TAM Report / Bosnia and Herzegovina - Microcredentials

GENERAL INFORMATION

TAM title: Development, implementation and recognition of micro-credentials - examples of good practice

Type of Event: Seminar

Modality: Online

Country: Bosnia and Herzegovina

Dates: 31 January 2024

Participants: Forty participants including representatives from national and local authorities, higher education agencies, chambers of commerce, employment institutes, universities, HERE BiH and NEO staff, and student organizations.

THEMES COVERED

• Alignment of education with labour market needs through short and flexible learning programs.

• Development of common standards and quality assurance for micro-credentials. 

• Transparency and recognition of qualifications across institutions and sectors. 

• Collaboration among authorities, HEIs, and employers for designing relevant and responsive programs. 

• Integration of micro-credentials into lifelong learning and digital transition strategies. 

• Adherence to European principles and best practices in the development and issuance of micro-credentials. 

• Strengthening cooperation with the secondary education sector to bridge skills gaps and support employability.

KEY OUTCOMES

During the workshop, participants:

• Improved their understanding of micro-credentials, including their purpose, structure, and relevance for modernizing education systems.
• Gained practical insights into implementation, learning how micro-credentials can be applied across different levels of education and aligned with existing frameworks.
• Recognized the importance of stakeholder collaboration, emphasizing inclusive participation and stronger cooperation between education institutions, authorities, and industry.
• Enhanced their awareness of best practices, such as keeping processes simple, ensuring transparency, and fostering shared commitment among all actors involved.

OVERVIEW

The seminar on the development and implementation of micro-credentials in Bosnia and Herzegovina focused on aligning education and training with labour market needs through short, flexible learning programs. Participants emphasized the need for common standards, transparency, and recognition of micro-credentials to ensure their credibility and value. Stronger cooperation among authorities, educational institutions, and employers was identified as essential for designing relevant programs and improving employability.

The discussions highlighted that micro-credentials should follow European principles, support lifelong learning and digital transition, and be based on labour market relevance. While their full adoption in Bosnia and Herzegovina will take time, establishing quality assurance and recognition frameworks was seen as a crucial next step.

THE FOLLOW UP ACTIVITY

Title of the activity: Webinar: Development and implementation of micro-credentials

Dates: 23 April 2024

Audience: 19 participants

Description: The webinar on “Development and Implementation of Micro-Credentials” gathered key stakeholders from Bosnia and Herzegovina, including representatives from higher education institutions, relevant ministries, and quality assurance agencies. The event included the presentation of an information brochure on micro-credentials and discussions on the steps needed for their effective adoption.

Participants emphasized the need for stronger cooperation among all actors, the establishment of a clear legislative framework, and the integration of quality assurance measures aligned with the national qualifications framework. They also highlighted the importance of linking higher education with labour market needs, promoting lifelong learning, ensuring transparency, and enabling the accumulation of micro-credentials toward formal qualifications.

ENHANCING IMPACT: PROPOSED NEXT STEPS

• Strengthen cooperation among key stakeholders, including national and regional authorities, education and training institutions, employers, and social partners, to ensure coordinated development of micro-credentials.
• Align micro-credentials with labour market needs by consulting industry representatives to identify relevant competencies and address current skill shortages.
• Follow European principles and standards to ensure transparency, recognition, and quality in the design and issuance of micro-credentials.

• Conduct broader consultations and awareness initiatives to integrate micro-credentials into lifelong learning, digital transformation, and employability strategies, including stronger links with secondary and post-secondary education.

   

RESOURCES AND BACKGROUND MATERIAL

• Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) (2023).
  Micro-credentials for lifelong learning and employability: Uses and possibilities. OECD Education Policy Perspectives, No 66. Paris: OECD Publishing. Available at: https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/micro-credentials-for-lifelong-learning-and-employability_9c4b7b68-en.html

• Marr, B. (2018).
  What is Industry 4.0? Here’s a super-easy explanation for anyone. Forbes, 2 September 2018. Available at: https://www.forbes.com/sites/bernardmarr/2018/09/02/what-is-industry-4-0-heres-a-super-easy-explanation-for-anyone/

• Desmarchelier, R. & Cary, L. J. (2022).
  Toward just and equitable micro-credentials: An Australian perspective. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 19, Article 25. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-022-00332-y

• Gurdgiev, C. (2016).
  Human capital and the age of change. TEDxDublin talk, YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1sueM_jhSk

• Yang, G., Elliott, R., Fanna, G. & Clayton, J. (2019).
  Micro-credentials in professional and technical vocational education and training: A cultural self-approach. Position paper. Whakatāne: Awanuiārangi Press.

• O’Keeffe, W. (2022).
  Micro-credentials. Presentation delivered at EARLALL, Brussels, 10 May 2022. Brussels: European Association of Regional and Local Authorities for Lifelong Learning. Available at: https://www.earlall.eu/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/William-OKeeffe_Micro-credentials_EARLALL_10-May-2022.pdf

• Francis, E. (2022).
  SwissCore – Micro-credentials. Presentation delivered at EARLALL, Brussels, 12 May 2022. Brussels: European Association of Regional and Local Authorities for Lifelong Learning. Available at: https://www.earlall.eu/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Emma-Francis-SwissCore-12.05.22.pdf

• Marfil, C. (2022).
  Micro-credentials: National reforms in vocational education and training and adult learning. Brussels: European Association of Regional and Local Authorities for Lifelong Learning. Available at: https://www.earlall.eu/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Cristina-Marfil_Micro-credentials.pdf

• Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (2022).
  Core competency framework for pharmacists (Version 2). Dublin: Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland. Available at: https://www.psi.ie/sites/default/files/2024-06/PSI_Core_Competency_Framework.pdf

• Council of the European Union (2022).
  Council Recommendation of 16 June 2022 on a European approach to micro-credentials for lifelong learning and employability (2022/C 243/02). Official Journal of the European Union, C 243, 27 June 2022. Available at: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32022H0627(02)