Micro-credentials for lifelong learning and employability: Uses and possibilities

Micro-credentials are increasingly prominent in discussions around education, training and labour market policy. Policymakers, educators and trainers across the world envision micro-credentials to be an innovation with a multitude of potential uses and benefits – a sort of all-purpose solution for the problems confronting education, training and labour market systems – and some have begun to integrate them into existing practice and policy frameworks. This paper outlines their potential applications and benefits.

Brendan O’Malley: UN treaty on qualifications recognition enters into force

The Global Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education will come into force on Sunday 5 March, becoming the first legally binding United Nations instrument on higher education, fostering international mobility and opening up increased opportunities for students and qualification holders worldwide.

This University World News article outlines the convention’s history, rationale and potential significance.

Report from the Commission to the Council on the implementation of the Council Recommendation on promoting automatic mutual recognition of higher education and upper secondary education and training qualifications and the outcomes of learning periods abroad

The Council Recommendation on “promoting automatic mutual recognition of higher education and upper secondary education and training qualifications and the outcomes of learning periods abroad”1 was adopted by the Council on 26 November 2018, based on the Commission proposal of 22 May 2018. It affirms the Commission’s intention to report to the Council within 4 years on the follow-up of the Recommendation, based on Member States’ contributions. Four years after the adoption of the Recommendation, the purpose of this report is to analyse the progress made and the lessons learned so as to have all the steps in place by 2025.

Comparison report of the European Qualifications Framework and the Ukrainian National Qualifications Framework

The report is the result of a pilot project to explore the value of comparing third countries’ national qualifications frameworks (NQF) with the European Qualification Framework (EQF).  It is an important step in facilitating the recognition of qualifications and skills between EU member states and non-member states, improving cross-border career, employment and study opportunities for individuals, and ensuring companies and economies make better use of skills.