Micro credentials are all the rage in the world of education right now.

But what exactly are they?

And do they deserve all the fuss created around them?

And who benefits from acquiring them? With the European Year of Skills in full swing,

how can we make microcredentials work for as many as possible?

Welcome to Sedefop's Skill Set and Match podcast. I'm PANOS Polizohydis and with me to discuss micro-credentials are Paul Granger, an honorary

research associate at University College London and SEDEFOP expert, Anastasia Pouliu, who coordinates the agency's relevant project.

Welcome and thank you for joining us.

Hello, it's very pleasant to be here.

Hello, Panos. Thank you very much.

Let's start with the basics. Do we have a clear definition of microcredentials or is there

still any uncertainty around? There are different terms that are currently being used, for example,

micro-certifications, micro-qualifications, badges, partial or even supplementary qualifications

are quite often, let's say, linked to this idea of microcredentials.

So in essence, well, the definition is still there at a European level, but countries are a bit trying to find their way,

try to see what works best in their context.

Of course, we need to consider that microcredentials as a phenomenon is not new

although they have let's say proliferated across European countries quite a lot

it's only recently that they have gained this EU-wide attention in policy debates

however we should not forget that they are not an effort to reinvent the will

they are a tool that is rather opening doors and offers new possibilities.

Paul, would you say that microcredentials are more prevalent

...