Partners launch the pilot phase and drive forward Europe’s next generation of microcredentials
MICROIDEA is an Erasmus+ Forward-Looking project that aims to design and implement an innovative microcredential system aligned with ISO/IEC 17024, supporting more flexible, targeted, and labour-market-relevant learning opportunities across Europe. The project introduces a methodology that balances national certification systems with international standards, ensuring that microcredentials remain applicable across sectors, countries, and diverse learner groups. As part of its pilot phase, MICROIDEA focuses on the tourism sector, developing and testing a core curriculum and microcredential pathway for the occupation of the waiter in Greece, Cyprus, and Spain. The initiative also includes the creation of an open-access tool for skills-needs analysis and strong emphasis on dissemination to ensure long-term sustainability.
4th Transnational Project Meeting – Reus, Spain (12–14 November)
The consortium held its 4th Transnational Project Meeting in Reus, hosted by DomSpain, bringing partners together to evaluate ongoing work and plan the next implementation steps. The meeting centred on the advancement of the pilot testing phase for the project’s core curriculum and microcredentials for the waiter profession in the tourism sector. We have also reviewed and internally tested our AI Tool which will link our core curriculum and microcredentials modules with prospective students depending on their skill gaps.
Partners from Greece, Cyprus, Spain, Poland and Belgium reviewed the pilot structure, validation tools, and learner involvement strategy. The meeting strengthened technical coordination and ensured that the upcoming pilot rollout reflects labour-market needs, sector realities, and the principles of quality assurance in VET.
International Conference: “Microcredentials in VET”
In parallel with the project meeting, the DomSpain with the support of the consortium organised the international hybrid conference “Microcredentials in VET: Opportunities for Employers and Employees, VET Centres, and Business Support Organisations.” The conference brought together policy-makers, employers, VET providers, trainers, and learners to explore the growing role of microcredentials in supporting skills development, employability, and lifelong learning.
The programme featured a plenary session with insights from European policy and industry actors, followed by a round table discussion with VET representatives and learners from Spain, Greece, and Cyprus. Discussions focused on national realities, challenges in recognition and validation of skills, and opportunities for collaboration between education providers and employers.
We played a notable role in the event, moderating two panel discussions and contributing expertise to the dialogue on VET innovation and skills certification. Our first panel discussion focused on the challenges and opportunities for recognition of skills/certifications in the context of Cyprus, with Mr Andreas Alexi from the Chamber of Commenrce and Industry in Cyprus and Mrs Stella Philippou Senior Officer at the Human Resources Development Authority providing valuable insights. The second panel discussion focused on the actual training gaps bringing together employers, VET trainers and VET trainees: Mr Fanos Levendis (President of PASIKA), Mr Loizos Sourouppis (Food and Beverage Service Instructor) and Mr Michalis Charalambous, respectively.
MICROIDEA continues its mission to strengthen recognition and validation of learning outcomes across Europe, promoting flexible, transparent, and inclusive pathways that respond to evolving labour-market needs. The results of the pilot testing will guide the refinement of the microcredential system and support its potential transferability to additional sectors.