Spain has developed a practical approach to short-form credentials through its Catalogue of Training Specialties, managed by SEPE, the national public employment service. Although Spain does not yet have a standalone micro-credential framework, its training system already supports fast, targeted upskilling in areas such as electric and connected vehicles.
The Catalogue of Training Specialties
Spain has expanded training for the electric and connected vehicle sector in recent years. Since 2018, 26 courses related to electric, hybrid, or connected vehicles have been added to the catalogue.
These courses vary widely in length:
- from 8 hours to 575 hours
- with a median duration of 40 hours
Topics include:
- high-voltage systems in electric and hybrid vehicles
- diagnostics and maintenance of electric powertrains
- connected vehicle technologies and ADAS
- battery technology
These courses are designed to help existing automotive technicians update their skills without returning to full formal education.
Upskilling Teachers and Trainers
An important feature of the Spanish system is its focus on training teachers and trainers. Spain has created specialties that help vocational educators gain the knowledge and practical skills needed to teach electric and connected vehicle topics.
This strengthens the system because trained educators can then pass updated knowledge on to a larger number of workers.
Strengths and Limitations
Spain’s model has clear advantages, but also some limits.
Strengths:
- Flexible and fast to deploy, making it easier to respond to technological change
- Strongly linked to sector needs, especially in automotive upskilling
- Modular in structure, which supports short, targeted learning
Limitations:
- Limited formal recognition, because these specialties sit outside the formal qualifications framework
- Weak cross-border portability, because they are not formally linked to EQF levels
- No integrated digital credential system, such as digital badges or Europass-style digital credentials
Relation to European Micro-Credentials
Spain’s training specialties already share several features with the European approach to micro-credentials. They are short, focused on specific competences, and designed for labour market relevance.
However, fuller alignment would require:
- formal assignment of EQF levels
- integration with digital credential infrastructure
- quality assurance mechanisms aligned with European frameworks
- clearer learning outcomes linked to European transparency tools
Conclusion
Spain’s Catalogue of Training Specialties is a practical and sector-driven model for short-form credentialing, especially in the automotive sector’s green transition. Its strength lies in its speed, flexibility, and responsiveness to industry needs.
The main challenge now is to strengthen recognition, develop digital infrastructure, and improve cross-border portability as European micro-credential systems continue to develop.