- Funding Programme
- Year
- 2023
Skills Intelligence Strategy for Higher Education
The European Commission supported the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities to deepen its understanding of micro-credentials and skills intelligence systems. The project has delivered a proposal for a new strategic framework and practical tools to enable higher education institutions in Spain to design high-quality university micro-credentials, in response to the changing needs of society and the labour market.
Context
Responding to the EU's priorities on the green and digital transitions, lifelong learning and the Recovery and Resilience Facility, the project addressed the disconnect between traditional higher education pathways and the needs of the rapidly evolving labour market. Spain needed a clearer strategy to develop university micro-credentials and stronger skills intelligence systems to guide universities. The main challenges included limited standardisation, varying institutional capacities, and the need to improve coordination between public administrations, universities, and labour market actors. The project supported these gaps through EU-funded analyses, benchmarking, and pilots.
Support delivered
The project, funded by the European Commission through the Technical Support Instrument and implemented with SG REFORM, supported the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities between 2023 and 2025. The provider carried out analytical research, international benchmarking, stakeholder interviews, study visits, validation committees, national training sessions, and a pilot with voluntary universities from all over Spain. These activities were designed to build a solid understanding of Spain's skills needs and the current micro-credential landscape. The support enabled the development of a National Skills Intelligence Strategy and a practical Toolkit to help higher education institutions design university micro- credentials aligned with labour market demands.
Results achieved
The project implemented a comprehensive Skills Intelligence Strategy for Higher Education at the national level, including an Action Plan and a practical Toolkit for micro-credential design. These tools are expected to strengthen the capacity of universities to identify labour market needs and translate them into high-quality, targeted university micro-credentials. Stakeholders, including the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities and higher education institutions, gained practical knowledge, methodological guidance, and collaborative frameworks. The project fostered an alignment with EU skills priorities, promoted lifelong learning, and is expected to improve employability, inclusion, and adaptability in the Spanish labour market, supporting evidence-based decision-making and future upskilling initiatives.
More about the project
You can read the documents related to the project here: