Microcredentials in Slovenia, June 11th 2024
Micro-credentials are important for bridging the gap between new knowledge and contemporary sustainability challenges due to their flexibility and quality. They also represent an innovative new tool for lifelong learning and continuous professional development. They can help individuals continuously update their knowledge and skills and adapt to new challenges, agreed the participants of the consultation organized by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia.
"Micro-credentials offer an opportunity to strengthen competencies that are crucial for our economy and society. They respond to the need for quickly accessible and adaptable forms of education that can be directly linked to work processes,"
emphasized Marjana Majerič, Executive Director of the Chamber for Strategic Development and Internationalization. She also pointed out that micro-credentials must be integrated "into our educational system in a way that encompasses the entire vertical – from vocational schools to universities. This requires the adaptation of school curricula as well. Only in this way can we ensure that they truly serve their purpose and contribute to our competitiveness in the global market."
She also touched on the career platform developed by the Chamber. This represents an innovative tool designed specifically to forecast the need for specific competencies in the future. It operates as a model that analyzes labor market trends and predicts which skills and knowledge will be most in demand in the coming years. Lifelong learning and reskilling must become the norm, as they ensure sustainable competitiveness, social justice, and long-term resilience. The EU's knowledge goals for 2030 are 60% of the adult population engaged in training at least once a year, 80% of Europeans with at least basic digital skills, and 20 million ICT specialists, said Isabel Ladron Arroyo from the Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs, and Inclusion at the European Commission. She sees the advantages of micro-credentials in their focus, short duration, and small scope, and their flexibility in how people live, learn, and work. She also spoke about Council recommendations that should make micro-credentials more comparable and understandable.
Micro-credentials involve acquiring specific knowledge tailored to the labor market, the work environment, and the individual. Knowledge is just one, albeit the most important, component of competence, explained Andreja Sever, Director of the Department for Human Resources Development and Education at the Chamber. She detailed the career platform developed by the Chamber and added that the model was tested in competence centers and strategic development and innovation partnerships. She highlighted the importance of cooperation between the economy, researchers, academic science, and educational institutions across the entire vertical. "There is a lot of knowledge in the economy. But we still need much more, and that is why we connect." She was clear that there would be no participants in the training if we did not start from the needs of employers and people. It is also essential to consider the characteristics of the generations already in the labor market and those who are coming when preparing programs. "Only together can we shape a proactive and sustainable model of human resources development that will be quickly responsive and adaptable to changes," she added.
The round table discussion on the needs of the economy and the environment, competencies today and tomorrow, featured Darja Ferčej Temeljotov (Sandoz), Mihael Gornik (Dewesoft), Aleksandra Lepenik (ELPRO Lepenik & Co.), and Suzana Kerec (Employment Service of Slovenia).
