Are they boosting digital and green skills for the twin transition?
Micro-credentials have gained significant traction within the European Higher Education Area following the 2022 Council Recommendation. Micro-credentials offer flexible, targeted, and accessible learning opportunities, tailored to the needs of lifelong learners, working professionals, and broader demographic groups. They address workforce needs by bridging skill gaps and fostering employability through affordable, industry-recognised programs, thus promoting social equity.
Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) increasingly view micro-credentials as a strategic tool to diversify student populations and broaden societal impact. By leveraging institutional strengths and engaging with employers, HEIs are aligning course offerings with market demands. Among these demands, the dual imperative of digitalization and greenification—known as the twin transition—have become prominent in policy discussions. This raises an essential question: are micro-credential programs effectively addressing the need for digital and green skills?
To explore this, the report adopts a qualitative approach, drawing on interviews with key stakeholders involved in micro-credentials across Member States. The findings reveal that, while micro-credentials hold substantial promise, several challenges remain. These include the need to establish stakeholder consensus on learner needs, secure sustainable funding mechanisms, ensure robust quality assurance, and integrate micro-credentials into broader national priorities.
To address these issues, the report outlines recommendations designed to foster a resilient ecosystem for micro-credential programs within European universities. These recommendations aim to strengthen the alignment of micro-credentials with evolving educational and workforce needs, ensuring their long-term impact and sustainability.
SANCHEZ BARRIOLUENGO Mabel;
BIAGI Federico;
DI PIETRO Giorgio;
2025-06-13
Publications Office of the European Union
JRC142086
978-92-68-27428-6 (online),
OP KJ-01-25-289-EN-N (online),
https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC142086,
10.2760/0157920 (online),
