Deepening the Understanding of Microcredentials: Relevance, Quality, and Inclusion
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As the demand for flexible learning solutions grows, microcredentials—short, targeted learning units—are becoming increasingly popular. Designed to address evolving labour market needs, they help individuals quickly upskill and enhance their employability. However, the lack of standardisation in their design and recognition makes it challenging for both learners and employers to assess their value and credibility.
To address this, the Council Recommendation on a European approach to micro-credentials for lifelong learning and employability (2022) was introduced, promoting high-quality, transparent, and digitally issued microcredentials. The 2025 Communication on ‘The Union of Skills’ further emphasises their importance in fostering workforce adaptability across sectors and countries.
Our Research on Microcredentials
Cedefop has been at the forefront of microcredential research. The first phase (2020–2023) provided insights into their characteristics, value for learners and workers, and impact on existing qualifications and recognition systems. Now, in the second phase (2025–2027) – our framework contract -, the focus shifts to microcredentials emerging outside formal education and training, particularly those developed by companies and professional bodies in specific labour market sectors.
Key Areas of Study
Our current research explores three critical aspects of microcredentials:
- Diversity & Recognition – Understanding the various types of microcredentials beyond formal education, with a focus on quality assurance and recognition.
- Labour Market Relevance – Examining how microcredentials align with the needs of specific industries and occupations.
- Inclusion & Accessibility – Investigating their potential to enhance social inclusion, particularly for disadvantaged groups.
By generating new knowledge on the relevance, quality, and inclusiveness of microcredentials, this project aims to support their wider adoption and ensure they serve as effective, trusted tools for lifelong learning and employability.
The overall project is coordinated by Ockham IPS (NL); 3s is involved as consortium partner, with 3s experts contributing to all three parts of the project and Karin Luomi-Messerer is research team leader of the third part of the study (Inclusion & Accessibility).
Project: Deepening on Microcredentials — labour market sector relevance, quality and inclusion
Contact: Karin Luomi-Messerer
Client: Cedefop
Duration: 2024-2027
