In the WAMbinar “Microcredentials in the German Dual System” we present and discuss the main findings of the recent study “Microcredentials – Potential, Limitations, and Applicability of the Concept in Labor Market-Related Vocational Training Systems” by Dr. Harry Stolte and Prof. Georg Spöttl, commissioned by the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB).
Microcredentials are increasingly seen as a key instrument for lifelong learning and flexible education pathways. Yet, as the study shows, their transferability into company-based dual vocational training systems raises fundamental questions. While offering new opportunities, microcredentials also reveal systemic tensions around competence orientation, quality assurance, and recognition practices. The findings caution against an uncritical adoption that could endanger the proven strengths of dual training, and instead call for a nuanced debate on their role in vocational education.
In this WAMbinar, the authors will share their insights and reflections, followed by a discussion on the challenges and opportunities for integrating microcredentials into vocational training systems.
We will also hear from representatives of the Piedmont Region, who are launching, within the framework of the MiCRET Policy Experimentation, a technical committee to support the integration of microcredentials within their regional vocational education and training framework.
Join us for an engaging and critical dialogue on the future of microcredentials in vocational education and training.
WAMbinar Agenda
Welcome, Opening Remarks
10:00 AM – 10:10 AM | Oonagh McGirr, Director at WAM Foundation
- Opening Remarks
- Overview of Webinar Objectives
10:10 AM – 10:20 AM | Christiane Eberhardt, Senior Policy Officer at BIBB
- The Project and systemic approach
10:20 AM – 10:30 AM | Georg Spöttl, Director at Institute Technology and Education University of Bremen
- The Publication
10:35 AM – 10:50 AM | Harry Stolte, Senior Consultant at UNEVOC Centre “TVET for Sustainable Development” Magdeburg
- Main Findings: Frictions & Open Questions
Q&A
11:15 AM – 11:30 AM | Stefano Tirati, CEO at Learningdigital
- MiCRET: Policy Experimentation & Lessons Learned from today’s event
Background Links & Documents
- Microcredentials – Potenziale, Limitierungen und Anwendbarkeit des Konzepts in arbeitsmarktbezogenen Berufsbildungssystemen (DE)
- Microcredentials – Potential, limitations and applicability of the concept in labour-market-related vocational education and training systems (EN)
- MiCRET Policy Experimentation (EN)
