MiCreS

European micro-credentials and professional qualifications certification system in the banking & financial services sector

Jan. 2024 – Dec. 2026 | Erasmus+ | ERASMUS-EDU-2023-PI-FORWARD-LOT2 | Progetto n. 101132961 | Priority 4: Micro-credentials for employability

Background

This proposal brings together a number of leading education, training and representative bodies in the EU. Each of the Consortium partners brings a set of complimentary experiences and expertise aligned to the proposal’s objectives.

VET specifications:

To further develop the potential of micro-credentials, the projects should address 1 or a combinationof the following areas:

  • Micro-credentials for a more inclusive labour market: how can micro-credentials be usedwithin skills ecosystems, active labour market policies (i.e. employment services, training support and employment incentives) to support employability and inclusion for disadvantaged groups including such as young people, minimum income recipients, the long-term unemployed, persons with disabilities and the low-qualified in EU labour markets.
  • Micro-credentials for the green transition: how can micro-credentials be designed, delivered and updated to equip people with the necessary skills for the green transition based on use of labour market skills intelligence and input from employers, industry and social partners.
  • Portability of micro-credentials: how can we make best use of digitalisation, open standards and authentication services, including European Digital Credentials for Learning (part of Europass), to enable the portability of micro-credentials between countries, employers, education and training and employment systems

Aim

The overall aim of the project is to develop a European system for the certification of Professional Qualifications and related micro-credentials, implementing a prototype certification on ESG for the banking and financial services sector in Europe and in third countries and assessing the viability of a blockchain solution for the verification, storing and sharing of such credentials.

 

Objectives

The main Project’s purpose is to provide innovative and flexible learning opportunities for employees and students who need to acquire or enhance their certified competences and skills related to ESG.

  • This aim meets an increasing need for banks and financial institutions: to provide staff with fundamental knowledge and competences for tackling the ESG goals.
  • The structure of the certification system, based mainly on ESG training courses for microcredentials, which are recognised at a specific EQF level and included in national qualifications frameworks and uploaded onto a blockchain credentialling platform aims at assuring the quality and portability of the acquired skills, thus fostering mobility and employability.
  • The blended modality of the training delivery and the use of digital platforms and tools
  • Blockchain technology will ensure accessibility and inclusiveness for a wide public of beneficiaries.
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Results:

  • WP1: Project management and coordination;
  • WP2: Development of infrastructure for professional accreditation of micro-credentials as part of micro-credential ecosystem for financial services sector;
  • WP3: Development of accreditated micro-credential in green finance in Ireland and Malta ;
  • WP4: Development of a prototype for micro credentialing on the EdQ blockchain;
  • WP5: Impact and dissemination.

The specific outcomes of the proposal are:

  • Develop an ecosystem for micro-credentials in financial services in Europe that provides  Straight forward access to acquiring future skills and competences for a range of learners with  transparent, transportable, quality assured education.
  • Deliver on the potential of micro-credentials to address skills challenges in financial services in Europe, including skills shortages and bottlenecks, supporting green and digital transitions.
  • Develop a stackable micro-credential prototype in sustainable finance, leading to a European Foundation Certificate in Sustainable Finance.
  • Building on the world’s first in production blockchain-based education credentialing platform in financial services, develop a prototype digital wallet for individuals to store and share verified credentials. Linked with Europass, this would offer optimum portability of credentials for Individuals working in financial services and substantial workload efficiencies for employers, recruiters, academic institutions, and professional bodies.

The outcomes embed the critical objectives of supporting an inclusive labour market, green transition and mobility.

Website:

www.micresproject.com

Social media:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/micresproject/

 

PARTNERSHIP:

Applicant:
FS-Frankfurt School of Finance & Management (DE) 

Partners:

  • EBTN, European Banking and Financial Services Training Association (BE)
  • EfVET, European Forum for Vocational Education & Training (BE)
  • BPFI, Banking & Payments Federation Ireland (IE)
  • IOB, Institute of B ankers in Ireland (IE)
  • Effebi, Finance & Banking Associazione per lo Sviluppo Organiozzativo e delle Risorse Umane (IT)
  • MUBE, Malta Union of Bank Employees (MT)
  • IFS-Institute of Financial Services (MT)
  • MBA, Macedonian Banking Association (Macedonia del nord)
  • RBI, Romanian Banking Institute (RO)
  • ASB, Association of Serbian Banks (Serbia)
  • IEF, Institut d’Estudis Financers (ES)IFE, Istanbul Institute of Finance (TR)

 

Project Outcomes
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