EODLW2020: European MOOCs for the Labour Market; Microcredentials for continuing education
Channel: EDEN Digital Learning Europe
Date: 2020-11-07

According to recent sources, many European countries are not going to reach attainment targets set for either higher education completion or for lifelong learning. That’s a worry when you consider that 40% of European employers face problems with recruiting employees with the right qualifications.
So even though the workforce is in real need of continuous learning opportunities – the current education and training offer is structurally not enough. 
The EMC-LM project is addressing this specific challenge by combining the world of education and training (universities, MOOC platforms) and the world of work (Public Employment Services, companies, sectoral organisations). 
 
To achieve the objectives outlined above we involve individual learners and learners who are collectively served by public employment services, universities or companies, MOOC platforms and  higher education institutions.  
Next we address employment services, companies, social partners and decision makers at different levels (EU, national) to ensure coherent policies in the use of MOOCs in different countries.
 
In concerted actions and dialogue we strengthen the relevance and connection of MOOC-based offerings and short learning programmes for the labour market. The project has a direct relation with online continuous education policies aiming at scalable, high quality and efficient provisions for continuous education/continuous professional development in European countries, which will be illustrated. Essential element in supporting continuing education is the development of microcredentials. In relation to this the European MOOC Consortium (EMC) developed the Common Microcredential Framework (CMF).
 
The CMF aims to encourage the development of qualifications that will better meet the needs of modern learners anywhere in the world. The framework helps you gain knowledge and skills at a higher education level in smaller units, delivered in a way that fits around your lifestyle and tailored to meet your interests and needs. It also allows for learning to be recognised towards formal qualifications in a seamless way. The Common Microcredential Framework (CMF) uses the European Qualification Framework (and other national qualification frameworks of recognised universities) to provide high-quality courses that award academic credit.
 
The CMF applies to MOOC programs and short learning programs online as well as to other short higher education programs for continuous education/continuous professional development. The university networks behind the EMC platforms support the Common Microcredential Framework.
 
https://emc.eadtu.eu/emc-lm
 
Moderator:
Ebba Ossiannilsson
EDEN EC, EDEN SIG TEL QE, EDEN NAP, EDEN Council of Fellows, ICDE EC, ICDE OER Advocacy Committee, Chair, Swedish Association for Distance Education, Digital Job and Skills Coalition Sweden, Swedish Institute for Standards, ISO

Panelists:
George Ubachs

Catherine Mongenet
CEO of FUN-MOOC

http://www.eden-online.org/eden_conference/eodlw-2020-12/
https://www.eden-online.org/eden_conference/european-online-and-distance-learning-week-2020/
https://www.eden-online.org/