According to UNESCO, a microcredential is a record of a focused learning achievement verifying what the learner knows, understands or can do; includes an assessment based on clearly defined standards and is awarded by a trusted provider; has stand-alone value and may also contribute to or complement other microcredentials or “miacrocredentials”, including through recognition of prior learning; and meets the standards required by relevant quality assurance. 

There is no doubt that microcredentials are disrupting today’s learning and training systems. They offer a flexible alternative to traditional qualifications, allowing individuals to develop and validate skills attained in formal, non-formal, or informal learning environments, and demonstrate competencies. As microcredentials gain traction, they are increasingly seen as a tool for individuals to showcase their skills and for employers to assess workforce readiness.  

The question is: Do the completion of microcredentials support youth to transition into the labour market?

There are many views on this question; views that are accompanied by a wide range of promises and pitfalls which may not be easy to substantiate with empirical evidence.

In order to respond to this shifting landscape, the ILO, UNICEF, Generation Unlimited and The Global Initiative on Decent Jobs for Youth, commissioned a study titled “Microcredentials for Youth and Work”. As noted in the foreword, the report is based on four illustrative cases from around the world, showing that: 

….the usage of microcredentials by a sample of governments, companies, international organizations, and non-profit organizations, and sheds light on good practices in developing and deploying microcredentials. We [ILO and UNICEF] hope this report will serve as a valuable resource for policymakers and other stakeholders that consider introducing microcredentials in their skills development toolkit. 

This YouthForesight webinar will bring together practitioners, industry leaders and youth to present the report findings including regional and country-level examples and address critical questions about the promises and pitfalls of microcredentials. 

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OBJECTIVES

• To discuss the promises and pitfalls of microcredentials in enhancing employability and career development for youth.
• To hear from youth whether the completion of microcredentials have supported them to transition into the labour market.
• To take stock of the evolution of microcredentials in this fast-changing landscape, including the impact of generative AI on new forms of credentialling. 

WHO CAN ATTEND

The event is open to anyone interested in global and regional employment trends and intergenerational dynamics. Attendees will have the opportunity to share their own experiences and insights through polls and moderated questions to the panellists.


DETAILS 

• Date: 03 April, 2025
• Time: 8:00 AM EST | 2:00 PM Geneva
• Duration: 1 hour
  
  

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SPEAKERS


James Keevy
Author “Microcredentials for Youth and Work”, JET Education Services
Panellist

James Keevy is an experienced policy researcher that has worked in South Africa, Africa and internationally for the last 30 years. Following 13 years at the South African Qualifications Authority in research policy and international liaison capacities, he joined JET Education Services in 2014 as the chief executive. His specific areas of expertise include qualifications, the recognition of learning, digitalisation, and the professionalisation and migration of teachers. He has worked closely with several international agencies, including UNESCO, UNESCO UNEVOC, OECD, ILO, UNICEF, World Bank, Commonwealth Secretariat, Commonwealth of Learning, SADC Secretariat, African Union Commission and others. At present his main expertise lies in the ability to oversee large multinational research and evaluation teams to execute programmes in a robust and efficient manner. He brings a strong international network and perspective that has translated into a wide range of published research, most recently, this includes a mapping study on qualifications for the African Union Commission, as well as the development of microcredentials frameworks in a range of countries.



Bassem Nasir
Education Specialist, UNICEF
Panellist

Bassem Nasir is an Education Specialist at UNICEF who is based in New York leading the work on Secondary Education and Skills. His portfolio includes the strengthening of multiple flexible pathways to Secondary Education and supporting governments in the integration of skills including life skills in curriculum, teacher practices, and assessment as well as non-formal education.  Bassem has over 24  years of extensive leadership experience in education, youth development, entrepreneurship, sustainability, and corporate responsibility having worked with a broad range of multilateral organizations, corporations, NGOs, governments, and academic institutions. At the International Youth Foundation (IYF), he served as the Director of Programs leading a portfolio of youth empowerment, employability, and life skills related programs. At Intel Corporation, he served as the MENA Regional Education Manager driving the company’s corporate responsibility programs in the region working with Ministries of Education and Higher Education to enhance quality of education through technology.



