shorter learning experience. It includes microcredentials, partial qualifications, units of learning outcomes (ECVET principle), digital badges, etc. These are owned by learners and can be combined or not to get a full qualification.

Subsystem

Part of the vocational education and training and lifelong learning systems the policy development applies to.
CVET

Further reading

Sources for further reading where readers can find more information on policy developments: links to official documents, dedicated websites, project pages. Some sources may only be available in national languages.
Information on the approval of the proposal of the joint-funded project 'Continuing Vocational Training link to Micro-Credentials' (Micro-CVET)

Country

Greece

Type of development

Policy developments are divided into three types: strategy/action plan; regulation/legislation; and practical measure/initiative.
Practical measure/Initiative
Cite as

Cedefop, & ReferNet. (2025). The Micro-CVET project: Continuing vocational training link to microcredentials: Greece. In Cedefop, & ReferNet. (2025). Timeline of VET policies in Europe (2024 update) [Online tool].

https://www.cedefop.europa.eu/en/tools/timeline-vet-policies-europe/search/48572