Project backgroud

We strengthen the capacity of Universities of Applied Sciences to develop continuous learning educational products, with a particular focus on the design, implementation, and visibility of micro-credentials, in order to maintain, enhance, and renew the competences of working life and the working-age population.

Micro-credentials are short, targeted learning units designed to complement and update previously acquired competences. They are not degree programmes but clearly defined sets of skills and knowledge that address specific needs in working life. Micro-credentials are developed through national cooperation among Finnish higher education institutions and in alignment with development work carried out at the European level.

Project goals

1. To strengthen the capacity of higher education institutions to design continuous learning products and to define relevant learning content in close cooperation with working life, taking labour market needs into account.
2. To develop unified operational models for higher education institutions for the design, quality assurance, implementation, assessment, and recognition of learning outcomes in continuous learning, with a particular focus on micro-credentials and alignment with the national qualifications framework.
3. To define common quality criteria for micro-credentials that are applicable in both national and European contexts.
4. To increase the visibility, recognition, and perceived value of continuous learning and micro-credentials within higher education institutions and in working life.

Project activities

Laurea University of Applied Sciences leads Work Package 1 on capacity building which have following activities.

1. Identifying roles and competence needs
   • The project identifies the key roles related to continuous learning within Universities of Applied Sciences.
   • The competence needs and existing capabilities of staff working in these roles are mapped through a competence analysis, with a particular focus on the development and delivery of micro-credentials.
2. Design and delivery of a joint training programme
   • Based on the results of the competence analysis, a joint modular training programme is designed for higher education staff. The programme addresses the competence needs of different roles related to the planning and implementation of micro-credentials.
   • The training programme is delivered at each participating University of Applied Sciences.
3. Strengthening internal cooperation within higher education institutions
   • The project strengthens dialogue between RDI staff and educational staff and develops institutional structures that support sustained cooperation and joint prioritisation based on agreed criteria for micro-credentials.
4. Implementation and digitalisation of the training programme
   • The training programme is designed and produced in a digital format to enable open, wide-ranging, and long-term use, for example in staff induction and capacity-building activities.

Target audience

The primary target group of the project is the staff of universities of applied sciences, including continuous learning experts, education planners, teachers, RDI experts, quality managers, and other personnel involved in continuous learning.

The secondary target groups include working life, companies, adult learners, national and regional authorities and organizations, as well as European University Alliances.

5AMK network

The implementers responsible for the AMKmicro project constitute the 5AMK network. The network includes South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences, Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, Laurea University of Applied Sciences, Häme University of Applied Sciences and Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences.