AMKmicro

AMKmicro — Continuous learning and micro-credentials for working life development

Project information

Project title	AMKmicro — Continuous learning and micro-credentials for working life development
Duration	1.4.2025-31.3.2027
Implementing organisations	South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences (Coordinator) Metropolia University of Applied Sciences (Partner) Laurea University of Applied Sciences (Partner) Häme University of Applied Sciences (Partner) Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences (Partner)
Funders	European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment for North Ostrobothnia
Programme	Renewing and Competent Finland 2021–2027 – EU Regional and Structural Policy Programme
Budget	785 946 € of which 627 500 € is funded by the EU

In the AMKmicro project, we strengthen universities of applied sciences’ capabilities to develop continuous learning — particularly the offering, design, implementation, and visibility of micro-credentials — to maintain, enhance, and renew the skills of the working-age population and working life.

The project aims to create unified structures and operational models for higher education institutions to produce continuous learning educational products, especially micro-credentials, in collaboration with working life. The development work takes into account the specific expertise generated by each institution’s RDI (Research, Development, and Innovation) activities, as well as national and European priorities.

As a result of the project, staff at universities of applied sciences will be capable of creating competence-based continuous learning products that proactively respond to skill needs — particularly micro-credentials that are recognized and valued in working life. Concrete outputs include a digital training package for higher education staff, a co-development planning model for higher education institutions and working life partners, and materials related to foresight, competence-based design, and identifying skill needs.

These actions will improve the ability of universities of applied sciences to respond to rapidly changing and growing competence needs in continuous learning, support the renewal of working life and business, and address societal and economic challenges. The developed models will be applicable nationwide and disseminated widely through the networks and contacts of five major higher education institutions.

Target group

The primary target group of the project is the staff of universities of applied sciences, including continuous learning experts, education planners, teachers, quality managers, and other personnel involved in continuous learning.

The secondary target groups include working life, companies, adult learners, national and regional authorities and organizations, as well as European University Alliances.

Operating area

The universities in the 5AMK network are located in Southern and Southeastern Finland, as well as in the Kanta-Häme region. The project brings benefits both regionally and nationally by advancing continuous learning—particularly the development of micro-credentials—and by supporting the maintenance and renewal of skills among the workforce and working-age population.

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Project goals

To strengthen the capacity of higher education institutions in learning design for continuous learning and in identifying relevant learning content in collaboration with working life, taking into account its needs.
To create unified operational models for higher education institutions for the planning, quality assurance, implementation, evaluation, and validation of continuous learning offerings—particularly micro-credentials—aligned with the national framework.
To define general quality criteria for micro-credentials that are valid in both national and European contexts.
To increase the awareness and appreciation of continuous learning and micro-credentials within higher education institutions and working life.

Expected Results and Impacts of the Project

Key Results:

A digital training package for higher education staff.
A co-creation model for use by higher education institutions and working life.
Materials for identifying competence needs in working life.

Key Impacts:

Higher education institutions will be able to respond quickly to emerging competence needs.
Working life will benefit from recognized and valuable micro-credentials.
The developed models can be scaled nationally and shared across European networks.

5AMK network

The implementing partners of the AMKmicro project form the 5AMK network.

The network includes Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences, Häme University of Applied Sciences, South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences, Laurea University of Applied Sciences, and Metropolia University of Applied Sciences.

The 5AMK network has been collaborating since 2017. Its operations are based on long-term cooperation and shared understanding in the field of continuous learning. Over the years, the network has carried out numerous joint projects.