The European Commission has launched a public consultation set to last for 12 weeks, on the European approach to micro-credentials for lifelong learning and employability.
This joint initiative led by Mariya Gabriel, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, and Nicolas Schmit, Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, will support the uptake of high-quality short learning courses, ultimately leading to micro-credentials. By establishing a widespread European approach, opportunities will be substantially more available across the region, making lifelong learning a practicable norm.
Commissioner Gabriel highlighted that learning opportunities should be “flexible, modular and accessible to anyone wanting to develop their competences”, so as to adapt to the needs of individuals and make lifelong learning a reality. Commissioner Schmit added that “as Member States strive to meet the target of 60% of adults in annual training set by the European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan, we need to make learning as user-centric as possible”. This is essential for making opportunities accessible and useful to Europeans, ensuring that they will be recognised across the European market.
Increasingly, citizens across Europe need to update their knowledge, skills and competences to fill gaps between their formal education and the needs of a constantly evolving society and labour market. Short and flexible learning courses offered by diverse public and private stakeholders are developing rapidly across Europe in response to the need for learner-centred forms of education and training. In this way, we can meet both the needs of the market and of users, to ensure lifelong learning and innovation continues.
The public consultation will be open until 13 July 2021 at 23:59 (CEST).
© European Union, 2020
