The Future of Professional Education: Government, Universities, and Business Discussed Microcredentials

How can we respond effectively to the constantly changing labour market and connect academia with the real needs of companies?These were the questions explored by participants at the expert conference“Microcredentials: a new standard in professional education?”, organized by Unicorn University. During the discussion sessions, concrete proposals were presented on how to turn this modern format into an effective tool for higher employability and business development.

One vision, three connected worlds

The main goal of the meeting of representatives of government, universities, and the commercial sector was to define how microcredentials should be approached so that they do not remain just “another bundle of courses,” but become a recognized standard.

“Microcredentials have enormous potential. But we must build them around the real needs of the labour market and in close cooperation with employers,” was said in the discussion.“Creating microcredentials solely from study programmes has not proved effective.”

Universities have a major advantage in this ecosystem:they are able to guarantee top quality, have a stable foundation, and enjoy long-term trust.If they also join forces with business partners, this type of education becomes highly relevant for the market.

The discussion among representatives of academia, ministries (MEYS, MLSA), the National Accreditation Bureau (NAÚ), the Labour Office (ÚP), and the Regional Chamber of Commerce Brno brought several key topics to the table:

• Quality assurance as the foundation of trust: Professor Miller (NAÚ) confirmed that microcredentials carry significant weight in the education market. However, Rector Unicorn University Jan Čadil pointed out that the system still lacks an independent expert body to assess their quality. Participants from all sides fully agreed that establishing such an authority is essential if universities and companies are to mutually recognize microcredentials.
• Limits of the current course offer: Traditional retraining courses are often no longer sufficient. At the same time, standard commercial courses do respond quickly to the market, but they often struggle with low quality standards.
• Where should people look for courses?A single point of access: The promotion strategy sparked a lively discussion. Participants debated whether the main gateway should be the Czech National Agency for International Education and Research, the portal www.studujnavs.gov.cz, or whether the role of the main guarantor should be taken over, for example, by the Ministry of Industry and Trade or the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs.
• Added value for small and medium-sized enterprises: For smaller companies that do not have the budgets to develop their own education systems, microcredentials represent an effective solution. If they are also created in cooperation with business partners, companies gain confidence that they are not buying random courses on the market, but rather verified and practical education.

Flexibility in practice: A new course in just 3 months

One of the greatest benefits of microcredentials is their speed. In response to a question from the Ministry of Education regarding preparation time, experts stated that a course worth 2–6 credits can be fully prepared for delivery in around 3 months.

The exact timeline naturally depends on the complexity of the materials involved (whether these are text-based presentations or advanced video lectures and learning applications). However, this speed clearly demonstrates the ability of the MC format to respond immediately to current technological and market changes.

Personal reflections and statements from the speakers

“I greatly appreciate the active personal involvement of all panelists and a very engaged audience. It was clear that all parties involved had a genuine interest in the topic, and that gives real meaning to all of our efforts.” — Ivana Rykrová, Head of Professional Education Production at Unicorn University

Our expert partnerJan Beseda, Director of the Association of Professional Tertiary Education (SPTV), who has long been involved in this area, also commented on the topic and the significance of the conference:

“Microcredentials represent a major step forward in the digitalization and permeability of Czech higher education. They essentially work as a flexible building set – allowing people to add exactly the competences currently demanded by the labour market, all within guaranteed university-level quality. The key to the success of the whole ecosystem now lies in setting clear standards and closer integration with the Labour Office and employers, so that these certificates carry real weight for companies.” — Mgr. et Mgr. Jan Beseda, Ph.D., Director of SPTV

Want to know more?

Complete information about the programme, speakers, and opportunities to get involved can be found directly on theofficial conference page on the Unicorn University.

If you are interested in the current range of microcredentials offered by Unicorn University, please visit our website: https://unicornuniversity.net/cs/microcredential

“Once again, thank you to all partners and guests for a great discussion, and I look forward to the next steps we will take together in professional education!”

– Ivana Rykrová

Unicorn University