Opening Session and Project Progress Review
The first day meeting started with a comprehensive project status update delivered by FGB. This introductory session established the framework for the intensive collaborative work that would follow.
Work Package 3: National Case Studies and Good Practice Mapping
A substantial portion of the first day focused on Work Package 3 (WP3), during which partner organizations presented detailed findings from their respective national case studies and good practice mapping exercises.
Presentation of National Research
Navarra, Samiedu, ATEC, and FGB delivered comprehensive presentations drawing upon interviews and research conducted within their respective countries. The analytical framework centered on five key dimensions of microcredentials:
- Governance structures and regulatory frameworks
- Pedagogical approaches and learning design
- Assessment methodologies and validation processes
- Quality assurance mechanisms and standards
- Financial sustainability models and funding strategies
Through systematic analysis, partners identified critical gaps in current systems, documented innovative practices worthy of replication, and highlighted elements requiring further reflection and development across different national contexts.
Comparative Analysis Against EU Framework
Through a workshop framework, participants engaged in collaborative assessment of each case study against the EU Council Recommendation on Microcredentials, conducting structured analysis to determine:
- Which foundational elements are absent or insufficiently developed within existing systems
- The underlying causes and contextual factors contributing to these shortcomings
- Realistic pathways through which the project can address identified gaps
- Essential stakeholders whose engagement is required for successful implementation
- Specific actions and interventions necessary to strengthen microcredential ecosystems
This analytical session represented a significant milestone in evidence consolidation and directly informed the development of emerging country reports.
Skills Intelligence and System-Level Perspectives
Understanding Enablers and Barriers
Afternoon sessions continued the in-depth exploration of WP3 outcomes, with particular emphasis on understanding the factors that facilitate or impede microcredential uptake from multiple stakeholder perspectives:
- VET providers: Institutional capacity, pedagogical adaptation, and resource requirements
- Employers: Recognition frameworks, workforce development needs, and hiring practices
- System-level authorities: Policy alignment, regulatory frameworks, and quality assurance mechanisms
Regional Skills Intelligence Presentations
Navarra, Samiedu, and ATEC presented initial drafts of Section 5 of their country reports, providing detailed accounts of how skills intelligence is currently utilized within their respective regions, including data sources, analytical methods, and integration with policy-making processes.
Sectoral Skills Intelligence: The ASA Contribution
The Automotive Skills Alliance (ASA) delivered a particularly valuable presentation on its approach to constructing a sectoral skills intelligence system. The presentation illuminated:
- Diverse information sources utilized for labour market analysis
- Challenges encountered in accessing real-time data and maintaining data quality
- Mechanisms established for regular content updates and validation
- Linkages between skills intelligence outputs and labour market trends
This case study provided a concrete, operational example of a functioning skills intelligence ecosystem, offering valuable insights for potential replication or adaptation across other sectors and regions.
Methodological Development and Project Coordination
Work Package 2: Skills Anticipation Methodology
ErreQuadro delivered a presentation focused on Work Package 2 (WP2), dedicated to refining the project’s skills anticipation methodology.
Project Management Committee Session
The first day concluded with a Project Management Committee meeting addressing:
- Work Package 1 (WP1): Project coordination, timeline management, and inter-partner communication
- Work Package 7 (WP7): Dissemination activities, communication strategies, and stakeholder engagement
This session ensured alignment and smooth implementation across all work packages, reinforcing the project’s integrated approach.