What are the topics addressed by the BREVET project?

• Digital skills and competences
• Micro-credentials
• Recognition, Transparency, Certification

Main objective

BREVET aims to foster the use of innovative tools in skills recognition in the VET sector through the enhancement of digital credentials.

Specifically, we intend to connect the European approach to micro-credentials, the multilingual classification of European Skills, Competences, Qualifications and Occupations (ESCO) and the European Digital Credentials ecosystem, to create and pilot an innovative digital accreditation tool. This way, we develop expertise and institutional capacity building in the use of digital tools by improving digital competences of European citizens. The project’s digital output will also serve to align skills gains to the terminology and categorisation of skills throughout the EU, leveraging thus portability and recognition of skills.

Contributing to innovation in vocational education and training

The project is designed to bring substantial change in the VET accreditations system by making it more efficient and future-oriented to the needs of European economies and societies.

By developing and testing a tool that will facilitate the automatic connection of open badges to the issuing of credentials (and possibly Europass) BREVET implements an innovative accreditation approach that will contribute to the adoption of a lifelong learning culture and will foster employability. Additionally, we seek to provide a new VET service to students, workers, companies and governments that will result in the reinforcement of individuals’ career paths, as the visibility of skills will be more user-friendly and efficient.

Improving quality assurance in vocational education and training

BREVET highly prioritises the development of quality VET assurance and accreditation systems delivered by both public and private entities. In particular, the project aims to create a methodology that will connect forms of micro-credentials recognition (e.g. open badges) with skills acquired by citizens. To do so, we will set-up and pilot a digital accreditation tool, in line with the European Approach to micro-credentials.

Through this project, we seek to support preparedness of micro-credentials VET providers and forge a coherent approach to recognise micro-credentials achievements throughout EU Member States and stakeholders.

What are the motivations for the project?

• Cross-national alignment to EU priorities

The project connects several European priorities related to skills recognition, flexibility of learning and digital transformation of the job market and to apply them to the VET sector.

1. These priorities and recent EU developments are:
   The Europass digital credentials (https://europa.eu/europass/digital-credentials/issuer/#/home ), and to its technical development,
2. The Europass Digital Credentials Infrastructure (EDCI, https://ec.europa.eu/futurium/en/europass/europass-digital-credentials-infrastructure.html) and
3. The Digital Education Action plan, whose Action 3 proposes the integration of digitally-signed qualifications in Europass.

Regarding the legal framework, the project is built on several EU decisions, namely the Decision 2018/646 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 April 2018 on a common framework for the provision of better services for skills and qualifications (Europass).

• Facilitation of accreditation processes

The facilitation of accreditation processes takes place by connecting digital credentials with the ESCO taxonomy, will thus bridge credentials and skills. The software we plan to produce will allow institutions to issue digital credentials (in the form of badges) and we will explore the bridging of this system with Europass (the European Digital Credentials Infrastructure). This way, it will be much more quick and efficient to provide an overview of a learner’s skillset with this proof of recognition (which can then be used by a learner/trainee in his Europass CV). As partners representing institutions in sectors where skills accreditation is of utmost importance, this development aids the transparency and effectiveness of issuing certifications, beneficial to various stakeholders. Knowing about the use of the created middleware through piloting and testing, the same also enables the reinforcement of career paths because of the visibility of skills.

In conclusion, the BREVET project facilitates work processes at various levels by employing a comprehensive and EU-wide language that aids the future workforce to showcase their skillset in the European marketplace and beyond. This allows associated practices and ecosystems to improve their capacities as well, leading to new services and opportunities that are not available or possible with non-digital credentials. This enhanced recognition system will bridge the gap between informal, non-formal and formal recognition, adding value to the entire VET sector and setting an example for other sectors.

An innovative approach

• Build a transparent and efficient skills

Recognition system in the VET sector Innovation is the heart of the BREVET project since existing accreditation systems are pulled together and enhanced with a software (part of which will be open source) that connects them to allow skill accreditation and their display in a much more efficient, transparent and transferable way. This not only fosters digital readiness, resilience and capacity building for private and public entities but also European citizens’ digital abilities and trust in the EU digital infrastructure.

• Foster digital credentials in the VET sector as a means to enhance employability

Micro-credential accreditation is going to be a rapidly evolving means to promote lifelong learning which is key to any VET provider that needs to employ future-oriented methodologies to produce a highly skilled and competitive workforce capable of navigating European societies into the post-pandemic era. The automated process, which will be generated by developing a middleware that links recent EU developments in skill recognition and accreditation, is as unique as efficient to enhance employability across Europe. This will be especially beneficial in the light of recent developments in Europe and beyond where global citizenship is no longer a commonplace phrase. The composition of this partnership is very promising since experts from interdisciplinary fields join to leverage digital transformation, skill recognition and employability.

• Increase the social innovation dimension of open recognition systems and their contribution to fighting climate change

BREVET is a great contribution to the global fight against the consequences of climate change through the green transition of the accreditation systems. The project enhances paperless accreditation by implementing the latest research findings in digital advancements, thus promoting eco-friendly attitudes in the VET sector.