MICROIDEA Study Visit to Sri Lanka

In January 2026, we travelled to Sri Lanka as partner of the MICROIDEA Project to expand the project’s outreach beyond Europe and initiate dialogue with key stakeholders in a third-country context. Our mission was clear: to introduce MICROIDEA, promote EU good practices in micro-credentials and skills certification, and explore how structured recognition systems can support safe and transparent labour mobility across regions.

We see this international dimension as essential. Skills mobility is no longer a regional matter; it is a global reality. By engaging directly with institutions and authorities in Sri Lanka, we aimed to build bridges between European methodologies and local systems, while also learning from their established practices.

Engaging with Labour and Social Partners

Our first meeting took place with the Free Trade Zones & General Services Employees Union (FTZ&GSEU) in Colombo. This exchange gave us valuable insight into the realities of workers and labour migration from Sri Lanka.

During this discussion, we explored:

• The challenges faced by workers seeking employment abroad
• The importance of transparent and trustworthy certification systems
• The need for alignment between training outcomes and international labour market expectations
• Worker protection mechanisms within mobility processes

This meeting reinforced one of MICROIDEA’s core principles: skills recognition must serve people. Certification frameworks are not only technical tools—they are instruments that can protect workers, increase opportunities, and ensure fair mobility.

Understanding the Vocational Education and Training Landscape

A key part of our visit was our engagement with Nipunatha Piyasa, a Vocational Education and Training centre in Colombo. There, we discussed the structure of vocational programmes, certification pathways, and the relationship between training institutions and employers.

Our dialogue focused on how the MICROIDEA approach could complement existing systems by:

• Introducing modular, flexible micro-credential structures
• Supporting lifelong learning and upskilling opportunities
• Enhancing transparency of learning outcomes
• Facilitating comparability with international qualification frameworks

At the same time, we gained important insights into Sri Lanka’s VET ecosystem and the way practical training is integrated into formal education. The exchange was mutually enriching and opened possibilities for continued cooperation.

Labour Mobility and Overseas Employment Structures

We also met with the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE), as well as with ALFEA, a labour recruitment agency, to better understand how overseas employment is structured and regulated.

These meetings allowed us to explore:

• Pre-departure training requirements
• Certification verification processes
• Skills documentation systems
• Regulatory mechanisms for managing outbound labour mobility

Dialogue at Policy Level

Our visit concluded with a meeting at the Ministry of Labor. At a policy level it was particularly important, as it allowed us to discuss broader regulatory frameworks and potential institutional collaboration. We exchanged views on quality assurance mechanisms, national qualification systems, recognition of prior learning and opportunities for international cooperation.

These discussions demonstrated strong interest in continued dialogue and highlighted the relevance of European experiences in micro-credential development and certification transparency.

Building Bridges Beyond Europe

For us, this study visit was more than an international mission—it was a strategic step toward strengthening global skills connectivity.

Through meetings with trade unions, VET providers, labour agencies, and public authorities, we:

• Introduced the MICROIDEA methodology to key third-country stakeholders
• Shared EU good practices on micro-credentials and certification systems
• Explored opportunities for structured cooperation
• Strengthened international dialogue on safe and transparent labour mobility

The experience reaffirmed our commitment to promoting inclusive, high-quality skills ecosystems both within and beyond Europe. By building bridges across regions, we contribute to a future where skills are clearly documented, fairly recognised, and globally valued.