Noreen FitzPatrick
Employee Development Manager of the Enterprise, Employment and Skills Unit, SOLAS
Panellist

Noreen FitzPatrick is the Employee Development Manager in the Enterprise Employment and Skills unit in SOLAS, the Further Education Authority of Ireland. She is responsible for the implementation of the Skills to Advance Policy initiative in Ireland which is a targeted skilling, upskilling and reskilling initiative. It aims to address the skills requirements of those at work with low skills or to develop critical skills in emergent areas such as AI, sustainability, digital, robotics, transversal, business innovation and market development. Employee Development supports the development and implementation of the Further Education and Training (FET) policy framework on skills development for the employed, to enhance levels of employee participation in FET, in alignment with the National Skills Strategy.

Noreen has led out on the development of a suite of micro-qualifications in critical skill areas -sustainability, digital, AI, etc. - to address skills gaps to future proof skills to develop an agile workforce. This codesign of new awards has been done in collaboration with key enterprise and sectoral agencies to ensure relevance for industry. She has extensive experience working with learning networks and enterprise to upskill in priority skill areas to ensure competitiveness and skills development in industry.



Peter Kodjie
Secretary-General, All Africa Students Union
Panellist

Peter Kwasi Kodjie is currently the Secretary-General of the All-Africa Students Union (AASU), representing African students in education policy on intergovernmental bodies. He has been an influential voice in the Tuning Africa Project Advisory Group (TAPAG) Phase II, the Harmonization of African Higher Education Quality Assurance and Accreditation (HAQAA) Initiative and the Africa Continental Qualifications Framework (ACQF). Peter serves on the Governing Council of the Magna Charta Observatory (MCO) and chairs the board of Students Organising for Sustainability International. Additionally, he is a founding member of the Global Student Forum (GSF) and a founding Trustee of the 100 Million Campaign. As a Steering Committee Member for the Youth Mobility for Africa Flagship Initiative and the CAPSI-MasterCard Foundation Project, Peter advocates for enhanced learning opportunities, youth empowerment, and climate justice.



Shivansh Shalabh
Young People's Action Team, Generation Unlimited
Youth Representative

Shivansh Shalabh, 19, is transforming education with his startup, EduAI. His AI-powered app, Attentive, is enhancing online learning, while NoteCraft, another AI tool, supports learners with special needs. At the University at Buffalo, Shivansh, a Presidential Honors Scholar, focuses on AI and cybersecurity. He leads the Google Developer Student Clubs, organizing tech sessions and hackathons. His work also extends to the Jagriti Foundation, where he supports families, and the Holistic Kids Foundation, where he develops applications to assist children with special needs.



Sophia Helal
Young People's Action Team, Generation Unlimited
Youth Representative

Sophia Helal, 13, is a passionate advocate for climate action and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As the youngest Egypt Shabab Balad GenU Champion, she was selected for the 2024 Young People’s Action Team (YPAT) and elected to the GenU Global Leadership Council. She also serves on the P2E Youth Advisory Group, ensuring youth voices shape decision-making. Committed to self-education, she has completed multiple courses to expand her knowledge.


Yasmine Sibahi
Young People's Action Team, Generation Unlimited
Youth Representative

Yasmine Sibahi is a young leader from Côte d'Ivoire, passionate about education, youth employability, and community engagement. She holds a bachelor's degree in linguistics and is currently pursuing a master's degree in language sciences with a specialization in adult literacy. She is dedicated to promoting inclusive and quality education.

As a member of the Young People Action Team (YPAT) of GenU-UNICEF, she actively contributes to international initiatives aimed at strengthening young people's skills and facilitating their professional integration. Her commitment has led her to work on impactful projects such as organizing the U-Kidlect literary competition and promoting micro-certifications and online learning. As a Yoma ambassador, Yasmine guides young people in exploring the opportunities offered by this platform, which provides free access to certified skills training. Through her experience, she highlights the importance of micro-certifications in enhancing youth employability and easing their transition into the job market.



Pedro Moreno da Fonseca
Technical Specialist on Lifelong Learning | SKILLS, ILO
Moderator

Pedro Moreno da Fonseca is a Lifelong Learning Specialist at ILO headquarters, in Geneva. He carries out research and provides support to ILO’s constituents in the development of national skills and lifelong learning systems. His portfolio also includes skills policies and governance, social partner engagement, financing of lifelong learning, skills utilisation, and qualification systems development. Prior to the ILO, he worked as an expert in Cedefop, the European Union agency for vocational education and training. He holds a BA and a MA from the Lisbon School of Economics and Management and a PhD from the University of Porto.


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